Dr. Anantha Krishnan and Charlene Zettel have been elected to the Board of Directors for the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF).

Krishnan currently serves as Senior Vice President for the Energy Group at General Atomics, a world leader in fusion energy research.  He previously served as the Associate Laboratory Director for Engineering at LLNL, where he was responsible for leading a diverse organization of approximately 2,400 personnel that provided the engineering science and technology capabilities to ensure the success of the Laboratory’s missions. 

He joined LLNL in 2005 after serving as a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In recognition of his efforts at DARPA, he was awarded the Medal for Exceptional Public Service by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2005. Dr. Krishnan holds a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Charlene Zettel is a former California State Assembly member representing the 75th  District from 1998-2002 and was the first Republican Latina elected to the state legislature. She was appointed to the University of California (UC) Board of Regents by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 for a 12-year term, ending March 2021.  During her tenure as a regent, she also represented UC on the Board of Governors for Lawrence Livermore National Security, (LLNS), the managing contractor of LLNL, and served as board chair for two years. 

In the non-profit area, Ms. Zettel was the Chief Executive Officer of Donate Life California, the state-authorized nonprofit administering the nation’s largest organ and tissue donor registry, serving from 2011-2016.  Ms. Zettel also served as Interim CEO for the San Diego/Imperial Counties Region of the American Red Cross in 2017. She now serves as Chair of the American Red Cross Board of Directors. Other public service included her election in 1992 and 1996 as Trustee of the Poway Unified School District Board of Education, where she twice served as President. She also was named to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board by the North San Diego County Mayors and later by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ms. Zettel received a presidential appointment in 2002 as a Public Interest Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the USC School of Dentistry.

“We are honored to have both Anantha and Charlene as new members of our board,” said Dona Crawford, Foundation board chair.  “Their dedication to public service, at both state and national levels, will help the Foundation strengthen our commitment to science and research excellence and STEM opportunities at the Lab.”   

“Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory touches every facet of our lives,” noted Charlene Zettel.  Their cutting-edge science, innovative technologies and outstanding research is changing the world we live in.  The Foundation’s role in supporting this research, as well as in broadening STEM education opportunities is paramount.  I’m honored to continue my association with our national labs by joining the Livermore Lab Foundation board of directors and I’m committed to making sure the next generation of scientists and engineers have what they need to make a difference.” 

“The capabilities and expertise that exist at the Lab to support national security missions also play an important role in addressing fundamental societal challenges of the future in areas such as climate science, healthcare and clean energy.   The Foundation is having a great impact by enabling the Lab’s science and engineering disciplines to provide innovative solutions to these challenges,” said Anantha Krishnan.  “Additionally, LLF’s support of students seeking a career in STEM also addresses the important need for developing the next generation of talent that will be required for future success in these endeavors.  I look forward to contributing my time and effort in support of the Foundation’s objectives.”