Robert Wilkinson started his new job this week as president and project manager of the Amentum-led solid-waste prime at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state.
Wilkinson, previously president of Leidos-led Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, is succeeding John Eschenberg atop Amentum-led Central Plateau Cleanup Company, which also includes Fluor and Atkins. Wilkinson’s first day with his new employer was July 8 and he assumed the leadership reins July 16, according to a spokesperson.
“I want to thank John Eschenberg for his leadership and his continuous emphasis on operational excellence and an improvement mindset,” Wilkinson said in a July 16 email to employees, viewed by Exchange Monitor.
“It’s humbling to be taking over at CPCCo [Central Plateau Cleanup Co.], as much of my early career was performing work scope under previous contractors at the Central Plateau,” Wilkinson said in the memo emailed to staff. “I know many of you from the decades I’ve spent at Hanford, and I look forward to reconnecting with you as we execute the CPCCo mission safely, efficiently and effectively. “
Eschenberg is leaving the Hanford remediation contractor to assume another executive role, yet to be announced, with Amentum, the company has said.
Central Plateau Clean has a $10-billion contract to perform remediation and protect the Columbia River. The deal started in December 2019 and is scheduled to run a decade, into December 2029.
Meanwhile, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions has turned to Amy Basche as its new acting president and Todd Synoground acting chief operations officer.
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions consists of Leidos, Centerra and Parsons. It oversees roads, grounds, security and other daily services at the nuclear cleanup complex. The team has a $4-billion Essential Services contract at Hanford. The five-year base period ends in August 2025.
Wilkinson spent about seven years at the helm of Hanford’s landlord contractor, a tenure split about evenly between Hanford Mission and its Leidos-led predecessor Mission Support Alliance The Department of Justice has accused Hanford Mission of overcharging DOE for fire protection services at Hanford between January 2021 and October 2023. Hanford Mission has denied the charges and a trial is expected in 2025.
