Pantex Blog
I am Mission Success: Steve Kersh
Take five minutes and learn about CNS’s Steve Kersh, Pantex meteorologist. All views and opinions are each contributor’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.
Pantex workers come from all walks of life, and a few Pantexans may be recognized by their previous jobs in the field of journalism. In case you don’t recognize him from his more than two decades as local TV chief meteorologist, please meet Steve Kersh, who joined Pantex about four years ago. His expertise in weather forecasting has cemented his place as an integral part of mission success.
“Having worked here in Amarillo for 23 years, I know how important Pantex is to our country’s mission and am excited and honored to be a part of that mission,” said Kersh. “I think I have been successful in expanding our lightning-detection systems, providing redundant systems in case another fails, and helping reduce production downtime due to weather, while maximizing the production uptime as well.”
Kersh’s expertise was an integral part of recent efforts during the wildfires that threatened the plant.
“Having a staff meteorologist of Steve Kersh’s experience and expertise is very important,” according to Senior Director of the Explosives Technology Operations, Monty Cates. “His ability to use satellite imagery paired with real time weather forecasting…was really amazing. He was able to show the emergency response organizations exactly where the fire front was despite all the smoke and was able to correctly predict how the fire would respond to changing weather conditions as it approached the site. Steve provided a clear picture of the threat and invaluable information for the emergency response teams.”
“It was a team effort that night,” Kersh noted. “I worked closely with Chief Taylor of our Pantex Fire Department to make sure that we stayed on top of the events with the Windy Deuce Fire, as the cold front approached it from the north and the shift toward Pantex became inevitable. I think we have a World Class Emergency Management Team at Pantex and I’m proud to be a very small part of it!”
Along with all his other duties, at the start of each week, Steve is asked to forecast upcoming weather events that can have a direct impact on production.
“I provide a forecast for the week’s potential production impacts due to the expected weather conditions. I’ve spoken to many different project team leads during various weather events and you feel like you are a part of what’s going on out here, even if it is simply updating them on the changing Panhandle weather!” Kersh said. “Having previously worked in a job where I set up and maintained a 207-site weather station network came in handy when our department decided to start up the Pantex StrikeNet project.”
With the StrikeNet app, meteorological information such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, dew point, barometric pressure, rainfall, rainfall rate and even lightning data is now available to anyone. The StrikeNet app can be downloaded free of charge, on Google Play and the App Store.
While weather forecasters have always taken their knocks over missing weather predictions every now and then, today’s technology has made meteorology more science than guesswork.
Why are you mission success?
I am mission success because I think I have been successful in expanding our lightning detection systems, providing redundant systems in case another fails, and helping reduce production downtime due to weather, while maximizing the production uptime as well. I think it’s the “Technology-and-Innovation” that drives me to be successful.
What is your favorite aspect about your work environment?
My office in the JCDC gets VERY BUSY during any weather event. I have many Pantex employees who walk by to check the radar, chat about the weather or weekend activities that they have going on, etc. I love getting to meet my fellow Pantexans and find out about what they are doing. When severe weather is ongoing, there’s usually a crowd outside my cubicle and a lot going on.
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
Many of my co-workers found a “blooper tape” from my previous job that someone posted on YouTube. I have been reminded many times of exploding studio lights during my weathercasts and several verbal miscues of mine, over the years!
What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Storm chasing has been a fun hobby of mine, including chasing with my wife and my boys. My wife told me that she used to think that storm chasing was dangerous and just a bunch of people out “looking at storms.” She went out with me and met several other meteorologists out in various parts of the Panhandle, including a vacationing, storm-chasing Australian! She realized that there’s actually a lot of science that goes into storm chasing and I think… maybe… she enjoyed it?
Why are communications important for all Pantex and Y-12 employees?
I think communications and communicating is the MOST VITAL role at Pantex! There are so many “moving parts” here at Pantex that if you don’t communicate, problems arise quickly. I communicate with so many other departments, so many employees in various roles and with Electromagnetics Department members as well. It’s an absolute critical role in my job!
Teaching life skills and demonstrating excellence
Pantexan Shawn S. interacting with students at JA BizTown.
Balancing a budget, paying bills, taking out loans, and voting in elections are not typical tasks that you think of 5th grade students completing. The reality of these life responsibilities is exposed to Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) students through Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown, located at AmTech Career Academy.
