Pantex Blog
Pantex’s star-spangled stallion sports a fresh look
Across Amarillo, Canyon, and surrounding communities, about 100 likenesses of the American Quarter Horse dot the plains. Yet, these horses are unlike their living, breathing equine counterparts.
Collectively, the horses comprise “Hoofprints of the American Quarter Horse,” an art display created through a partnership between Center City of Amarillo and the American Quarter Horse Association. For more than a decade, one such horse has stood outside Building 16-12 welcoming visitors and employees.
Astute Pantexans may have noticed “Freedom,” the name given to the Pantex horse, has been missing since late October.
“Over time, the sun faded the beautiful artistic work of the U.S. flag and wind turbines displayed on the horse,” remarked Mission Assurance Officer Colby Yeary. “Just as our aging infrastructure is being recapitalized over time, the horse needed a refresh as well.”
The weather-worn horse was in desperate need of repair. Local artist Gary Ward, a former Canyon art teacher, came highly recommended. Ward, as it turns out, is responsible for the creation and restoration of many of the Hoofprints displays.
“I taught art and computer graphics in Canyon for 25 years,” he explained. “I’ve done a lot of [the horses] — no idea how many, really. I’ve been doing them ever since they started, probably half of them or better. I’ve either done the originals or, like with yours, I’ve been the one repainting them.”
Ward sanded, primed, then repainted Freedom with both automotive and spray paints, adding printed vinyl decals for logos or intricate details — things like the Pantex logo and numerous stars. Finally, the finished product was covered with a durable automotive clear coat.
Yeary said Freedom’s journey reminds him of the cooperation, camaraderie, and national pride exhibited by Pantexans every day.
“For me, it is a symbolic representation of our community, along with the patriotism we embrace as Pantexans,” he said. “As visitors, new employees, and existing employees enter and exit 16-12, seeing this horse can create a lasting impression of our site and what Freedom symbolizes to them.”
People of Pantex: Trent Jones
People of Pantex is a series that highlights what makes Pantexans unique when they are not at our plant and how those activities help them contribute to the mission.
Production Manager Trent Jones takes pride in being a third-generation Pantexan. You may know him, or have seen him around giving a facilities tour, presenting on a new production milestone, or chatting with coworkers in the hallway.
Or selling your grandmother’s Buick.
Jones may have followed in his family’s footsteps out to Pantex, but he was the first to become an auctioneer.
“I had a good friend from church that has an auction company in town, and he influenced me to go to auction school,” Jones said. “Auctions are a thrilling experience, and I’ve always wanted to learn the trade.”
Jones is a licensed auctioneer through the state of Texas, and as such, he has a fiduciary duty to the seller. In a nutshell, he does his best to bring market value to the product being sold, be it a decade-spanning coin collection, ragged patio furniture, or an antique Mustang convertible. Yes, he’s really auctioned off all of those things, and truckloads more...including the trucks.
To do all of this, however, Jones made like Rodney Dangerfield and went back to school.
“I had to memorize numbered drills and tongue twisters before I actually went to auctioneering school,” Jones said. “When I got there, I went through 80 hours of classroom instruction and did some live auctioneering. Additionally, every year I have to complete six hours of continuing education to keep my license.”
Along with schooling, auctioneering students must learn how to perform one trademark characteristic: bid talking. Bid talking is the rhythmic repetition of numbers and filler words, or simply put, the fast-paced, energetic talk we associate with auctioneers. Jones strives to improve, even if it means selling a gently used set of vintage telephone poles as he drives by them.
“It’s just consistent practice every day,” Jones said. “But running your mouth and bid calling is the easy part. The hard part is getting ready for an auction.”
Jones has traveled the Texas Panhandle and down south to Dallas and Waco to sell all types of goods for all types of people. Depending on the venue, he may be in a suit and tie under the glow of a chandelier or in Wranglers and a ballcap kicking up dirt in the country.
With any great performance, a strong warm-up routine is crucial. For Jones, he enjoys reciting tongue twisters before going live. “Betty Botter” with her bitter butter and better batter is always reliable. Jones is familiar with taking center stage, yet he still feels the winged metaphorical cocktail of nervousness and fear in his stomach.
“I’ve worked some auctions before and you start off auctioneering and nobody’s raising their hand,” Jones said. “You’re thinking ‘oh my God, this is going to be a bloodbath,’ but once you get the rhythm going, get the butterflies gone, and excite the crowd, it’s smooth sailing.”
Auctioneering and Jones’ work role share two major similarities. First, public speaking since he gives tours and presentations at Pantex.
The second?
“Teamwork,” Jones said. “In every auction, there’s people that you’re counting on. The clerk is the one taking all your numbers down. A lot of times I don’t remember what I said and I rely on them to repeat it back. You also have a ring man and other auctioneers that you work with. Again, it’s just teamwork. Same thing at Pantex.”
The longer Jones has stayed at Pantex, the more he has realized how truly blessed he is to be part of an enriching work environment and spirited dynamic. What has kept him auctioneering, however, appeals to his adventurous side.
“The auction business is exciting and challenging,” said Jones. “It’s also an adrenaline rush and I need that from time to time. I believe in continual education and always learning something new. Auctioneering is just one of the ways I get to do all of that.”
Pantex recognized for lifesaving contributions with two awards from Coffee Memorial Blood Center
Pantex Occupational Health Services General Administrative Specialist Sandra with the two awards Pantex received from Coffee Memorial Blood Center.
Imagine saving a life with just a few moments of your time. Donating blood is not just a selfless act but also a gift of hope. In a world where every drop counts, rolling up your sleeve to give could be the reason someone gets a second chance.
Pantex has received two awards from Coffee Memorial Blood Center, recognizing its significant role in helping save lives through blood donations. The awards honor the dedication of Pantexans who have consistently contributed to the center’s mission of providing essential blood supplies to 31 counties in the region.
Pantex earned the #1 Lifesaving Partner Award, collecting an impressive 660 donations in a single fiscal year. This achievement earned the plant top honors, securing the number one spot in the Top Ten Business Partners.
Pantex Occupational Health Services General Administrative Specialist Sandra Lightfoot said, “I didn’t even know it was a competition, but it’s one of those things where whoever has the most donations wins.”
Other awards were given out to top 10 high schools, community health centers, hospitals, and churches.
Pantex hosts a bloodmobile on-site, offering employees the opportunity to donate blood every two weeks. Since the bloodmobile began visiting the plant in 2002, the relationship has become a vital part of the center’s operations.
Misti Newsom, director of recruitment and events at Coffee Memorial Blood Center said, “Pantex takes a huge burden off of us with the reliability of being able to come every two weeks.” She continued, “We know and trust that we will be able to collect a minimum of 20 donations while at Pantex, and we’ve even had several blood drives where we left with more than we expected. It’s such a blessing.”
An individual can give blood every 56 days. In addition to regular whole blood donation, Coffee Memorial Blood Center offers the option of a collection process that collects a concentrated amount of red blood cells are then separated from the blood. The other blood components are returned to the donor.
“This type of donation especially helps those with sickle cell anemia or those with a high amount of blood loss.” Lightfoot said. “This type of donor needs to advise they want to do this ahead of time as it is a longer process.”
Lightfoot explained that when urgent needs arise, she sends out emails to encourage additional donations. “Our Pantex community really wants to do their part in helping out. That’s what really brings it home.”
Blood donations have a profound impact, with just one unit of blood capable of saving up to three lives.
“We have to collect 125 units a day to take care of our area patients,” Newsom explained. “Pantex is an invaluable partner in helping us meet this demand. The donors at Pantex are truly altruistic, and we can never thank them enough.”
The awards received from Coffee Memorial Blood Center are a testament to the unwavering support and dedication of the Pantex community.
“All kudos need to go to the Pantexans who donate, even if they donated just once,” Lightfoot said.
For those considering donating blood for the first time, Newsom shared a few tips to make the experience as comfortable as possible. “Be sure to eat well the day of your donation and drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of your donation,” she advised. “Also, don’t look at the needle — just look at your phone or something else. Flexing your glutes and thighs can also help the blood flow during donation. And the most important thing is that you’re saving someone’s life!”
Pantex’s partnership with Coffee Memorial Blood Center is one way the site gives back to the Texas Panhandle community it calls home. Those employees who participate in giving blood are doing their part in being a “Pantex Citizen.”
If you’re interested in donating blood at a Pantex blood drive, keep an eye on The Zone for announcements on upcoming drive dates and times.
Pantex Proud: Kevin Baird
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Kevin Baird 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.
When thinking of jobs at Pantex, many options seem obvious like Production Technician, Security Police Office, and Cyber Security. Others seem like a confusing word association game: high explosives - nuclear deterrence – prairie dog. When Wildlife Biologist Kevin Baird applied to work at the plant, a similar thought ran through his mind.
“Never in a million years did I think of wildlife biologist as a position at a nuclear facility,” Baird stated. “I was blessed to get a position out here and really surprised by the amount of natural space we have and the diversity in the wildlife population.”
Baird’s education and experience gave him a deeper understanding of nature and wildlife preservation, but now his expertise and duty extend to the animals prancing, slithering, and foraging across the estimated 16,000 acres belonging to Pantex.
“I am responsible for running the nuisance animal response team and training new team members,” Baird said. “My role is to address any concerns or issues that may arise regarding wildlife and natural resources. I also oversee the protection and maintenance of our wild areas to preserve them in as natural state as possible.”
Although Baird is continuously fascinated by the furry, feathered, and scaley creatures wandering the plant, there’s another Pantex native mammal that truly stands out to him.
“The people,” Baird said. “There are many different programs, teams, and departments, hosting an array of people from diverse backgrounds. They’re all friendly, helpful, and quick to get the job done. They also do whatever they can to help other groups that may be outside of their immediate department. “
Such comradery in the workplace is healthy and inviting, and in Baird’s case it’s one of the many reasons he loves Pantex. Working here has also afforded him personal growth, and a chance to serve toward a unifying goal.
“There are a lot of great people and opportunities that continue to increase my knowledge of natural resources, and the support to try new things in order to improve and maintain our local habitats,” Baird said. “I may not be directly involved with production, but I know my role is important to help keep things running smoothly. I take pride in knowing that I’m doing my own small part to help protect our nation by enabling the mission. I’m glad I’m here.”
What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?
Assisting with wildlife concerns. This allows me to go all over the plant and meet and interact with employees across all departments. When I take part in resolving a situation, I know that I’m helping protect my fellow employees from possible injury and ensuring that the mission can continue smoothly.
What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Always ask questions about how and why things are being done a certain way. Be willing to offer suggestions for improvements, but take time to learn the processes and the reasons behind them first. Also, try to meet and interact with as many people from as many different departments as possible. As you continue in your career, those connections will greatly help you find unique solutions to problems and to get things done in an expedient manner.
What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Spending time with my wife and daughters. We like going to new places and traveling off the beaten path to explore areas that aren’t always the normal vacation or tourist destinations.
Why is teamwork an important aspect when working at Pantex?
Everyone has a different job, experience, and knowledge set. Working together with other members of your group or across orgs allows you to tap into those different perspectives and try to anticipate issues you may not have anticipated. Additionally, you can leverage these various skills to more efficiently resolve issues and complete tasks.
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.