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Pantexan Brandi L. has contributed her efforts to Pantex and its mission for a decade-and-a-half in several different departments.

Brandi is an Amarillo native and graduated from West Texas A&M University with a degree in chemistry and biology.

“I had always been interested in a job at Pantex,” Brandi said. “I was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle. While I certainly didn’t understand the full mission of the plant when I was younger, I knew the mission was important to the United States and felt I wanted to be a part of that mission.”

While still a student, she made use of WT’s career services to assist with things like resumes and interviewing skills and, after she graduated, got a job working for a local environmental company. Then the personnel in the WT Career Services called her. They were having a career fair and knew that Pantex was looking for personnel with her skills. They had printed off her resume and asked her if she’d be able to come in for an interview.

“That was 15 years ago, and I still think about that scenario from time to time and feel blessed that the Career Services people, even though I had already graduated, were in my corner, and that [Pantex] took a chance on me,” Brandi said.

As an employee, what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered as a transparent leader who could be trusted to do what I said I was going to do.

What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Never stop listening and learning. The opportunities to make an impact at either site are endless. However, in order to make an impact, you must be willing to listen twice as much as you speak. Find the mentors and confidantes that you can run your ideas by and who are willing to provide constructive feedback.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
I love to fish, even when I don’t catch a thing! Going fishing with my husband and son provides for me a work-life balance and much-needed downtime where I can truly be present with my family.

Linda Brohlin has worked at Pantex for more than 50 years, and she was recognized for her service by Site Manager Colby Yeary

On May 14, 1973, the United States launched the Skylab, the world’s very first space station. Stevie Wonder had the nation’s No. 1 hit, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” And Linda B. reported to her first day of work at Pantex as an experienced clerk.

An Amarillo native, Linda had graduated with a degree in business education and office administration at what is now West Texas A&M University on May 12; she started her job at Pantex, which was at that time operated by Mason & Hanger, two days later.

“My mama and daddy were so proud of me [getting this job],” Linda says with a smile. “When I first got the opportunity to come out here when I was in college, I was so excited. I had friends’ parents who worked out here, and I thought it sounded like an exciting place to work. And it is interesting stuff.”

Half a century later, she now supports the efforts of the Metal Trades Council, which itself represents the interests of more than 1,200 Pantex workers.

What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?
My favorite thing is being able to help people.

When I can help somebody – they ask, “how do you do so and so?” And I can help them figure out how to do it, and then the light comes on, “Oh, I get it now.” I enjoy being able to interact with the people I work with.

Anything I can help do for someone brings joy to my heart. I like to be able to help people with whatever they need, whether it’s a work question or just being a friend to them and help them be comfortable.

How does patriotism factor into your life? Did your level of patriotism change after working at Pantex?
It makes me think of my daddy, who was in the U.S. Coast Guard, and my grandmother, who worked out here when it was Proctor & Gamble, way back long ago.

My daddy was so proud to be a Coast Guard veteran. He would put the flag out on the house, and when we had family gatherings, we’d talk about it. It makes me feel proud that I know how proud he was to be serving his country. And, in my way, I can do the same thing.

I know so many people that have a patriotic mindset; we’re all willing to do what we can do and work together to make all this come together for the good of our families, the company, and our whole United States.

Incoming Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong has a lot on his plate but also every confidence in the men and women alongside whom he serves

Among the hundreds of names representing all the new faces at Pantex in recent months, one stands out. What makes this name unique isn’t the name itself but rather the title that comes with it: NNSA Pantex Field Office manager.

“Pantex has always been highly capable, efficient, and has been doing great work,” said Jason Armstrong, reflecting on the job before him.

Armstrong’s dress is a touch on the informal side. Indeed, little about the man points to his recent leadership of a workforce of some 4,000 people or the billion-plus annual budget he oversaw as the Savannah River Field Office Manager at Aiken, South Carolina.

Instead, Armstrong reflects, in many ways, the people he has come to both direct and serve. His office door is open wide. He proudly extolls his Hispanic mother’s Latin American heritage. Oh, and is that a smattering of ink peeking out from his rolled-up sleeves? At home, a Harley-Davidson waits for Armstrong to fire it up for a relaxing cruise.

“I have no doubt Pantex will be successful again,” Armstrong mulled. “People here know how to get things done. You’ve always found ways to get to ‘yes.’ So, when the opportunity came [to return to Pantex], I said, ‘yes, sign me up!’”

