Pantex Blog
Holiday cheer and season bringing you down?
Holiday stress and seasonal affective disorder can affect everyone
The festive energy in the air, the colorful lights on houses, and the hustle and bustle of the season is an atmosphere straight out of a Hallmark movie. Despite the seasonal feeling, statistics show this time of year leaves many people stressed and depressed.
According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of adults have stress over the holidays. This busy time of year can bring a unique kind of challenge. The long to-do list, financial burden of gift buying, and overall full schedule can leave people feeling more anxious than cheerful.
The Mayo Clinic offers tips to help you overcome feeling blue during the holidays:
- Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to feel each mood.
- Reach out to connect with others who may bring you joy.
- Be realistic about what the holidays look like for you this year.
- Set aside differences with family members and avoid talking about stressful topics.
- Create a budget you can realistically afford to spend.
- Plan ahead by scheduling holiday errands and tasks on specific days.
- Say no to things when you feel overwhelmed.
- Keep up healthy habits by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising.
- Give yourself a break and spend at least 15 minutes alone without distractions.
- If you feel constant sadness, depression, and anxiety, seek help from a medical professional.
Additionally, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) becomes more common when there is less daylight during the fall and winter months.
The American Psychological Association estimates approximately 5% of adults in the United States suffer from this disorder; people living far from the equator, women, and younger adults are the most commonly diagnosed.
SAD is more than having a bad day or feeling down in the dumps. According to the Mayo Clinic, “symptoms may include feeling sad, angry, or easily irritable most of the day nearly every day; lack of interest in activities once enjoyed; difficulty concentrating; persistent tiredness; lack of energy; and, in some cases, feeling that life isn’t worth living or having suicidal thoughts.”
As the season continues, some people may experience continual tiredness and weight gain. While it may seem dark, there is light at the end of the SAD tunnel.
The Mayo Clinic recommends people who struggle with SAD follow these tips:
- A light therapy box is a lamp that mimics natural sunlight
Understanding the potential of stress, anxiety, and illness and proactively addressing it can remove risk and allow employees to focus on the mission.
A Legacy of Giving
Volunteers ringing bells outside store for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
During the winter of 1955, Pantex employees decided to forgo exchanging cards and gifts among themselves; instead, they pooled their money to purchase toys and clothing for families in need within the community. This act of giving has, for 69 years, brought joy to thousands of families who otherwise would have gone without during the holiday season.
Now known as the Pantex Christmas Project, this long-standing tradition offers a special opportunity for employees to serve both youth and elderly in our community. Part of the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, which is a group of nonprofit organizations dedicated to meeting community needs during the holiday season, the project is powered by volunteers and supported through employee contributions, fundraisers, and our community. Co chairs Lennet Hernandez, who has dedicated 25 years to the cause, and Tamara Packard, an 18-year volunteer, coordinate the project. Along with their team of “elves,” Hernandez and Packard bring holiday cheer to people in the Amarillo area each year.
The project kicked off in early August, when applications were made available through school counselors in Amarillo. Referrals come from a variety of sources, including local schools, churches, childcare facilities, and community organizations for the elderly. (Although the program focuses mainly on youth, about 10% of recipients are elderly.) Once a committee reviews the completed applications, they interview each family or participant to verify the submitted information is correct. The committee then selects the families who will be part of the project.
Children and elderly participants are represented by “angel tags” placed on a virtual Christmas tree and advertised to Pantexans via the intranet. Employees choose an angel and purchase the items listed on the tag, which include a complete outfit, a new pair of shoes, and a special wish-list item. A special item for each child could be a toy, while elderly recipients may receive additional clothes or other essentials. The gifts are distributed a few days before Christmas.
“Without this program, many children would go without,” Packard said. “It’s not just about the toys. Some of these children only receive hand me down or donated clothing. Our goal is to ensure every child on our tree receives two complete outfits and two pairs of brand-new shoes. More than anything, our outreach ensures these children receive the blessing of clothes and shoes—as they deserve.”
To ensure as many families as possible are served, those selected are allowed to participate only once. The elderly, however, stay with the program the rest of their lives.
“We are so happy to be able to help so many deserving families each year,” Hernandez said. “It truly is the highlight of the holiday season for us. With the generous donations from Pantexans and community organizations, the Pantex Christmas Project is able to grant these individuals wishes.”
The Pantex Christmas Project recently partnered with the Teen Christmas program to give Walmart gift cards to teens in our community. A local Walmart employee started the Teen Christmas program about 20 years ago. When he retired, the program faced an uncertain future, but thanks to collaboration among the Pantex Christmas Project, Salvation Army, and the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, Teen Christmas continued. Donors to this program spread holiday joy to teenagers in need by purchasing and donating gift cards so teens can pick their own gifts. The program is going strong, partly thanks to the generosity of Pantexans.
