Pantex Proud: Susan DeBault
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Susan DeBault 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.
Construction Project Manager Susan DeBault considers her role to be like that of an orchestra conductor.
“We make sure all the instruments are in tune and that all members are playing from the right sheet of music,” said DeBault. “Within the Facility and Equipment Upgrades and Disposition portfolio, I am responsible for all phases of the project, overall performance, ensuring objectives, schedules, and budgets are met.”
DeBault followed her dad around the world during his career in the U.S. Air Force and grew up primarily on Air Force bases. Her belief in the mission started in 1985.
“I think the most impactful assignment we had as a family was in Berlin, Germany, while it was still under communist control. Seeing people living without freedom made a big impact on me. Working here has given me a greater appreciation of the work we do and the importance of the mission.”
With a degree in Business Management, DeBault has worked in marketing, facility management, and most recently as a project manager for the Texas A&M University system. A little over four years ago, she started in Project Management and because of Pantex was able to make a journey back to Germany.
“Several members of an Integrated Project Team I was on traveled to Poland for a factory acceptance test and landed in Berlin. To see the wall, the barbed wire, the guards all gone—it was incredible.”
DeBault says her favorite part of the job is that every day is different, and there are continual challenges and opportunities to solve problems. She also really likes working with the people in the plant who are going to use the facilities and seeing how their needs are going to be met.
“I learn from every project I work on. That helps you grow, because if you run into a challenge on one project, you take that information with you to the rest of your projects. You apply those lessons learned over and over.”
As the number of new projects on-site continues to increase, more Pantexans will benefit from the expertise and diligence that DeBault brings to the plate.
Why are you proud to be a part of your specific team at Pantex?
We help provide modern facilities that support our mission and production goals. I work with a really distinguished group of people who are very talented. I am always impressed by the caliber of people we have here.
How has teamwork allowed you to grow as an employee?
We have such a talented group of project managers with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Being part of my specific portfolio, other project managers have stepped in to help me when I have faced difficult project challenges and have proposed possible solutions. I highly value the guidance and input that they have given me. When someone is out, another project manager is there to keep their projects going. We have an incredible backup system. I have never experienced this level of teamwork before.
What advice has a team member given you that has helped you in your career at Pantex?
Marlin Connor is the mentor for the Project Management group. He told me early on to actively listen to learn, and that has been so valuable for me. When you start, it feels important to show what you know, but it’s different at Pantex. You have to be humble, ready to listen, and open to learning new processes.
What has surprised you the most since joining Pantex?
How quickly things change within the organization. It’s constantly evolving and improving. Not just with people, but with projects changing to improve efficiency and execution.
What’s your top bucket list item and why?
I love to travel with my husband. My twins just graduated college a year ago, so I think we are finally going to be able make that happen. My dream trip is to travel to Italy—and it’s tentatively in the plans for the next couple of years. When we lived in Europe, we didn’t get to make it to the places I wanted to see in Italy, so I’m excited to go there.
What role does communication play in your job?
Communication is critical to the success of any project. The stakeholders are diverse, and it is vital that you are getting the right input from the right people. You can’t make decisions or operate in a silo here. Communication is the top skill that determines if a project will be successful and is the most important thing we do in my opinion.