Armstrong’s personal synergy with the Texas Panhandle is no accident, according to NNSA Production Office Manager Teresa Robbins.

“I am so excited Jason has joined our team at Pantex,” she reflected. “When the administrator asked me if there was anyone I knew in NNSA who could do the job, I immediately thought of Jason. He is an experienced leader in DOE and NNSA. He is personable and likes to engage with people to ensure they have what they need to get the job done. He is passionate about our mission and quick to recognize successes and accomplishments. I am confident Jason is the right leader to guide Pantex and to continue the Pantex legacy of sustaining our nuclear deterrent through on-time delivery and high-quality products.”

Dr. Joseph Heppert, Texas Tech University’s vice president for research and innovation shaking hands with Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary during a recent Strategic Partnership meeting.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC and Texas Tech University are proud to announce their strategic partnership aimed at fostering innovation in West Texas and the development of creative solutions to challenges directly related to national security.

This groundbreaking initiative leverages synergies between the Texas Tech Innovation Hub and Pantex to develop tools, technologies and critical skills important for nuclear and national security. Texas Tech benefits from this partnership by developing opportunities for students and faculty to support real-world national security missions. Pantex benefits from its ability to support its vital national security mission by providing access to talent, expertise and research and development facilities.

“Texas Tech University is extremely proud of its long history of collaboration with CNS,” said Dr. Joseph Heppert, Texas Tech University’s vice president for research and innovation. “TTU has repeatedly been the recipient of national recognition for the quality and success of our graduates from in all fields of study. This expanded partnership between the university and CNS will allow us to collaborate in fostering the next generation of innovators through strategic initiatives and competitions,”

Through this partnership, the organizations’ leadership aspires to achieve the following goals:

• Synergy and collaboration: Bringing together the diverse talent pool and knowledge base of Texas Tech University and Pantex to innovate and address crucial challenges.
• Innovative problem solving: Harnessing innovative thinking to tackle national security challenges and uncover new opportunities for technology transfer and commercialization.
• Workforce development: Engaging students, faculty and community members to identify and connect with potential talent for future recruitment or collaborative partnerships.
• Knowledge transfer: Facilitating the exchange of industry-specific challenges and academic knowledge, contributing to the advancement of both academia and industry.
• Community engagement: Strengthening the relationship between the Pantex community, Texas Tech University, and the Amarillo and the Lubbock communities.

About Pantex
Pantex, the nation’s only assembly/disassembly facility for nuclear weapons, is integral to the nation's Nuclear Security Enterprise because it applies unique capabilities to ensure the effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile in support of the nation's nuclear deterrent.

“The enhanced partnership between Pantex and Texas Tech University is symbiotic in that it will enable another level of innovation and benefit to each organization,” said Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary. “With this partnership, Pantexans will learn about the latest technologies, processes, and innovators that can provide value to our site, while Red Raiders will have increased exposure to Pantex, including career opportunities that may align well to their professional goals and skill sets. It’s a textbook definition of a win-win scenario.”

Pantex cultivates a work environment that balances dedication to its mission with a culture that encourages growth, collaboration and a sense of fulfillment among its employees. Through the partnership with Texas Tech, Pantex intends to showcase career prospects that inspire students to pursue national and nuclear security professions.

The Pantex Innovation Challenge
As a part of this new partnership, Pantex and the Texas Tech Innovation Hub invite students from across Raiderland to join in the Pantex Innovation Challenge on Friday, October 13. The one-day event introduces students with a passion for STEM-related fields to developing solutions to problem sets provided by Pantex.

Students participating in the program will form teams, identify and develop solutions through interactive workshops, and network with industry professionals and mentors. The top three to five teams will have the opportunity to win $7,000 in cash prizes and advance to the Innovation Hub's iLaunch Competition Pantex Track, vying for a chance to secure a $5,000 prize.

This initiative represents a unique and exciting opportunity for aspiring innovators to contribute to the vital mission of ensuring national security. Pantex and Texas Tech University invite all enthusiastic individuals to join us in this collaborative endeavor.

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

Thomas Edison State University representative Thomas Phillips (front row, from left) and Pantex Deputy Site Manager Kenny Steward sign a memorandum of understanding that offers Pantex employees deferred tuition and a reduced tuition rate for the school’s online programs. Looking on are (back row, from left) Pantex employee Justin Fox, Carlos Alvorado of the National Nuclear Safety Administration Production Office and Pantex employee Shelbi Gray.

