News

Stefanie Hulcy and Zuleyma Carruba-Rogel were named as recipients of the 2024 Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40 award.

Two Pantexans have been named among the 2024 Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40. This annual distinction celebrates young professionals who have demonstrated professional excellence and bring value to the Amarillo business community. Recipients are selected based on their professional achievements and community involvement.

Stefanie Hulcy, Senior Security Specialist, a Pantexan for more than eight years, is a spearheaded the launch of the Mothers at Work affinity group, which seeks to help mothers transition back in to the workplace. Outside of Pantex, Hulcy and her husband founded the Yellow City Spark Fastpitch, a girls’ softball organization. The organization requires their athletes to do 10 hours of community service each season. She also has led the Be the Spark Sporting Good Drive, which has provided more than 100 children with gear they needed to get started in their chosen sport. Currently, Hulcy has assembled a school-supply drive and serves on the West Texas Fastpitch advisory board, where she works closely with the youth sports community.

“Being recognized by the Amarillo Chamber is incredibly humbling,” said Hulcy. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and I truly do have the best group of people around me. So many people help me out each day and I know that I couldn’t do any of this without them.”

Zuleyma Carruba-Rogel, a Pantexan for more than three years, worked on the HR team at Pantex and championed various educational partnerships. She then joined the Performance Improvement team and has started building her skillsets as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, to help Pantex improve processes.

Carruba-Rogel started demonstrating community service when she was in the Fourth grade. Her volunteer experience focuses on providing college and career advice to support Amarillo citizens and others through various networks across the nation. While at college, she founded a student organization which provided at-risk high school students with college-readiness support services.

On her visits home to Amarillo, she led presentations to help disadvantaged students see college as an option for them.

After receiving her education, she went to work for Amarillo Independent School District, where she established the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department through which she developed and delivered various programs and trainings for parents across the district.

“I feel incredibly honored and humbled for this recognition,” Carruba-Rogel said. “I’m deeply grateful for all the people God blessed me with along the way to help me break generational cycles. Thanks to my parents’ sacrifices, I get to live a life that as a child was unimaginable.”

Carruba-Rogel has also served on a range of committees in support of the community, including United Way, Operation First Five, Panhandle Community Partnerships, and Los Barrios de Amarillo.

“We are very proud of both Stefanie and Zuleyma’s selection as Top 20 Under 40 recipients,” said Site Manager Colby Yeary. “Their achievements exemplify the company’s values of excellence and commitment to the community. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they have made on our team and the Amarillo community. We are incredibly proud to have them as Pantexans.”

Both recipients were recognized for their achievements on August 22.

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. Do you have a talent or hobby that makes you stand out in a crowd? Were you ever a contestant on a popular daytime game show? Are you a former member of a famous 70s rock band? If so, we want to talk to you and share your story in an upcoming feature.

Pantex Classification Officer Marley Hoggatt regularly finds herself giving presentations and teaching classes to large groups of employees about how they can identify sensitive information. While the mere thought of speaking in front of an audience causes many to recoil in terror, it’s second nature for Hoggatt, thanks to her years of experience playing to a crowd.

Hoggatt was a shy child, and her parents thought that theater camp might help bring Hoggatt out of her shell, so they signed her up for camp at the one and only Amarillo Little Theatre (ALT), an Amarillo institution established in 1927, making it one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the country. Hoggatt describes her first camp show as the moment that she knew that theater was something of which she would always want to be a part.

“I was terrified, because it was a musical, and we had to go onstage and sing in front of everyone—and I don’t think I’d said a word to anyone all day. I didn’t know any of the other kids,” she said. “I got up there and started singing, and the music director looked up like he was surprised that the girl who’d tried to hide in the back could actually sing. I was terrified of him, the director, and the choreographer. Allen Shankles, the director, never stopped scaring me—but he also made me laugh, helped me grow as a professional, taught me to dream big, and challenged me to strive to make things the best they can be in the places I have influence.”

