Michael H. Schlender

Mike Schlender is the former Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL). PNNL is a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science multi-program national laboratory, with over 6,400 researchers and mission support staff, serving a broad range of mission areas for DOE and for the Nation. He held the position of Deputy Lab Director and COO from 2006 to 2024.

In this capacity Mr. Schlender was responsible for safe, secure, and reliable operations, and the delivery of institutional facilities and capabilities needed to deliver innovative scientific research. During his tenure PNNL underwent a campus transformation, emerging as one of the most modern and productive National Laboratories in the DOE system.

Prior to this role as Deputy Lab Director, Mr. Schlender served as the Associate Laboratory Director for the Operational Systems Directorate, responsible for nearly 800 technical and support staff providing environmental health, radiological protection, safety, security, quality assurance, project support, and nuclear and non-nuclear facilities and infrastructure services.

During 2000-2003, he served as Deputy Manager for DOE's Richland Operations Office. In this role, he provided technical oversight, coordinated federal and contractor services, and maintained compliance performance agreements with the State of Washington and Region X EPA.  

Prior to his assignment with DOE, he served as Assistant Laboratory Director for Environmental Management at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In this capacity he was responsible for BNL's waste management operations; environmental cleanup; and nuclear facility decommissioning, deactivation, and demolition activities.

Prior to joining the DOE National Lab system in 1992, Mike has served in a number of senior relationship management and project management positions including Sydney, Australia, and in the western United States, conducting hazardous waste site investigations and cleanup work in the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Mike holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemistry and is a native of Washington State.