AMARILLO, Texas – Pantex recently welcomed representatives from Thomas Edison State University to sign a memorandum of understanding that could significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for employees pursuing online degrees from the Trenton, N.J., school.

“As we achieve new and innovative ways to increase the knowledge and skills of our employees, we commensurately increase our performance at the Pantex Plant,” said Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary. “This partnership represents an across-the-board win for our employees, the site and TESU.”

The agreement signed Aug. 30 at the site’s John C. Drummond Center provides employees at both Pantex and its Consolidated Nuclear Security sister site, Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with a corporate tuition rate, lets them defer payment for classes at TESU, and in some cases provides academic credit for time spent on the job. Employees can combine this new opportunity with the existing CNS tuition-reimbursement program to significantly lower their out-of-pocket expenses and the time required to obtain a degree or certification.

“Partnerships such as this one are a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and affordable education to those who seek it,” said Thomas Edison President Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D. “We are excited to be a part of this initiative and look forward to empowering Pantex and Y-12 employees on their educational journey."

Pantex recruiter Zuleyma Carruba-Rogel said the agreement holds potential to increase Pantex employees’ skills and upward mobility.

“This strategic partnership with TESU is poised to help Pantex build internal pathways for critical skills and hard-to-fill positions. TESU offers competitive degrees in nuclear engineering, homeland security and emergency management that can result in upskilling opportunities and open new career pathways for Pantexans,” she said.

The exciting new opportunity was the idea of Justin Fox, a manager at Pantex, as a way to retain and grow one of his promising employees — and potentially many more.

“The hope is that we incentivize people to go back to school,” Fox explained. “With the corporate tuition rate, deferred tuition costs and flexibility with classes, it overcomes many of the hurdles our staff face in going back to school. That was the premise to help my employees.”

Fox engaged others at Pantex and officials at TESU. He hoped a dialogue with the University would open pathways not just for his employee, but others at Pantex and Y-12.

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.

Thomas Edison State University, like all higher education institutions, continuously updates and enhances degree requirements to meet the ever-changing needs of students and the workforce. For this reason, only TESU staff is authorized to advise students on what CNS employees’ courses satisfy specific TESU degree requirements. Students should only seek advice about transferring credit to TESU from TESU advisors. To be advised by TESU, students should apply to TESU, select a degree program, and speak to a TESU advisor.

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

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

More than $1.22 million awarded by Pantex managing contractor since the program’s inception

AMARILLO, Texas – Sixteen Panhandle non-profits received a total of $150,000 from the Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Community Investment Fund at a ceremony September 27.

Now in its eighth year, the fund has awarded a cumulative $1.22 million dollars with152 grants to nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle.

The Community Investment Fund is a partnership between CNS, the managing and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant, and the Amarillo Area Foundation.

The Pantex Community Investment team is comprised of about a dozen employees who have volunteered to serve two-year terms to represent their colleagues from Pantex. As a committee, they listen to all the proposals that are submitted and then make the final decisions regarding Pantex’s philanthropic gifts.

“I chose to join the Pantex Investment Committee because I desired to make an impact for our community by ensuring that our Pantex family invests in charities that will have the most impactful and long-lasting effect in our community,” said team member Brittany Dewey.

Amarillo Area Foundation CEO Clay Stribling said “We so appreciate our great partnership with CNS Pantex and their employees. They are fantastic community partners who truly believe in investing in the well-being of residents in our community. This program is an annual reminder of their generosity and commitment to our region.”

CNS first met with the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2014 to create an innovative and effective method for contributing to the community in a way that would also better engage Pantex employees. Continued conversations led to creation of the Pantex Community Investment Fund in 2015.

