Pantex Blog
Pantex Proud: Carrie Brain
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Carrie Brain work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who she is, what she does, and why she is proud to be a Pantexan.
Behind every LaRusso, Balboa, and Skywalker, there’s a Miyagi, Mickey, and Master Yoda. These mentors teach and help sharpen their pupils’ respective disciplines, typically set to a memorable montage. We don’t have that luxury in the real world, even if we crank “Eye of the Tiger” to 11. What we do have at Pantex, however, are great instructors, and instructors for those instructors.
That’s where Carrie Brain comes in. Brain serves as the lead instructor of instructor programs at Pantex. Her responsibilities include curriculum development, assisting with training compliance job duties, and leading instructor developmental classes. Essentially, she’ll teach you how to teach.
At one point in her life, Brain believed she’d become a copy editor for Random House or Penguin Books, but as the saying around the plant goes, all roads lead to Pantex. Fortunately for Pantexans, that included Brain’s career.
“I grew up in Amarillo,” Brain said. “Back then, people didn’t talk about Pantex. Because of that, I was scared to start a job here, but the second I came aboard I knew I was part of something greater than myself. Joining Pantex made me more of a patriot.”
Brain still has passion for the written word, and she’s adopted certain elements into her instructional development. Does your team need to know updated training procedures? Looking to train new hires? Great! She will help you figure out what to say and how to say it and help tailor your content based on your audience.
“Not everybody likes to be mentored the same way,” Brain said. “Pantex is a team, but each of us learns how to do things differently. As a mentor, ask your trainee what they think they need. Also, don’t just tell them how to do something, show them how to do it.”
Brain loves her students and sees them as messengers of the mission. She’s proud to be a part of that system, empowering them with skills and tools needed to be great instructors. Yet, with any great mentor/mentee story, be it cinematic or real life, there’s a cyclical nature to the dynamic.
“I’ll run into instructors that I trained months later and see how they use the skills I taught them,” Brain said. “Yet, as I watch them train others, I learn new tricks and techniques on how to better myself as an instructor. I provide them with feedback as well. It continues on and on like that. I’m a source of support for them, and they’re a source of support for me.”
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My dad. As a kid, I didn’t understand why he did or said certain things or didn’t say anything when I thought he should. When I grew up and we talked as adults, I realized he did those things to take care of me. He taught me how to think, research, and articulate for myself.
Why is it important we hold ourselves accountable in our daily tasks?
We have to meet Conduct of Operations, for one. Secondly, we need to take ownership of the good and bad. By doing so, we can correct those mistakes faster and learn from them. The more we understand why we need to hold ourselves accountable, the less fear we may have when owning up to our mistakes.
What advice do you offer someone who has made a mistake in his or her job?
Stop and or pause work. Seek out a peer or mentor and get the ball rolling for a path of correction. Mistakes happen. The sooner you speak up, the better off you’ll be.
Provide an example of lessons you’ve learned through overcoming a work-related challenge?
Stop talking and listen. I constantly try to became a better listener because sometimes when we’re silent, you have a chance to process what the other person is saying rather than thinking about your response. Don’t let yourself miss the point because you wouldn’t listen.
Slips and falls may come with a steep price
Courtesy photo of Randy Broom (right) and his dad Jack (left).
How much money would it take to completely alter your life?
For Randy Broom, it was just a small bucket of change.
Broom’s dad died in January because of a slip and fall incident. His father was taking coins to the bank to be exchanged when the container holding the money slipped out of his hand. His dad tried to catch the container, causing him to lose his footing and fall, injuring his neck and spinal cord.
“If you’re going to do something, don’t set yourself up for failure,” Broom said. “My dad put the coins in a container that was smooth and didn’t have a handle, so when the weight caused it to slip from his hands and he tried to catch it, rock salt on the ground and uneven footing caused him to fall and become paralyzed from the neck down.”
Slip and fall injuries can happen to anyone. Broom says this tragic event is a good reminder that even small choices have big consequences.
“Decisions matter,” Broom said. “You have to weigh each decision and think the outcome through before you do it. You want to take care of yourself, and in doing so, you’re also taking care of the craft, because you’re trying to put out the best work package to mitigate any hazards.”
Broom, senior advisor, teaches a conservative decision-making class educating Pantexans on the importance of protecting themselves and others through thoughtful actions.
“In my class, I tell people that the decisions you make do not just affect you, they affect family, coworkers, and others,” Broom said. “People have to be safety minded and ask themselves critical questions before performing any task.”
Is what I am about to do necessary? Is the weather going to affect this job? Is there a time crunch? Should I wait until I’m better prepared? Do I need help with the task? Does the task have the correct tools or containers that will make me successful?
Broom says safety should be at the forefront of everything we do—big and small. Asking questions can’t prevent all bad things from happening, but it can help lessen the likelihood of an incident.
“My dad was laying in the hospital bed and told me, ‘Randy, I wish I had taken that money and threw it in the trash. It wasn’t worth it,’” Broom said. “I said ‘dad you can’t think about it that way’. You don’t know what is going to happen. What happened to my dad might not have occurred if he would have had the right safety tools for the job like a container with a handle or a clear walkway.”