Set up as a simulation town, JA Biztown gives elementary students experience operating banks, managing restaurants, taking out loans, voting in elections, buying cars, and more. Students are connected to real-world educational lessons through this learning experience. In addition to financial literacy, participating in this activity teaches students work and career readiness skills.
Pantex is a proud supporter of the local JA BizTown partnership with AISD. Every month during the 2023-2024 school year, more than a dozen Pantexans have volunteered their time guiding students through the simulation. When the school year ends, Pantex will have donated approximately 1,500 volunteer hours to JA BizTown.
“Our partnership with our Pantex volunteers is invaluable,” Dana W., JA of the High Plains capstone director said. “To see our Pantex volunteers teaching our students how to sound out big words, fill out a check correctly, or just simply pouring into our students that the world is their oyster is something you can’t put a price tag on. Nothing beats harder than the heart of a volunteer!”
One of those dedicated volunteers is Pantex metrology senior manager Shawn S., who can be found volunteering at his usual spot: the Xcel Energy simulation.
“My favorite memory from BizTown is seeing the lightbulb go off in the kids’ heads,” Shawn said. “I think it’s very important for Pantex to interact with our community, and BizTown is a perfect way to do that.”
Pantex’s partnership with abbr title="Amarillo Independent School District">AISD was recently recognized with the distinction of being a district “Partner in Excellence.” Pantex received this honor due to the dedicated volunteers who spent their time teaching and mentoring young students.
“Pantex is one of those outstanding partners who see the value of the work we’re doing to get our young professionals trained, skilled, and ready for the workforce,” AmTech Superintendent Jay Barrett said. “They realize that preparation begins well before high school, which is one reason why they have committed so many volunteer hours to BizTown—we could not do what we do here without them.”
In addition to Pantex’s volunteer work at BizTown, the plant also has a business feature in the simulation, complete with a replica of a wall that is found onsite in the John C. Drummond Center (JCDC).
“This partnership bolsters our need and desire to be an active partner in our communities,” Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary said. “Attributes such as understanding a citizen’s rights and responsibilities and developing the skills necessary for successful participation in the modern working world are common among both Pantex and BizTown.”
Pantex is proud to give back to its neighbors in the Texas Panhandle and desires to take a dynamic role in helping the surrounding communities. Pantex’s partnership with BizTown and local schools is one way that Pantex employees continue to do just that: helping where they can.
Pantex deputy site manager Kenny Steward with leaders from Junior Achievement of the High Plains in front of Pantex’s feature within BizTown.
CNS intern experience leads to fulfilling careers
Darby L., who interned at Pantex in 2022 and received a job offer after graduation.
Pantex and Y-12 recently welcomed a total of 87 interns from 31 different colleges and universities across the nation. These interns will spend 10 weeks learning about the CNS sites and their missions. They will engage in intense training and learning from their host organizations, culminating in a final project that they will share at the Intern Expo on Tuesday, July 23.
Internships offer students a chance to apply abstract knowledge to form concrete experience. Because of the unique missions at Pantex and Y-12, internship experience gives these graduates an upper-hand in landing a full-time position at one of the sites. From the 2023 intern class, nearly 40% have become full-time employees, with more planning to seek a position at one of the sites after they graduate.
Darby L., who interned at Pantex in 2022 and received a job offer with Pantex Career One after graduation, said that as an Amarillo native, she grew up thinking it would be great to work at Pantex someday.
“Getting to come out to Pantex while I was still in school helped me determine if I wanted to continue working at Pantex as a full-time employee,” Darby said. “I enjoyed the friendly community of Pantex as well as the overall mission statement.”
According to Darby, one of the most important skills she learned from her internship that she still uses in her job now is the ability to communicate effectively.
“In my job, I am always meeting new people as well as learning new things,” she said. “I learned the importance of asking for help when needed as well as asking questions. I have applied the communication skills learned from my internship into my everyday tasks.”
Another former intern, Jovon H., worked at Y-12 in the summer of 2023 and is now working in Y-12 Infrastructure.
“I really enjoyed my internship. I made countless amounts of memories that will be cherished and carried with me through my life,” said Jovon. “Having the luxury of surrounding yourself with people who care about your well-being and have similar missions, goals, and ambitions that further assist you in your career development is not something you find at every company.”
Jovon said that networking was a valuable skill he took from his internship. He truly applied the saying “It’s not so much about what you know as it is who you know.”
