Bill Valdez - Principal Deputy Director
Mr. Valdez is the Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED).
Mr. Valdez's career with the Department of Energy spans over 17 years, providing him with extensive knowledge in the areas of workforce development, budget planning, diversity and equal opportunity issues, science policy, corporate and strategic planning, and contract management. In his current position, Mr. Valdez plays a pivotal role in setting overall strategic direction for DOE's diversity, minority education, civil rights, and small business initiatives and activities.
Mr. Valdez works with Department program offices to develop a corporate funding strategy for minority institutions to ensure that faculty and students at these institutions are provided with opportunities to participate in Department of Energy activities in the areas of research and development, but also to encourage the competitiveness of minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through workforce development initiatives, internships, traineeships, fellowships and other partnership activities at these institutions, the Department addresses the growing need for a diverse, talented scientific workforce. Mr. Valdez also ensures that the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity's civil rights and small business responsibilities address ongoing DOE and national needs.
In addition, Mr. Valdez has been the co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council’s Science of Science Policy Interagency Working Group since 2005.
Mr. Valdez was awarded the Presidential Rank Award (meritorious) in 2007, was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2006, and is currently the Chair of the Senior Executive Association’s Board of Directors.
Prior to working at DOE, Mr. Valdez worked as a Senior Project Manager in private industry where he provided strategic planning services to Asian and European multinational corporations.
Mr. Valdez received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas and his Master of Arts in International Economics and Energy Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