Since then, Hoggatt has been an actress in around 25 productions. She has also been on the board for ALT for the last 7 years, including the last 2 serving as board president. Hoggatt has even lent a hand backstage on a few shows to run sound and lights and helped out by printing props on her 3D printer. When asked why she is so active in ALT and why it is so important to get involved in activities outside of work, Hoggatt’s answer is simple: community.

“Being a part of ALT means being a part of an incredible community,” she said. “Everyone involved is different. We all have different strengths, beliefs, values, and viewpoints—but we come together as a community to create something that brings joy to others.”

Though Hoggatt remembers fondly the good times she has had with her ALT community, she also has to remember the times that the same community brought her through a tough period.

“In 2018, I was cast in Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with some good friends and some people I didn’t know as well,” Hoggatt said. “We were about 2 weeks into rehearsals when I found out that my dad was very ill. I decided to quit the show, but my dad told me I couldn’t—'the show must go on’ and all that.

“[My dad] went into hospice care the day we opened the show,” she continued. “I don’t remember much about doing the show at all, but I will never forget the way the cast and crew carried me through it. Their kindness and love helped me survive the most devastating time of my life, and that cast are some of my best friends to this day—that’s why ALT is a community that I will always treasure and feel so grateful to be a part of!”

There may not be many similarities between her job and the theater, but one thing that remains consistent is the sense of community and hard work that Hoggatt brings to her roles on and off the stage.

“I always find room for improvement in my performance, no matter where I am,” she said. “I also believe that you can accomplish great things on your own, but if you’re not bringing others up with you, you’re not really a success. If I’m with the cast of a show or with my team at work, I want everyone to have the same opportunities, be able to learn and grow, and receive recognition for their own work.”

Tramicah Young, who also lives in both the Pantex and ALT worlds with Hoggatt as an ALT board member and as a member of Hoggatt’s work team, complimented her on the way she treats her community at both places.

“Marley is a highly motivated, artistic, goal achieving individual,” Young said. “She leads by example and wants the best for all around her.”

Hoggatt was recently asked to be a part of an all-female showcase in which she sang “Somewhere That’s Green” from her previous leading role in Little Shop of Horrors, as well as “You’ll Be Back” from the musical Hamilton. The show, Leading Ladies, brought together women who have performed in the ALT over the past 20 years.

“I was incredibly honored to perform alongside some of the most talented women I know—it was the most fun I’ve ever had on stage,” said Hoggatt. “Nothing is quite like the Amarillo Little Theatre.”

To hear more from Hoggatt about why it’s important for Pantexans to have a community outside of work and see her prepare for her latest performance, watch this video.

Occupational Health Services staff at both CNS sites perform a wide array of services to support employees’ physical and emotional health.

Occupational Health Services employees may not typically be viewed as “front-line workers” for Pantex’s mission, the people who are part of this team embody the site’s purpose just as much as the protective force or technicians working the line. They’re part of a team that has served Pantexans for decades.

“Pantex is now the longest-running accredited clinic in [Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care] in the history of DOE facilities being audited,” Morris noted.

Having cared for employees’ health since the 1970s, employees might be surprised at the incredible range of services today’s clinic provides. They perform hundreds of physicals each month, on top of on-the-job injuries, job-transfer physicals, and hew-hire physicals. Morris regularly meets with Human Resources staff to project the number of those pre-employment physicals so his team can appropriately staff to address the demand.

“We have been able to give HR eight empty slots per day,” he said. “We fill the rest with reschedules, follow-up appointments, etc. On any given Monday, we could have 50 [return-to-work approvals],” Morris said. “Our case managers are really good at triaging those and flowing them to the providers. We get lots of calls with people asking, ‘I’ve got a headache. Do you have ibuprofen?’ And, we do –– we’ll take care of those things.”

Morris compared OHS to an urgent-care facility in town, stating that people may come in and say things like, “I’m having chest pains. Can you check me out?”