“My internship helped me have the capacity and flexibility to build quality relationships with people,” he said. “If no one knows your name, passions, ambitions, and/or face, how can others assist or know what your ultimate goals and ambitions are as an employee?”
To the incoming interns, Darby offered this advice to help them during their internship: “I’d recommend building connections with your employers and fellow interns.”
Jovon echoed the importance of connecting with other people during an internship.
“Communicate and collaborate with each other,” he said. “Coming in, everyone is on the same playing field and is relatable. Also, seek a mentor in your organization who you look up to, and don’t be afraid to fail or ask questions.”
Pantex recently welcomed 38 summer interns from 11 different colleges and universities across the nation.
Working with dad
Pantexan father and daughter, David and Madison, share that the best part of working together is getting to see each other throughout the day.
June is the month to celebrate the fathers in our lives. Some lucky employees have the privilege of working with their fathers on‑site.
Meet Pantexans David and Madison L., father and daughter.
As a technical specialist in Process Engineering, Madison has the opportunity to see and work with her dad on a frequent basis.
“We see each other a lot since we work in the same wing of the JCDC, and we carpool to work,” said David, who is a senior specialist in Nuclear Explosive Safety. “Our roles also intersect. Being a technical specialist, she sends us [Nuclear Explosive Safety] procedures to review.”
Madison, who started at Pantex in December 2022, says her dad has always been the best role model, and she hopes to live up to the reputation that he has made for himself over the course of his 30-year career at Pantex.
“He has taught me to never give up whether in school or just in general,” Madison said. “That has helped me persevere to get to where I am today. He has shown me how to treat others no matter what environment I’m in, and that I should always be respectful and kind.”
For David, his proudest moments as a father are representative of the example he’s set for his daughter.
“Madison is a very kind and generous person with a big heart. My first proudest moment was watching her being baptized and second when she graduated from Texas Tech University in 3 years,” David said. “It showed her determination and desire to reach her goals.”
Protecting personnel and property for the mission
Carlos G., fire protection engineer, conducts a monthly prevention check on equipment.
With approximately 500 facilities at Pantex and more than 400 at Y-12, protecting the lives and property inside each building is an essential job. Fire protection engineers work daily to ensure the safety of personnel and property.
“With Pantex being the primary nuclear weapons plant, a fire in a nuclear or explosive facility would cause a huge impact to the nuclear deterrent for the United States and our allies,” said Justin H., Pantex Fire Protection Engineering manager. “A fire could cause an explosion, contamination, or worse, the loss of life.”
Justin’s Y-12 counterpart, Jake G., echoed the importance of mitigating fire dangers.
“In addition to the off-site release concerns associated with a fire, any major fire at the site could cause an extended shutdown,” said Jake, Y-12 Fire Protection Engineering manager. “Understanding the potential consequences of a major fire and the associated impact to not only the site but the employees is how I feel I contribute to the overall mission of Y-12.”
Fire protection engineers serve as the technical authority on fire protection–related items. They also review combustibles that are present in nuclear facilities, perform fire modeling, and review procedures to verify that all operations are implementing fire safety controls.
“Knowing that my job directly protects my Pantex coworkers by ensuring their safety as well as the safety of the surrounding community is very rewarding,” said Fire Protection Engineer, Carlos G.
Only a handful of universities offer fire protection engineering degrees. Justin, Jake, and Carlos all earned their degrees at Oklahoma State University where, in addition to the regular curriculum of math and science courses, they worked hands-on in fire labs.
“I interviewed with Pantex at the OSU career fair and accepted an offer a couple of months before graduating. I knew it would be a one-of-a-kind experience and opportunity,” Carlos said. “I had also heard great things from friends and previous classmates who had been hired on before me. I have been a proud Pantexan for 4 1/2 years.”
It is easy for anyone to get bogged down in the daily grind, but at the end of the day, remembering how the work impacts the overall mission is rewarding.
“My favorite part of the job is being able to assist in solving issues associated with the unique and one-of-a-kind processes, equipment, and hazards that we have at Y-12,” Jake said.
Justin shares similar sentiments with Jake and other Fire Protection Engineering colleagues. Each voiced a selfless dedication to the wellbeing of their sites and the people who work there.
“It is gratifying when you take a step back and think about how Pantex is a place in the Nuclear Security Enterprise that deters other countries from using nuclear weapons,” Justin said. “Knowing you have played a role in that mission is rewarding.”