Broom says when going out to a job site, check your surroundings for slip and fall hazards. The site might be dry when the job was planned, but rain could happen at any time. Do a visual inspection and think ahead.
Spare change changed Broom’s life, but he’s honoring his dad’s legacy by educating others on thoughtful decision making and adherence to safety requirements.
“I talked to my dad every day,” Broom said. “I did everything for him, and he did everything for me. And now he’s gone. You never think it’s going to happen to your family. I encourage everyone at work or out in town, just be mindful and take care of yourself. Take care of others. It’s not just you that is affected.”
Pantex Proud: Chris Perez
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Chris Perez work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.
The Human Reliability Program (HRP) is a security and safety reliability program designed to ensure that individuals who occupy positions with access to certain materials, nuclear explosive devices, facilities, and programs meet the highest standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability. As the HRP Management Official, Chris Perez has the unique role of making sure Pantex is held to that standard.
Growing up, Perez always thought he would be a high school coach. While in college, he began working at a bank and realized his passion had changed. When an opportunity at Pantex presented itself, he knew he was ready for the next step in his career.
“Pantex is the only one of its kind, meaning the work done here is unique,” he said. “For me, there is a lot of pride in understanding the kind of contribution you can make toward the overall mission and delivering for our nation and allies.”
After joining the Pantex team, Perez was surprised by the overall size and amount of diverse work it takes to carry out the mission. “The passion of my fellow coworkers and those involved in HRP is unmatched,” Perez said. “It is one of the main requirements to conduct the work here at Pantex, and that makes me proud.”
While HRP helps ensure safety and security, it is also about ensuring the well-being of our fellow Pantexans. “Working with people that might be going through something is never easy, but it’s part of the job,” Perez said. He added that it is very important to him that the employees who participate in the HRP know he cares about them no matter what they are going through.
This position has allowed him to develop his problem-solving skills. Questions or concerns are presented daily, and it is Perez’s responsibility to make sure they are handled appropriately. The longer he is in this role, the easier it gets to find solutions. However, Perez has found that not being afraid to ask for help and listen to different perspectives has contributed the most to his success in his role.
Everyone offers value to our tasks. Why must we be open to learning and hearing from others?
The work at Pantex is full of policies, procedures, orders, regulations, etc. Oftentimes, there are many different perspectives or interpretations of what something means. There is a very dynamic and knowledgeable workforce at Pantex, and talking advantage of that is the best way to learn. It also allows you to create your own understanding.
What advice do you offer someone who has made a mistake in his or her job? How should they be accountable for that issue?
We are HUMAN. It is literally the first word of the program: Human Reliability Program. Mistakes are going to happen no matter how big or small. It’s your response to the mistake that is crucial. Holding yourself accountable and showing focus and sincerity in the corrective actions is important.
How has teamwork allowed you to grow as an employee?
In HRP, we are dealing with the majority of the plant population. Working together with not only the HRP team but the plant population is vital to the success of the program. It also increases my overall plant knowledge—I learn something new every day that allows me to apply new knowledge to my job.
Why must we understand the requirements, procedures, etc. tied to our jobs?
HRP is driven by regulation, just like many other programs. The understanding of the requirements is vital because of the access individuals are being granted to complete the mission. If an HRP requirement is missed, that means the individual is not allowed to conduct HRP work, which could mean they are not contributing to the mission until all requirements are met.
What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Understand that it’s going to be overwhelming at first. However, embrace it and find people that are passionate about their job and learn from them. Also understand, there is a reason for everything and if you don’t understand, ask!
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My Father-in-Law, Jimmy “JW” Walker. He took me under his wing when I was young and, at that time, I needed a male role model in my life. I have never seen someone work so hard and be as dedicated to his family as he was. He was battling cancer for the latter part of his life and for the most part you couldn’t tell by his attitude. His perspective on life was much different than I have ever seen. He was someone that cared about everyone and those that knew him loved him. I could never repay him for what he did for me or my family, but I do my best every day.
Celebrating the first, first responders
Dispatchers Ayana Moore and Melodi Parton say teamwork is essential when coordinating response during an emergency.
What is an emergency? It may seem like an easy question to answer, but an emergency to one person may not be urgent for the next. Life experience, knowledge, and individual circumstances, among other things, may lead people to differ on their opinion of a true emergency.
Seeing firetrucks and wanting to know what happened — not an emergency.
Ordering a pizza and the delivery driver forgets the drink — also not an emergency.
Someone’s life or health is in danger — emergency.
Property, public health, or the environment is in danger — also an emergency.
When an emergency happens, dispatchers answer the call. The Pantex Fire Department maintains a 24/7 Emergency Services Dispatch Center. When dialing 9-1-1 from a phone at Pantex, the call is routed to their dedicated team. If calling from a cell phone, the emergency will be handled by the appropriate off-site dispatch center.