Such instances call for urgent action.

“About once a month, we will see somebody in [atrial fibrillation] or having a heart attack, and we’ll send them to the emergency room,” Morris said.

Not every request, though, is predictable.

“We got a phone call last week: ‘Do you guys do pregnancy tests?’” Morris recalled.

The answer?

“We never have before, but we will if the person needs a medication or medical test that may interfere with, or be a risk to a pregnancy.”

Luckily for Pantexans, challenges don’t intimidate OHS clinic staff.

“Professionally, [the benefit of the clinic is] the urgent-care aspect,” Morris said. “If you have a stuffy nose, you don’t have to suffer through it, and don’t have to go home and take

Take 5 minutes to learn about Brandon T., Bay/Cell & Prod/Disposition project controls representative. This article details his role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture CNS offers.

Staying on budget and on schedule—two high-priority tasks that Brandon T. ensures in his work supporting portfolio and project managers.

“I work with the Integrated Project team to develop solutions to challenges that arise on multimillion-dollar and multifaceted construction projects and enjoy the collaboration of working with so many Pantexans,” Brandon said. “It’s truly a team atmosphere.”

Being part of a team is something Brandon is used to. He has been at Pantex for 3 years and previously worked for the Department of Defense, plus served in the U. S. Navy for 10 years.

On a daily basis, Brandon manages a spreadsheet that tracks all costs for the entire bay/cell portfolio –– which includes the design, build, and testing of the high-pressure fire loop, the Flame Detection System, and the updates to the Radiation Alarm Monitoring System in production facilities.

“Continually updating that spreadsheet and tracking portfolio costs makes it a continually moving target that must be managed constantly to ensure the budget does not get overrun,” he said. “Managing that makes me feel like my role in portfolio works toward keeping a successful mission.”

Brandon enjoys discussing the bay/cell portfolio and project costs with managers. He is always ready to defend and explain the numbers of a project to ensure accurate reporting. Making a decision and sticking with it is one way he has dealt with problem-solving in his role.

“Everyone has their own ways of problem-solving, but when it comes to making a decision, people tend to become hesitant and question themselves on if they have made the best decision,” Brandon said. “There are many ways to handle an issue, but it cannot be resolved unless you or someone else makes the decision on how to do it and sticks with it.”

Whether he’s solving a problem, laboring over a spreadsheet, or crunching numbers, Brandon is proud to be a Pantexan.

“I love having this great opportunity to continue my service to our country,” he said. “I see so many people at Pantex who want to serve our nation and protect our national security, making America and Amarillo an even better place to live.”

What has surprised you the most since joining CNS?
Coming from the Department of Defense, I wasn’t surprised with much of the security measures or quality checks, but how far in advance projects are being planned and managed to forecast expected costs from contractor to CNS support surprised me.

What is one thing your coworkers be surprised to know about you?
I enjoy helping my wife make candles! Shoutout to her and her company Scenter Stage!

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
I enjoy going shooting! I picked up the joys of shooting when I was in the Navy and it has stuck with me since. It is a skill that always must be practiced or will be lost and there are always new skills to be learned or improved.

Take 5 minutes to learn about Elizabeth B., a Pantex senior administrative assistant. This article details her role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture CNS offers. Now included in the questions is one related to a CNS performance element (communications, teamwork, problem‑solving, accountability, interpersonal, technical competence, or leadership). All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

In her role, Liz B. sees firsthand the difference her Pantex colleagues make through their attitude and dedication.

“My favorite part of my work environment is the people,” she explained. “We have great people in our organization who work hard, get their jobs done daily, and can laugh and joke while doing that.”

Being able to laugh and have fun helps keep Liz grounded as she manages tasks that range from mundane meetings and room scheduling to the vital, such as document preparation and managing organizational changes. Through the flurry of daily activity, having encouraging, dedicated, and hardworking people around her, Liz said, creates a more inviting work environment that makes everyone more productive.

