Nuclear Operations Technology Management
Mackenzie Gorham
Senior Clinical Instructor
Professional Work Experience
- B.S in Nuclear Engineering from Missouri S&T 2009, M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Idaho State University 2012, M.S. in Environmental Science from University of Idaho
- Senior Reactor Operator
- Worked for the Department of Energy at IdahoNational Lab as a Criticality Safety SME, Safety System Oversight Officer, and RAP federal team leader, for 10 years
Career Highlights
- Instant SRO
- Developed student operator training program for Missouri S&T research reactor
- Published two benchmarks for the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project
- Performed oversight of the TREAT restart at INL, and helped recreate a compliant system engineering program after decades of shutdown
One of Your Favorite Professional Experiences
It is hard to choose one favorite experience, but there is nothing quite like operating a nuclear reactor. Even though I worked at a small research reactor, it was exciting and a truly unique and enjoyable part of my career.
Personal Facts
I moved to Idaho from Missouri, and love it. In my free time, I have a hobby farm, like photography, rock climbing, riding horses, hiking, jiu jitisu, scuba diving, cooking, stand up paddleboarding, and travel. On Friday's, I run a food pantry in Chubbuck.
Laurie Holien
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, Clinical Professor
Office: Eames Complex 151
Laurie Holien is an Associate Professor and Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) degree program at Idaho State University (ISU). Ms. Holien formerly served as a professor, HSEM Program Director, and Professor for Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Before Concordia, she served as the Deputy Director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM). She has over 21 years of operational experience in Security, Emergency Management, Critical Infrastructure, and Academics. Her background includes consulting as an Operations Analyst for Scientific Research Corporation, working for the Department of the Navy (SPAWAR), DHS, FEMA, and other local emergency management agencies.
In 2010, she was named a Naval Postgraduate School/Center for Homeland Defense and Security Alumni Fellow. In this capacity, she worked at FEMA’s Headquarters in Washington D.C., including activations of the National Response and Coordination Center. Before that, she was a strategic advisor and manager responsible for critical infrastructure protection and emergency management missions at the City of Seattle Public Utilities Department. Additionally, she has served as a Planning Section Chief on a level III Incident Management Team in King County, WA. Ms. Holien has extensive experience in catastrophic planning, essential utility service delivery, business continuity and operations, risk management, incident management, private sector interdependencies, and local and state collaboration. Ms. Holien earned her Master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Washington.
