The Victor Stello, Jr. Award for Safety Leadership was established by the DNFSB to be given as appropriate, but no more than annually, to an employee of the Department of Energy (DOE) who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in promoting safety management in the DOE defense nuclear complex. The award was established in 1999 and first presented to Victor Stello, Jr., Principal Deputy Secretary for Safety and Quality, Office of Defense Programs, DOE, to honor him in recognition of his outstanding service, exemplary performance, and admirable leadership in promoting public health and safety in the Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the United States.