“It’s nice to want to come to work every day and be around great people—because when people are happy, they work harder and you can see the mission being accomplished.”

What Liz may sometimes forget, though, is the profound degree to which she contributes to the positive environment she, too, enjoys.

“She follows through on every detail, and is a great asset to her organization.”

That’s how one colleague viewed her, and he wasn’t alone. Liz’s supervisor, Monty B., called her a “perfect fit” for his team.

“She is very proactive about reaching out to her mentors to learn the multitude of business systems it takes to run the office, and then is very willing to share her knowledge with others in the team,” he explained. “Liz is always willing to help others, and her contagious, positive attitude is greatly appreciated by those who work with her every day.”

For her part, Liz sees herself as just modeling for others the kind of behavior she would want in their place.

“I think my greatest strength is [my] willingness to help,” she said, also stressing the importance of putting pride aside when outside assistance is warranted. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help,” Liz continued. “Be your own advocate because there are plenty of good people out here willing to help you learn.”

A collaborative spirit and a commitment to continued learning—these are hallmarks of employee excellence and, as Monty pointed out, the outcome of this approach often enriches not only individual employees, but the entire organization as well.

“Liz has a talent for coming up with better ways to accomplish the work, so she is a great sounding board for ideas,” he said. “Pantex is very fortunate to have someone of Liz’s character and competence help us with the incredible mission we have.”

For much of her life, that incredible mission went on completely outside of Liz’s attention.

“I have lived … my entire life close to the Pantex plant and had no real idea how this place helped protect our country until coming to work out here. I have a new respect for what this place does for our entire country.”

Perhaps she was too busy with her previous career as a nurse over an 11-year span which saw her provide vital services to those in need, a facet of her professional life that has not changed.

“I enjoyed working as a nurse, and I enjoy my job here at Pantex now. I just like helping people and knowing that what I do makes a difference.”

Make a difference?

Indeed, she does.

Everyone offers value to our tasks. Why must we be open to learning and hearing from others?
No one is right all the time. No one is perfect, and there is always someone out there who has more knowledge who we can learn from. We have to be humble enough to ask, pay attention when we are learning something new, and be a good steward by passing the information along.

How has teamwork allowed you to grow as an employee?
I am very independent, but working here has shown me that it is OK to ask for help when I need it, and that I can rely on my teammates to help so that I don’t become overwhelmed.

What characteristics define a good leader to you?
A good leader is someone who can inspire people to work hard for them and get the best out of people without even having to try hard. They lead by example, setting goals and expectations, hold people accountable while still understanding and realizing that we are all humans who sometimes make mistakes. A good leader will never ask someone to do something they themselves wouldn’t be willing to do.

What is your top bucket list item, and why?
I have a long bucket list, but one of the things at the top would have to be going to Alaska and going fishing for king salmon. I love anything outdoors, and seeing Alaska would be amazing to me.

In your view, what about Pantex makes it a unique community?
One surprise to me is how many different backgrounds make up the people of Pantex. The people who work here are from all over the country, and it makes us diverse and unique, and it increases the strengths of Pantex as a whole.

AMARILLO, Texas. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure recently presented Excellence Awards to teams supporting infrastructure at Y-12 National Security Complex and the Pantex Plant. The annual award program recognizes teams and individuals for infrastructure-related accomplishments that advance the NNSA mission. Three teams from the Y-12 National Security Complex and four teams at the Pantex Plant were recognized for work completed in Fiscal Year 2023.

The award-winning teams are made up of Consolidated Nuclear Security employees from Pantex and Y-12 as well as NNSA’s Y-12 and Pantex field offices. The infrastructure improvements they were recognized for ranged from operations to emergency response support.

“These award-winning projects highlight our outstanding commitment to improve facilities and infrastructure in order to continue safe and secure delivery to our wide variety of customers,” NS Chief Operations Officer Chris Harkins said. “Recognition from NNSA reinforces that our teams are among the top in the nation.”

