Jim Hirahara
Executive Director for Business and Finance

Jim Hirahara is Executive Director for Business and Finance in the University of California Laboratory Management Office.  He provides oversight of business and financial activities at three DOE laboratories (Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore, and Los Alamos National Laboratories).  He works with senior laboratory managers to guide and direct laboratory business practices and procedures in the major areas of financial, procurement, property, human resources, information resources, and external/internal audit management so that implementation of  sound business practices and accountability is ensured.   This includes collaboration and partnership with University Office of the President senior executives in these areas. 

Hirahara joined the University in 2004, after a distinguished 32-year career in the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies.  He was a member of the Senior Executive Service for almost half of his federal career, including establishing and serving as the first Director of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s agency-wide Service Center.  Prior assignments included senior leadership positions in the former DOE/NNSA Oakland Operations Office as Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager for Administration, Assistant Manager for Site Management, and Field Chief Financial Officer.  He was instrumental in transforming federal oversight done by the Operations Office from compliance-based to performance-based oversight.  His experience also included a 7-year assignment with the Department in Washington, D.C.  He has served as a warranted Contracting Officer, and has extensive experience negotiating and administering DOE management and operating contracts.  

Hirahara received his B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and M.B.A. from California State University.  As a Federal Senior Executive, he received the Presidential Rank Award, both as a Meritorious and a Distinguished Executive.