In addition to these gifting programs, Pantex partners with the Salvation Army and the High Plains Food Bank to address community needs during the holiday season through The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and HPFB’s Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. Both efforts align with Pantex’s mission to serve the community, not only through financial contributions but also through volunteerism.
Dedicated employees volunteer every year to ring bells outside stores for the Red Kettle Campaign. A Christmas tradition since 1891, the campaign began when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee used a kettle to collect funds for the hungry. Today, the campaign relies on donations to support vital programs in communities across the globe. Every penny raised through Pantex efforts with the Red Kettle Campaign stays local and helps fund services such as food assistance, shelter, and social programs.
“For several years, many Pantexans have volunteered their time from early November through early to mid-December to ring a bell for 2 hours,” said Community and Educational Outreach Coordinator Darla Fish. “It’s become a meaningful way for Pantexans to show their love and support for the community.”
Pantex has been involved for over 20 years with the Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. As a major sponsor, Pantex provides a $10,000 monetary donation and mobilizes volunteers for the annual fundraiser each December. Through the drive, just $1 can provide 9 meals to help feed individuals and families across the 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle.
“Our partnership with the HPFB strengthens our community by ensuring children, seniors, and families have access to nutritious food,” Fish said. “It’s not only about our financial support; our employees also donate their time to inspect, sort, and repack donated food. This commitment to helping those in need is something that makes me truly proud to be a Pantexan.”
This spirit of giving showcases Pantex’s commitment to being a good corporate neighbor and making a lasting impact in the Texas Panhandle.
I am Mission Success: Brenda Martin
Take 5 minutes to learn about Emergency Services’ Brenda Martin. This article details her role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture Pantex offers. All views and opinions are the employee's own and do not necessarily reflect those of PXD.
“I enjoy feeling like I solved a problem, like I fixed something,” said longtime Pantexan Brenda Martin.
Camaraderie—at work and in her personal life—is a strong motivator for Martin, as is contributing to the community she calls home.
“I love giving back to the community,” she said. “When I say I have a lot of volunteer experience and that it’s my passion, that is my passion. I have been fortunate to sit on several nonprofit boards and raise a lot of money for many nonprofit organizations in Amarillo. There are so many worthwhile causes and it is a feeling of giving back that I can’t describe.”
This mindset is why Martin was named Amarillo’s Woman of the Year in 2012.
An enjoyment for working with people and supporting her community are traits that serve Martin well. Her role at Pantex involves problem-solving and tackling both known and potentially unforeseen emergencies. The tasks that she and her colleagues take on depend upon solid communication and mutual cooperation, and involve the safety of the entire Pantex community.
To anticipate, analyze, and resolve issues, Martin has to have a rock-solid understanding of Pantex and how it operates. In this, she has an advantage, though she didn’t initially set out to use it.
“My parents both worked out here,” Martin said. “There is another DOE site in Burlington, Iowa. My parents transferred to Pantex from Burlington in 1974 when I was just a kid. I had no earthly desire to come to Pantex after listening to my parents at the dinner table! My dad was DOE and my mom was Mason & Hanger. You can only imagine!”
Instead, Martin pursued a vocation in marketing financial institutions, spending more than a decade in that field before coming home, so to speak, to Pantex.
Part of her role at Pantex involves the Emergency Public Information team, a disparate group of employees across the plant who respond to emergency situations to share timely, accurate, and appropriate information with the media, public and their fellow employees.
“They do a great job communicating to our employees, the media, and stakeholders,” she said.
Looking back on a full career, Martin said her sense of accomplishment extends well beyond her own sphere of influence.
“I’ve been here more than 32 years, and I’m still in awe of our impact,” she reflected. “Being the only site that offers our specific contribution—the importance of what Pantex does for our nation makes me feel good.”
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
I once got a speeding ticket in my driveway. I had been speeding down the street, and turned into my alley right in front of a police officer.
What’s your top bucket-list item, and why?
I would love to go to Italy. I had a friend who went there recently and showed me amazing beautiful photos. It looks picturesque. Would love to go and experience Italy.
What characteristics define a good leader to you, and why?
A good leader has to be able to listen. He or she must have integrity, respect, and compassion. They need to be trustworthy. They definitely must have great communication skills. I just think about what makes a leader you look up to, somebody you respect, and I’m thinking of influential people in Amarillo. Those are the words that come to me.
What advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Be thankful for what you have been given. Do your best at the job you have been given, do your best every day. We are so fortunate to have these good jobs with good benefits—don’t take it for granted.
Describe the evolution of your problem-solving skills. What was behind this change?
We are fortunate here at Pantex to have so many different trainings and tools from which to learn, particularly as issues management specialists. I have been fortunate enough to attend and learn from some of the best and most knowledgeable resources available. Our training and tools are genuinely excellent.
I am mission success: Debra Wiseman
By Candice Copelin —
Take five minutes to learn about Debra Wiseman, janitorial custodian. This article details Wiseman's role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture Pantex offers. All views and opinions are the employee's own and do not necessarily reflect those of PXD.
When Debra Wiseman is asked about a time during her career at Pantex when she felt like she was thriving, she quickly responded, “I thrive every day.” This spirit is something she has carried with her throughout her 41–year career at Pantex.
Wiseman started at Pantex on April 26, 1982—when her son was just five weeks old. Like many employees who have been around a while, Wiseman has seen many changes at the plant, including numerous transitions between management and operating contractors, and has continued to remain positive about each one.
“If you want to know about the history of Pantex, it's change,” she said.
Wiseman has ridden the waves of change in her position, like a switch to nights during the pandemic, but she says the changes make her value the people she works with even more. “You should find a way to work with people,” she said. “Learn to be merciful. Learn to be kind. Because down the road you'll need it too. That comes with age and wisdom.”
She shares that wisdom with not only her co–workers, but with people around the plant. Now that she is approaching retirement in December, people are starting to share just how much her kind and giving spirit has affected them—much to her surprise.
“It's a melting pot out here. There are so many personalities out here, and you have to meet them where they are,” she said. “It is just in me, probably from the church, to help those in need. If someone needs you, you help them. I've had people from one of the shops tell me, ‘I want you to know, before you leave, that seeing your smile got me out of a depression. Your positive attitude helped me today.' I had no idea.”
The impact that Wiseman has made on Pantex comes not only from her need to help others, but the pride that she takes in doing a good job.
“I've cleaned every building on this plant besides the JCDC,” Wiseman said. “It takes everybody to make this place run. I try to encourage everyone to take ownership over what we do.”
What motivates you to be successful?
My motivation is to get things done right. I don't know how to slack on a job. I learned that from my parents. I learned that at six years old. I instilled that in my kids.
What advice would you give a new person in your position?
You have to be willing to work. At the end of the day when your boss is looking around at what you did, they ask ‘what did you do?' You don't want to be the one that hasn't done anything. I tell them to be accountable.
Reflecting on these last 41 years, what is it that you want to remember?
Gratefulness. It's been a pleasure and a great opportunity to work at a place where you can advance if you want to. I'm too blessed not to be grateful.
Any final thoughts?
For my sanity, I don't put myself in positions where I am stressed out—and if I end up there, it's not for long. You have to be happy, because if you are happy, you will do a good job. Stressing or being upset is when you miss things. I don't want to live my life angry. I want to be grateful. I'm grateful to be here and thankful for the opportunity to be at such a fine place to work. We are doing business for our country. What an honor. Let's treat it as such. We need to go above and beyond.
Pantex recognized with EVMS certification
Pantex earned an Earned Value Management System certification following an implementation review conducted on the under-construction HESE facility.
An Earned Value Management System, or EVMS, is a structured project and program management process that integrates work scope, schedule, and cost. This ensures accurate and timely reporting, which supports informed decision-making throughout projects.
Recently, Pantex earned the Department of Energy EVMS Certification following a successful implementation review by the Department of Energy Director of Project Management Paul Bosco. Bosco’s responsibility was to validate project performance baselines, ensuring that scope, cost, and schedule align with expectations to ensure each project remains on track. An evaluation was conducted the High Explosive Science and Engineering (HESE) facility, which met all performance baselines. The HESE facility is currently under construction, with the current forecast for completion in August 2025 and approval for qualification release by the third quarter of 2027.
Achieving EVMS Certification reflects the ability to plan, manage, and deliver projects successfully while maintaining the highest standards of accountability and performance. It highlights the strength of project controls and the ability to track cost and schedule performance with precision, ensuring that resources are used both effectively and transparently.
“This certification is a critical recognition of our operational maturity and reflects the thoroughness with which we manage complex projects,” said Bill Bridenbaugh Jr., EVMS director. “It demonstrates that Pantex is fully equipped to execute large-scale construction projects, like the HESE facility, with confidence.”
This achievement not only serves as a testament to the commitment to excellence in project management and operational efficiency, but also positions Pantex as a trusted partner capable of delivering results with integrity to the Department of Energy. It is also a mark of leadership in managing complex, high-stakes projects.
“The EVMS Certification reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved,” Bridenbaugh said. “It’s not just about meeting standards, but about setting benchmarks in performance measurement and project management.”
The certification confirms Pantex to provide accurate, data-driven insights on project performance, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions and address risks proactively. This milestone is the result of contributions from many personnel across the organization, including the leadership team, which underscores the collaborative efforts that led to this success.
Ultimately, this accomplishment strengthens Pantex’s position to continue to deliver the mission with excellence. It also reinforces the ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that Pantex remains at the forefront of best practices in project management and performance measurements.
“The key to EVMS success lies in consistent implementation across all projects and programs. This is just the beginning on our journey,” Bridenbaugh added.