Pantex projects include upgrades, replacements, and rapid response

The Pantex projects receiving awards included bay and cell upgrades, equipment replacements, and a quick-turn electrical outage.

NNSA’s Office of Infrastructure ensures the existing buildings and systems we have are safely operated, effectively managed, and that the facilities being added are adequately maintained to meet mission needs,” Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong said. “These individuals have raised the bar of mission success for many years to come.”

The Pantex Bay and Cell Portfolio is a multiyear suite of projects to upgrade the bays and cells where Pantex performs critical assembly and disassembly work. A team working two projects in the portfolio, the High-Pressure Fire Loop and the Flame Detection System, delivered more systems in less time than expected, allowing additional availability for mission work.

Two teams replaced aging equipment on site. The first team demonstrated exceptional agility, timeliness, and collaboration to find and install a new air compressor after an aging air compressor failed. The second team removed combustibles and repaired a fire protection system and associated utilities in a vital operations facility 17 weeks ahead of schedule with a
perfect safety record.

Finally, another Pantex team completed a complicated series of electrical switching and system impairments flawlessly, safely, and in record time in response to a cable failure.

These projects highlight the breadth and caliber of work at Pantex and Y-12 as the sites continue infrastructure modernization efforts.

Y-12 projects include new facilities, process improvements

The award-winning projects at Y-12 included the new operations center and fire station as well as shipping and receiving improvements.

“Infrastructure work impacts the mission, but it also has an intensely personal impact for every employee on site,” Y-12 Field Office Manager Mary Helen Hitson said. “Each of these projects, while impressive in their own rights, directly improve employee safety, security, and morale.”

One team replaced two 1940s-era facilities on-site, the Y-12 Fire Station and Operations Center. The new emergency services buildings modernize operations and improve quality of work-life for first responders who occupy facilities around the clock, 365 days a year. The work, completed as an NNSA pilot program for construction, successfully demonstrated that a similar construction approach can be applied at other sites.

Two teams responded to ongoing challenges in shipping and receiving. The first drove wireless capability installation to track real-time shipments using laptops and tablets, reducing delivery time by 25%. The second developed the first ever overarching program for disposal of material, creating and revising procedures, training users, and conducting assessments.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

This West Interconnect Recovery team was honored with an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure for successfully completing a complicated outage 4 weeks ahead of schedule.

Two teams were honored for replacing equipment in bays and cells, both earning an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure. The team pictured above worked on upgrades to the Flame Detection System and six High-Pressure Fire Loop systems. The team below performed necessary maintenance to cells.

This team was honored with an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure for the replacement of an aging air compressor. They worked through delays and supply-chain issues to make this replacement happen.

Two teams were honored for replacing equipment in bays and cells, both earning an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure. The team pictured above worked on upgrades to the Flame Detection System and six High-Pressure Fire Loop systems. The team below performed necessary maintenance to cells.

Take 5 minutes to learn about Pantex employee Jim F. This article details his role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture that CNS offers. Now included in the questions is one related to a CNS performance element (communications, teamwork, problem solving, accountability, interpersonal, technical competence, or leadership). All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

Linchpin––that term describes an object, function or process that holds together all elements of a complicated structure, making possible its operation or success.

Jim F. is just one of what he views as thousands of linchpins working at Pantex. He specializes in installing large commercial equipment across the plant, yet he sees his role through the lens of humility, as evidenced by one key memory he shared:

“There was an occasion while I was on travel,” he recalled. “I was picking up a rental car. The agent noticed I worked for Consolidated Nuclear Security. He asked me with a thick Russian accent, ‘Nuclear security? You must be pretty special. What do you do?’ I was thinking to myself, ‘Am I about to be followed? This situation could turn bad.’ I told him, ‘Not really, I just install commodes and roads.’”