“Our goal by working with the Amarillo Area Foundation, is to give our employees a voice in determining where corporate dollars are invested in the community where they work, live, and volunteer,” said Jason Bohne, CNS Communications and Public Affairs director. “As a company, we are extremely pleased to partner with community organizations for the betterment of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle—where our employees work, live, and give.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle - $10,000 to support the Joseph's Project pregnancy center through the purchase of items such as formula and baby food.
• Amarillo Wesley Community Center - $10,000 to support Los Barrios de Amarillo hiring a Program Coordinator.
• Eastridge Mission Center - $10,000 for program and operating support for after school program.
• Downtown Women's Center - $10,000 to support the DWC's Recovery Program.
• Another Chance House -$10,000 to support program growth initiative.
• High Plains Helping Hand Inc. - $10,000 to support adult education/career program.
• Tralee Crisis Center for Women - $7,500 to support non-residential assistance project.
• Leaders Readers Network - $10,000 to support literacy fellowship program.
• High Plains Food Bank - $7,500 to support Kids Café.
• Texas Ramp Project - $10,000 to support Amarillo ramp projects.
• Maverick Boys and Girls Club of Amarillo - $10,000 to offer Snapology programming for after school participants.
• Family Support Services - $10,000 to provide advanced EMDR and CBT training to trauma counselors.
• Hope Lives Here - $10,000 to support Harley's Legacy program in providing therapy dogs for disabled veterans.
• Eveline's Sunshine Cottage - $10,000 to provide security upgrades for ESC.
• Texas 4-H - $5,000 to fund a robotics program in Carson County.
• Panhandle Orphan Care Network – 10,000 for Moses Closet stock up of items needed for emergency foster care placements.

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

AMARILLO, Texas - For more than 58 years, the Pantex Plant has manufactured high-explosive charges for every weapon in the nation’s nuclear stockpile. In all those years it had never pressed 1,000 parts in a single year, but Pantex exceeded that number in Fiscal Year 2023 to set a new record for the plant.

“During the Cold War era, the most parts pressed at Pantex was 152 in a month, and that was utilizing three presses,” said Lennon Mings, High Explosives (HE) pressing engineer. “Our team was able to accomplish this utilizing only one press.”

In 2016, Pantex took occupancy of the newly-built High Explosive Pressing Facility (HEPF), a building which allows HE inspection, machining, staging, and HE radiography to take place in a single modern facility. Not surprisingly, the HEPF took a few years to ensure all of the state-of-the-art equipment worked as designed for start-up and safe operations.

In late May, a second press was finally repaired, and the HEPF pressing team was able to utilize both presses for the first time in more than 6 months. Due to their improvements and efficiencies, the HEPF team were able to press more parts per day – another record set by the team.

The HEPF team’s successes are directly linked to their efforts in productivity, safety, and quality. Regular inspections of equipment and products ensure the state-of-the-art equipment is in safe working order.

“With the help of many organizations such as Maintenance and Facility Management, we’ve proven that the facility design and process drives efficiency, improves worker protection, and creates a quality product,” Jimmy Ramirez, HE Manufacturing pressing senior manager, said.

Now that the HEPF is fully operational and all presses are performing as designed, Pantex will be able to sustain the pressing production needs in order to provide HE parts with the appropriate lead time to support all Weapon Modernization Program production at Pantex and meet deliverables directly supporting global security for the nation.

“Meeting our FY 2023 deliverables to our Department of Defense customer in a safe and secure manner is of the highest priority and this achievement paves the way for us to meet these goals now and into the future,” said Jason Armstrong, Pantex NNSA Production Office Manager.

“HEPF has truly exceptional and dedicated people who take pride and ownership of the pressing operations,” Jimmy Ramirez said. “These changes and the dedicated team at the HEPF are what has allowed us to deliver as promised and will continue to set new record highs for pressing HE parts in the future.”

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

Every day, thousands of Pantex employees go about their work day. Not many pause to consider the people on call 24 hours a day to make humble, yet vital, facets of daily life like temperature control and operating toilets—not to mention, many more vital mission operations—properly function.

“The Boiler House … We take care of creature comforts, heating the buildings. But, we also work processes for the labs and the humidity controls,” explained Pantex employee Johnny H. “We take care of most everything in Infrastructure that has anything to do with a utility.”

As it turns out, that’s quite a lot. And, according to one of Heredia’s colleagues, Russell L., the less visible the Utilities team is to the average Pantexan, the better it means their team is performing.

“Your average person comes to Pantex,” he began, “and does not know anything about the utilities because they can drink the water, they can go to the restroom, they can be comfortable. If they can’t, they’re calling Infrastructure Utilities. So, no news is good news for us.”

While Utilities employees may prefer to perform their work behind the scenes, the service they provide is crucial. In a very literal sense, their work makes our deterrent mission possible by creating the environmental conditions necessary for proper operations.

Johnny said having knowledgeable people who work well together increase solutions to common challenges.

“Most of the challenges we face are natural occurrences. When it’s summertime and running 110 degrees and above, systems are struggling to maintain temperatures and flows for the H₂0 system,” he said. “But we adapt. The team that I have, we have tons of experience, and they really take care of us.”

Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary addresses the DP award recipients at this year's ceremony

Amarillo, Texas— Ten outstanding teams were recognized during award celebrations at the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Defense Programs (DP) Awards of Excellence. The winning teams met or exceeded criteria that directly contribute to the sites’ national security mission. More than 250 Consolidated Nuclear Security employees were involved in the projects that were recognized in the 2021 awards.

At a ceremony to recognize the 2021 winners, Pantex Site Manger Colby Yeary said, “We celebrate the hard work of the men and women who ensure America’s nuclear deterrent provides security to our nation and a warning to our adversaries. We continue to lead by example in our commitment to excellence, and the results we’re seeing in improved performance, deliverables, and innovation speak to the excitement I observe in my colleagues every day.”

At a similar ceremony in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Y-12 Site Manager Gene Sievers said, “Representatives from Defense Programs select Award of Excellence winners from a large number of applications across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. These folks know the positive impacts of your work, and the awards you’re receiving today are a clear recognition that you are making a difference for our nation.”

Awards recognize significant accomplishments
Teresa Robbins, NNSA Production Office manager, noted, “Recipients of this award have made notable and significant achievements in providing increased quality, productivity, cost savings, and innovations, that enhance the agility and reliability of our nuclear deterrent.

The Defense Programs Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments in support of NNSA's nuclear weapons program. An executive review panel meets annually to select the winners.

Marvin Adams, NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs told recipients, “I am simply amazed at the accomplishments our workforce and the wider enterprise makes each year. Our government leadership, American citizens, the warfighters we support, and our allies can rest confident because of your valuable contributions.”

At Pantex, the winning projects for 2021 were:

• completion of the B61-12 LEP First Production Unit ahead of schedule,
• implementation of Lightning Detection and Warning System Upgrades that will improve the ability to ensure the safety of production operations,
• Utilization of Interim Quality Release that saved 64 days of potential production delays, and
• culmination of a 10-year effort that produced the W88 ALT 370 First Production Unit ahead of schedule.

At Y-12, the winning projects for 2021 were:

• transferring technology for Demonstration of Alloy Recycling via Electron Beam Cold Hearth Melting,
• reestablishing a process for the Joint Qualification Efforts,
• Profilometer Project Completion that provides surface analysis of certain components,
• Stockpile Surveillance Capability Restoration that allowed a stockpile surveillance capability to return to full operation, and
• the Weldbox Restart Team, which contributed to a depleted uranium project that was used for the first time in 15 years.

A multi-site project for which both Y-12 and Pantex received 2021 awards was:

• Gas Mass Spectrometry Coordination that certified the machine to serve as a backup for Y-12 while a commonly used gas mass spectrometer was repaired.

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

Pantexan Kayla Mendez has been recognized by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce as a 2023 Top 20 Under 40 Award winner.

The award is given annually to area early career professionals who demonstrate professional excellence and bring value to the Amarillo business community.

An Amarillo native, Mendez has worked at Pantex since 2015. She has been part of teams that have earned Defense Programs Awards of Excellence in 2019 and 2020.

In addition to her efforts at Pantex, Mendez is very active in giving back to her community.

She participates in a wide range of Pantex volunteer efforts and serves as a board member for the Amarillo Independent School District.

“I’ve always liked to try and give back,” she said. “Learning the other side of how a district runs and how the legislative part of things runs – the background and budgets – are eye opening. I have a deep appreciation for teachers, and this gives me even more appreciation.”

To be eligible for the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Top 20 under 40 Award, the candidates must be employed in the area for at least three years and in the same field during that time, though not necessarily at the same businesses. Winners were selected by judges who reviewed nominations and picked the top 20 award winners as up‑and‑coming Amarillo professionals who are standouts in their professions.

“It’s humbling,” Mendez said of the award she has earned. “I love helping and love being around the kids and giving something back to the community. For my work, I want do a good job with the utmost quality and to the best of my ability and to be successful so that Pantex is successful. It’s humbling, and I’m honored to be recognized.”