Dimas Chavez: Atomic All-Star

By Robert Graham

Dimas Chavez (BA 60) moved to Los Alamos during the summer of 1943. His father worked for the Zia Company, the backbone company to the successful infrastructural operations of the Los Alamos Laboratory. As a kid, Dimas lived nearby the likes of J. Robert Oppenheimer and Enrico Fermi. Not only does Dimas recall the science, but also the subtle nuances, such as watching the original Harlem Globetrotters compete, a team that included Goose Tatum.

As the military lead for the Manhattan Project, Lieutenant General Leslie R. Groves, Jr., relocated the project’s headquarters from the borough bearing the project’s name to New Mexico, Dimas made a similar transition: a child of the atom who went on to work for National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of State (DOS) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Dimas Chavez

Dimas holds two firsts at the DOS. He led the first Radio- Frequency Shielding Program with the DOS in the late 80s. Dimas also served as the first Branch Chief for the Construction Accreditation Program during the 90s, a division that ensures the operational integrity of embassies and consulates. From 1997-2000, Dimas oversaw the construction of the New Moscow Embassy Compound.

Dimas transitioned to the CIA at the turn of the century and served there until 2010. His duties at the CIA built on his prior knowledge at DOS. Dimas coordinated the activities of the CIA, DOS and various Marine installations including Quantico Marine Base.

He also served as Director of Security for Architectural Engineering Company (AECOM), which provided support to the National Counterterrorism Center.

Dimas recently penned his autobiography, On My Own, available on amazon.com.