“The true reality is,” Jim continued, “we are all pretty special here at Pantex because we are all vital to the mission, no matter what our job title is. We all make this place work.”

Jim’s share in this ‘pretty special’ place began in spring of 1994 when he was hired in Waste Operations.

The funny thing is that, despite having served his nation in the Coast Guard and proudly possessing a strong patriotic fervor, for much of his life, Pantex was nowhere on his occupational radar. Were it not for an early-career injury, he might have continued to pursue a career as an air-traffic controller. The unexpected turn of events has given Pantex decades of benefit from his personal and professional leadership.

“I did not have any intentions of seeking a job at Pantex,” he recalled. “However, it turned out some of my classmates and instructors worked at Pantex. My relationships with those folks led to an opportunity to interview for a position in the Waste Operations department.”

Key relationships combined with lots of hard work and dedication—these are reoccurring themes in any discussion with Jim, who has made the utmost out of these principles in both his personal and professional life.

Pretty special, indeed.

What is your top bucket list item, and why?
I would like to sail to Antarctica and pull ports in Australia and New Zealand on the way there and back. I have never been south of the equator. During my time in the Coast Guard, I served on a ship out of Kodiak, Alaska, that was capable of breaking ice. We sailed into the Arctic Ocean to escort research vessels into the ice.

What characteristics define a good leader to you?
There are a few virtues that I live my life by: trust, detachment, thoughtfulness, joy, kindness, courage, tranquility, focus, humility, wisdom, orderliness, generosity, gratitude, self-control, assertiveness, and integrity.

Share a lesson learned from a leader in your past. Why was this a good (or bad) lesson?
A good listener makes a good leader. Several years ago, I participated in a training for future managers. The plant manager at the time was listening to a discussion that my group was having. Later that week, he quoted something I had said during that conversation. I was impressed that he actively listened to what I had to say.

Who in your life has most inspired you, and why?
My wife has been my greatest inspiration. If not for my relationship with her, I would not be working here today. She encouraged me to go back to school and pursue a different path in my life.

Donation replaces city’s damaged emergency vehicle

AMARILLO, Texas– On June 15, 2023, the town of Perryton was hit by an EF-3 tornado, killing three people, and causing millions of dollars in damage, including the Perryton Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services station.

That night, Pantex received a call from Carson County officials, asking if emergency assistance could be sent to Perryton, according to Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock. “We received the request a few hours after the tornado hit. Even though Perryton is not in our mutual aid area, the request came from one of our mutual aid partners, and we responded with an ambulance. If able, we are always happy to assist when needed in any of our Panhandle area communities.”

During that storm, Perryton’s only ambulance was destroyed. The ambulance Pantex originally sent to Perryton for assistance had just replaced an older ambulance and was due to be excessed. CNS and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) agreed to loan Perryton the use of the excessed ambulance for a year through an Agreement in Principle with the state of Texas.

“When the question was raised about further assistance by getting an ambulance to them, everyone involved--from headquarters to the firefighters who dropped the ambulance off -- never wavered in their commitment to help out neighbors across the region,” said Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong.

In addition, CNS reached back out to NNSA to determine if additional assistance could be provided, including transferring ownership of the loaned ambulance to Perryton. Almost a year to the day later, Pantex received word on June 24 of this year that the loaned ambulance has been permanently transferred to the city of Perryton.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov

Pantex employees (from left to right) Brandy Morgan, Matthew Rainey, and Amy King of Kiesler Police Supply, Inc.

AMARILLO, Tx. – Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) honored Kiesler Police Supply, Inc. and Manhattan Legacy Service, LLC, as Small Businesses of the Year for fiscal year 2023. Kiesler Police Supply has provided Pantex with supplies for the site’s Protective Force since 2015. Manhattan Legacy Service has supported the Y-12 National Security Complex since 2017 by providing business and technical services.

