The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has named Joe Hoagland associate laboratory director for its Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate (FFESD), supporting its role in advancing the nation's nuclear energy capabilities and the growth of the Oak Ridge Corridor as a nuclear industry hub. In this role, Hoagland will support the laboratory's national missions and the growth of the nuclear and fusion energy sector.
"Joe brings practical leadership and significant energy expertise spanning nuclear innovation, large-scale technology deployment and high-impact partnerships," said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. "I'm confident his experience and collaborative approach will advance ORNL's fusion and fission portfolio and help position the laboratory - and the region - for continued leadership in the nation's nuclear future."
Hoagland has served as interim ALD for FFESD since December, quickly working to build connections and understanding across the directorate. He joined ORNL in 2025 as Director of Special Initiatives. In this role, he worked with leaders from around the laboratory to advance major initiatives and to help position ORNL for emerging opportunities.
"This is an incredible time for nuclear and a critical one," said Joe Hoagland, associate laboratory director of the Fusion and Fission Energy Science Directorate. "I firmly believe that nuclear energy and the viability of fusion offer the clearest path forward in meeting the nation's growing energy needs. With a rich history in the development of nuclear energy, we have the scientific know-how to advance the science and provide our industry partners with innovative, new technologies they can then run with."
He came to ORNL after more than 30 years of leadership experience with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Over his final seven years with the utility, he served as Vice President of Innovation and Research, where he led TVA's research and development portfolio focused on operational excellence, technology demonstration and deployment at scale, and preparing for the future energy system. He also guided strategy and execution across a broad technology landscape; built and leveraged deep partnerships with industry, universities and national laboratories; and led teams responsible for innovation program development and implementation.
In prior TVA leadership roles, Hoagland oversaw major stakeholder engagement efforts, integrated resource planning, environmental strategy and compliance, safety and health governance, and large multidisciplinary organizations and budgets. His extensive industry experience, along with decades of proven success developing partnerships, is critical as Tennessee attracts billions in investment from the nuclear industry.
Hoagland earned a doctorate and master's degree in physical chemistry from Washington State University and a bachelor's in chemistry from Southern Utah University. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee's Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and holds several regional and national board roles supporting energy innovation and community engagement.
"Our vision is focused on three primary goals: advance our existing nuclear energy infrastructure, put new nuclear on the grid to power industrial growth and realize the promise of fusion with a sense of urgency. I am tremendously humbled by and grateful to join such an esteemed group of scientists and professionals, whose hard work and determination will play a deciding role in a sustainable energy future," said Hoagland.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science .