Even though dispatchers are often the initial point of contact for emergency situations, they sometimes do not receive the same recognition as other first responders. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week aims to change that. Held annually the second week in April, NPSTW honors and recognizes 9-1-1 professionals like dispatchers Ayana Moore and Melodi Parton — both frontline responders.
“I got into this line of work because my heart’s desire is to make a difference in my service,” Moore said. “We are trained to protect and serve, so I feel my service is to protect from greater danger, to prevent a greater tragedy, and to provide the help that is needed.”
Dispatchers are trained in taking emergency medical and fire calls, monitoring alarms, mutual-aid requests, and answering non-emergency calls. Parton says it is important to stay calm while working in such a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
“A clear mind allows for better decision making and communication which can be vital in emergencies where every second counts,” Parton said. “Panic can lead to mistakes or delays that could exacerbate the situation. My reaction has to be one of urgency coupled with composure.”
If there is an emergency, stay calm and remember to breathe. When calling 9-1-1, first give the location of the emergency. If the address is unknown, use landmarks or describe things nearby. Dispatchers are highly trained professionals ready to use the information provided to effectively respond to a variety of calls.
“I never know what type of situation I may have and who I have the pleasure of talking to,” Moore said. “If someone calls with an emergency and they’re panicking and I’m panicking, I wouldn’t be of any service to them. Staying calm is the key to dispatching.”
While one dispatcher takes calls, asking questions and gaining valuable information, their teammates are hard at work notifying responders to get them enroute quickly. Training and experience help dispatchers know what information is critical to ensure an appropriate response.
“When receiving a call, the process begins with an immediate assessment,” Parton said. “Dispatchers focus on gathering essential information from the caller and ensuring they feel heard and supported. Dispatchers then determine the best course of action. They remain calm to effectively relay information to first responders and coordinate resources efficiently.”
Dispatchers are a crucial aspect to public safety, acting as the link between callers and the responders providing emergency assistance.
“When I help get resources to someone during an emergency, I feel relieved, hopeful, stressful … many emotions but overall grateful to serve in this capacity,” Moore said.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week shines a light on the people behind the phones who serve our plant and our community as first responders. Whether the call involves people, property, or even pizza, dispatchers will answer ready to coordinate a response.
“Knowing that my actions can significantly impact someone’s life during a critical moment is both humbling and motivating,” Parton said.
The Ruck Up Foundation honors fallen soldiers
The Ruck Up Foundation embarks on their annual Memorial Day ruck styled hike in Palo Duro Canyon.
Holidays and special occasions can be bittersweet. Sweet are the times you get to celebrate and share your love with those closest to you; bitter are the periods of grief that creep in and remind you that someone you care about isn’t there to share those moments. Memorial Day is one holiday that is hard for families of fallen soldiers.
A small group of proud Pantexans – Cosme Alonzo, Anthony Jaramillo, Daniel Mata, Ismael Ordaz, and Daniel Prieto – who are also combat veterans, saw an opportunity to help local Gold Star families and bolster the legacies of these fallen heroes. A Gold Star family has experienced the loss of an immediate family member as a result of active-duty military service.
“For many, Memorial Day is a weekend to barbeque and enjoy the start of the summer season, but there are a lot of people who find themselves in a really negative place during Memorial weekend,” Alonzo said. “One year, we decided that we needed to stop drowning our sorrows in unhealthy outlets and find a wholesome way to memorialize our fallen comrades.”
And so began the Ruck Up Foundation.
The men, all of whom are Security Police Officers, wanted to find a way to say “thank you from a grateful nation.” The Ruck Up Foundation has committed to sending birthday cards to children of fallen heroes through their 21st birthdays. They have also established an annual college scholarship for a family member of a fallen soldier. Through their 10-mile ruck in Palo Duro Canyon and other events, they raise money to host an annual Gold Star Christmas event, partnering with Toys for Tots, to provide Christmas presents for the children.
“Our Ruck Up hike for Memorial Day is our biggest event and my personal favorite,” Mata said. The group sponsors a 10-mile hike to raise money for these projects. “For $50 you get into Palo Duro Canyon, a t-shirt, and some fun swag. What started out as three guys trying to pour their grief into a healthy outlet has turned into 121 individuals hiking in remembrance of fallen soldiers.”
The Ruck Up Foundation feels so lucky to have the support and compassion of their coworkers and encourages anyone who wants to tag along.
“I would say about 50 percent of our participation comes from Pantexans or immediate family members,” Jaramillo says. “Pantexans like Chelsey Westfall. When I reached out to her for a quote for her photography services, she was so supportive of our cause that she donated her services for free. At the end of the day, that’s the kind of support that allows us to do this.” Westfall is the Administrative Assistance for Safeguards and Security.
For many, Memorial Day marks the kick off to summer. For the Ruck Up Foundation it is time to pause and reflect on what the day is really about. They encourage people to take a moment to give thanks and honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. And, if you’re up for it, join a group of dedicated Pantexans on Sunday, May 25, for the Foundation’s annual hike at Palo Duro Canyon.
If your family, or a family you know, could benefit from the services the Ruck Up Foundation provide or if you would like to participate in any of their events, visit their website for more information.