Kiesler delivers critical items

“It was a wonderful surprise to win this award,” Kiesler representative Amy King said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to actually meet some of the people I work with on a regular basis via phone and e-mail.”

Kiesler was nominated by Matthew Rainey of Supply Chain Management, who said Kiesler is proactive and provides great customer service to Pantex.

“Kiesler Police Supply has been instrumental in procuring equipment for ProForce,” he said. “Over the last year, they have been able to assist us in meeting our ammunition needs and have always been willing to go the extra mile for us. They have also delivered ahead of schedule on some critical items that were impacted by supply chain issues. Kiesler continues to work to find solutions for us on items that are becoming increasingly hard to procure due to global strains on supply.”

Dedication to small businesses

CNS continued its commitment to small businesses in 2023, spending more than $500 million with small businesses. Y-12 spent more than $400 million with small businesses, including $134 million in the East Tennessee region. Pantex spent $138.2 million with small businesses, including $75.4 million spent in the Amarillo area.

Protégé excels

In 2021, Manhattan Legacy Service (MLS) signed a mentor-protégé agreement with Y-12. This agreement helped the company grow their business and provide knowledgeable and experienced employees to CNS. The company also received assistance from APEX Accelerator, which assists businesses in competing in federal, state and local government contracting.

On winning the award, Diana West, president and CEO of MLS, said, “This is the result of the knowledgeable and experienced employees who continue to be dedicated to providing quality service to Consolidated Nuclear Security. As a protégé of the Mentor-Protégé program, MLS could not have been this successful without the assistance of not only the mentor, Bill Barrett of Y-12 Field Intelligence, but also Greta Ownby of Y-12 Small Business, Jutta Bangs of APEX Accelerator, and the Y-12 Procurement group.”

“Exceptional company”

Kelli Culp of Y-12 Procurement nominated MLS for Small Business of the Year.

“The owner and her team are dependable, efficient, and easy to work with—an exceptional company overall,” she said.

MLS provides consultation, guidance, knowledge, and expertise to Y-12 and other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prime contractors. In 2023, their personnel mentored new employees in the NNSA Office of Defense Programs Strategic Materials Production Modernization, providing valuable background and perspective in national security.

MLS also provided technical and programmatic nuclear nonproliferation support for CNS Program Integration. Further, through the precious metal recycle and reuse program, MLS has saved DOE approximately $1.2 million. By identifying and removing difficult materials that have been stored for more than 20 years, MLS has and continues to open space for CNS’s reuse.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Corporate and employee contributions totaled more than $100,000

AMARILLO, Texas– Fundraising efforts following the largest Panhandle area wildfires in Texas history have concluded at Pantex. Corporate donations along with employee contributions and local fundraising efforts has resulted in $101,036 dollars being raised for local wildfire relief.

Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the management and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, joined with its parent companies in fundraising efforts at Pantex. The charitable arm of CNS parent company Bechtel, the Bechtel Group Foundation donated $25,000 to Hutchinson County United Way, matching up to $25,000 in additional funds donated by its employees around the world and Leidos, a CNS parent company, also donated $10,000 to the United Way of Hutchinson County, along with other corporate donations.

Pantex hosted fundraisers from the sales of commemorative t-shirts as well a portion of food sales from Pantex’s cafeteria along with more than a dozen food trucks onsite.

While there was no damage to Pantex property and no Pantex employees were injured at the plant as the wildfires abated about three miles from the plant’s boundary, the Pantex Fire Department built firebreaks, prepared the plant for the fires, and responded to communities near the plant.

“Thanks to the swift efforts, properties were protected and Pantex remained safe,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex Site Manager. “There has been an outpouring of Panhandle pride and spirit through donations, volunteer efforts, and assistance coming in from all over the area and across the state. We wanted to show our own support to our communities in need through our own fundraising efforts.”

The donated funds have been presented to the United Way of Hutchinson County and the Amarillo Area Foundation for distribution.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov