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.