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Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Steven Kemp 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 Construction Manager Steven Kemp started framing houses at 15, he knew he wanted to be involved in construction for the rest of his life…and he hasn’t done anything else since.

“You get to step back every day and see how you’ve progressed and you get to see what you are building and giving to the owner. Some jobs you have to wait until the end to see what you have done. I have always known this is what I was going to do, but I didn’t know it would take me as far as it has.”

Prior to joining Pantex in 2019, Kemp was a commercial construction superintendent who was a part of building schools, hospitals, and other industrial structures. Here, he is part of the line-item projects group and works primarily on the High Explosives Science and Engineering Facility. He oversees the contract scope, schedule, and budget, and ensures that the contractor delivers what is agreed upon and the owner gets what they paid for. Building relationships is key to a successful project.

“Someone told me early on to really work on relationships with other departments and to make contacts. On huge line-item projects, you need something every day. You may have to interrupt someone who doesn’t have time, and if you have a good relationship with them, they will probably make time.”

Those inter-departmental relationships not only help Steven with day-to-day issues but also keep work going at Pantex. Without that camaraderie, the work stops.

“We have some pretty tight requirements on-site and we continuously have to communicate with the project engineers and the architecture firm who designed the building. We will pull together the whole team and we will go through and figure out what we can do to move that task forward while the paperwork is being processed to save time. Because I have access to all these people, we can come to an agreement to get the job done quicker and safer.”

Everyone offers value to our tasks. Why must we be open to learning and hearing from others?
I don’t believe that there is any room on projects to be closed minded. There are people with a lot of experience and diversity in backgrounds. I have over 25 years of experience, and I’ve learned a lot from so many people out here.

What advice do you offer someone who has made a mistake in his or her job? How should they be accountable for that issue?
You’re not working if you’re not messing up. There is a reason that you learn more from valleys than hilltops. If you just started and everything came together, you wouldn’t learn much. You own that mistake, store it in your mind, and make sure it never happens again.

How has teamwork allowed you to grow as an employee?
I have received accolades during my time at Pantex, but none of them are possible without my construction management and project management team. I don’t think any of us can perform any of these tasks without each other. We all bring different strengths to the projects, and without each other we would not be successful. There are a lot of minds put together to work on these unique facilities.

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My dad has always been the person who inspired me most. He was everything you needed him to be when you needed it. I watched him get up every day and go to work. As kids we didn’t have a lot, but he worked all the time, with a daily job and then side jobs. He was always my biggest fan, too. Without question, he just always seemed to know what I needed.

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.

The Lesters: Clockwise from back left are Amy and Kurt Lester with their children Darby and Jake.

When Facility Representative Kurt Lester started at Pantex a little over five years ago, he was excited to be surrounded by people who have similar interests as him. In his words, “a bunch of nerds.” Then a couple of years later, Kurt started seeing more familiar—or rather familial—faces around the plant.

In 2022, his daughter, Darby, started as an intern, and was officially hired on in 2023 as a Mechanical Design Engineer after a year in the Career One engineering program. Then his son, Jake, started in 2022—first in Quality before moving to his current position in Safety Analysis Engineering in late 2024. Finally, his wife, Amy, left her 21-year career in elementary education to try her hand at something new at Pantex, and now works as an Issues Management Specialist for Production Operations.

Mom, daughter, and son all credit their dad with helping guide them to their positions. He searched and matched each member of his family with jobs he thought they would be good at. Over time, each family member got the call to join their new family—the Pantex family.

“I’ve known I wanted to be an engineer since I was twelve,” Darby said, “so I figured Pantex was the most logical place to work. Now, it’s weird waking up and getting ready at my house with my parents, then going to work with my parents, then eating dinner with my parents. It’s a lot sometimes, but it’s a blessing.”

Both siblings, who started within a few months of each other, will be getting married within a month of each other in 2025. They work two cubicles apart from each other and feel very proud for each other that they have secured great jobs so early in their careers.

“We work at one of the premiere places in the panhandle, and the fact that all four of us get to work out here? It’s amazing. We are very lucky,” Jake added. “We get to save some money, too, because we drive to work together sometimes.”

With the whole family at Pantex, “Lester Lunches” and group chats named “The Funky Bunch” soon commenced. They really love to “pop in” on each other when they can and love that they can share the common language that comes with working at such a unique place all together. When friends see one of the Lesters out and about, they will ask where the rest of the family is.

“When other people see my kids, they always tell me what great ‘young adults’ they are, and I am a very proud mom,” Amy said. “Of course, when they hear I’m married to Kurt, they always joke—but then tell me what a good man he is and that he is great at what he does.”

A very important member of the Lester family whose presence is felt at the Pantex Plant is Kurt’s late father, Tom. People find out that a member of the family has a connection to Granddad Tom and the stories start to flow.

“It is a really special feeling to know that we are continuing the legacy of my granddad,” Jake said. “There is a lot of pride in knowing now that three generation of Lesters have served the country and the world through the mission of Pantex. We lost him at such a young age and don’t have a lot of memories of him…so when people come up and tell a story about him, I am happy that he did such a good job and that people knew him. I think he would be proud of Darby and I for making it out here.”

When considering the fact that they all work together, Kurt is glad his family is able to carry on a tradition his dad started.

“I think people within the Pantex community enjoy seeing families or familial relationships at Pantex since Pantex is a tight knit community by default of what we do out here. As parents, there is a joy knowing that your children are in successful careers and in an industry where there is a lot of growth for them to achieve. I am thankful for that.”

Vicky Bails and her mom, Alma, have both used their talents to make Pantex great.

It’s important to see people who look like us and who we can identify with both to mentor and to help us grow in the workplace. Compliance, Assessments, and Analysis Lead Assessor Vicky Bails took that quite literally, as her mentor and hero at Pantex was her mom, Alma Bliss.

Bliss worked at Pantex from the late 1970s until she retired in 1994. She spent most of her career in Purchasing, which is now named Procurement. She told Bails stories of old, like rattlesnakes in Building 16-12 and the van pool she took from their home near Lake Tanglewood to Pantex, which was exactly 29.5 miles from her front door to the parking lot. When reflecting on her mom’s retirement, Bails recalls how sad she was to be leaving.

“It was really hard for her to leave and walk away from her team and the work that they did. She always told me it was a family out here, and I got to see that. I got to go on site many times to eat lunch with my mom. I got to go to her department Christmas parties. They really lived like a family. I was part of the Pantex family before I could even remember.”

As Bails prepared to start a family of her own, her mother encouraged her to apply at Pantex. She knew it was a good way to provide for a family and knew Pantex treated families well. Not long after starting her position in Information Technology in 1992, Bails met her husband Tony, who worked in her brother’s department. Two of Bails’ brothers have also worked at Pantex.

“It has been continual blessings. I got a bachelor’s degree for less than $500 because of the educational assistance. Additionally, we had a really sick child when he was first born, and our supervisors were very kind and understanding through the whole process.”

Though mom and daughter were in different organizations for the two-and-a-half years they worked together, there were lessons learned that translated across departments.

“My mom told me to let my work prove my worth. Because my dad died and left her with four children, she had to work. She had to be a very hard and dedicated person. I think I took after her in that respect.”

Since Bails has worked at Pantex, she has worked in Information Technology, Operations, Safeguards and Security, Engineering, and now Quality. No matter where she works, people love to tell stories of her late mother.

“She made people toe the line, and if they didn’t, she would let them know. I’ve heard countless stories about people who still revere her. Even when she was not the one in charge of the department, people say she ran that place.”

As an organization filled with people who take great pride in our history, it is easy to forget that generations of Pantexans have come through the gates. Though there are many lineages that span three generations of men at Pantex, there are far fewer women whose mothers or grandmothers worked at Pantex despite the majority of the workforce being women at Pantex during World War II. Generations of women being raised by Pantexans now are the future. As of today, Pantex is the proud employer of more than 1,000 women who play a critical role to further the success of the Pantex mission.

PXD employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

PXD maintains a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. PXD does not tolerate discriminatory conduct that interferes with an individual’s work performance, creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, or affects tangible benefits and/or conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs, return from layoff, rehires, compensation, benefits, training, educational assistance, social and recreational activities.

PXD will consider reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability and disabled veterans (as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, and the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002) who apply to or employed by PXD.

Employees and applicants are protected from discrimination, coercion, threats, intimidation, harassment, interference, reprisal, or retaliation for filing a complaint, assisting in an investigation, compliance evaluation, or hearing pursuant to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, and the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended; Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act; Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and the Equal Pay Act.

At PXD, we treat each other with dignity and respect, while embracing diversity, integrity, open dialogue, and teamwork. An inclusive workforce that engages the unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives of all employees yields innovative solutions, robust decision-making, and the greatest value for our customers. If you need additional or how to report a concern, issues, I encourage you to contact Talent Management team.

Kelly Beierschmitt
Ph.D. President and General Manager

Take 5 minutes to learn about Macey Ray, Weapon Material Program materials engineer. This article details her role at Pantex and reinforces the diverse workplace culture Pantex offers. All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pantex or PanTeXas Deterrence.

With close to 4,700 Pantexans employed, it may be easy to think of yourself as just a number in a sea of people; however, it takes every one of us to make the mission successful. Weapon Material Program (WMP) Materials Engineer Macey Ray contributes her success to being open-minded.

“I value hearing the thoughts of others because they bring their own experiences, opinions, and perspectives. Without any other input, there is a risk of putting yourself in an echo chamber, which limits your ability to find the best solution,” Ray said. “If I am the smartest person in the room, I am in the wrong room.”

As a material engineer in the Adhesives and Films, Sylgard, and Paints and Coatings Materials groups, Ray certifies and delivers quality production materials.

“Material engineers own the entire life cycle of materials used across the plant and are involved with various working groups and programs to assure their needs are met,” she said.

When Ray began her career at Pantex more than a year ago, she was surprised to see how different Pantex is compared to other organizations.

“I was surprised to find that coming to Pantex is comparable to entering a time machine. It is interesting to see the pros and cons of crucial work being completed using technology and equipment years behind its time,” she said. “It is a testament to the direct and reliable means of performing work, while simultaneously inspiring opportunities for improvement sitewide.”

Ray shared the phrase her organization commonly uses: “We are smarter as a collective.” She emphasized this when detailing the pride Pantexans take in their work and their representation of something larger than self.

What daily task (specific meeting, report, etc.) lets you know you’re helping achieve the mission we have at Pantex? How/why does that task let you know you’re working toward the mission?
WMP's main endeavor is continuous improvement. This is illustrated by improving processes and methods in supplying quality, certified material to the line. Some of the daily tasks that embody this endeavor are material/drawing reviews, which guarantee a material is meeting specific requirements and are being used properly, as well as equipment implementation in our laboratory and blending and packaging facility to ameliorate material production and testing.

What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?
My favorite aspect of my work environment is WMP's ability to collaborate with multiple organizations across the site. Getting to work with people in every department shows Pantex's dedication to the mission and how every person and job are necessary to support production.

What top strength do you bring to your organization and why?
I bring optimism to my organization—a cheerful attitude, which encourages open-mindedness within the team when faced with tasks. My positive perspective allows me to enjoy every day and take pride in the work that I accomplish for the Weapon Material Program.

What’s your top bucket list item and why?
My top bucket list item is to compete on Survivor. I have always been a fan of the show. I enjoy seeing the differences in competitors as they compete in physical, intellectual, and socially strategic challenges. Survivor is a game of balance—showing your strengths without becoming too much of a threat and balancing the needs of the group against the needs of the individual. I would love to adapt to this social experiment and see if I could become the sole survivor.  

CANYON, TX– Pantex has sprouted roots in Canyon, Texas, with the launch of the Palo Duro Research Facility. The research facility is located on the campus of West Texas A&M University, approximately 50 miles southwest of the Pantex Plant.

“We have had a really good relationship with WT,” said Darnell Austin, conduct of operations specialist. “This is something we’re really excited about and it fits what we’re trying to do.”

This is the first research lab Pantex has on a university campus.

“As a proud member of The Texas A&M University System, \WT is pleased to be associated with the System’s leadership partner role at Pantex and Los Alamos National Laboratory bringing integration between Nuclear Security Enterprise design agencies and production sites,” said Walter V. Wendler, president of West Texas A&M University. “Having Pantex on the campus is another way WT is serving locally first, paying attention to our region, and investing in people, programs, and places as THE Panhandle’s University.”

Pantex is dedicated to forming and maintaining strategic partnerships, and this facility emphasizes the importance of the continued collaboration with the Texas A&M University System.

“Pantex has long been proud to be a cornerstone of the Texas Panhandle community, just like West Texas A&M University,” PanTeXas Deterrence President and General Manager Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt said. “This partnership represents not just a physical space, but a commitment to the future—one that fosters innovation and collaboration.”

Once operated as a hospital, the building now belongs to WT with Pantex leasing the space. After renovations, the research facility houses approximately 15 members of Pantex’s research-and-development group, with more than 7,500 square-feet dedicated to research and lab areas plus office space.

“The Palo Duro Research Center is more than just a physical structure—it is an environment where engineers and scientists will tackle the challenges of tomorrow while partnering with future leaders,” Tyfani Lanier, Pantex engineering director and chief engineer said. “We are investing in talent, building a pipeline of skilled workers who will contribute to the growth and security of our country.”

The facility welcomed occupants in March 2025. Dozens of people contributed to this project, which has been underway for approximately 3 years now.

“I have to give credit to everyone for the work they did,” said Ben Stallwitz, technology development director for Pantex Engineering. “I think you could point to a lot of people in a lot of organizations at Pantex and WT who worked hard to get this project across the finish line.”

Several years of research and working through requirement processes has led to this cost-effective solution.

“This space provides us a great opportunity to continue to grow our partnerships and leverage the collective intellectual horsepower of our researchers,” Stallwitz said. “This setup is more aligned to our exploratory research portfolio and our growing body of material science, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.”

It is also a convenient place for WT students in applicable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to have access to internship learning.

"The new Pantex Lab on the WT campus is more than just a facility—it is a bridge between education and industry, research and real-world application. This collaboration will provide students with hands-on experience, create workforce opportunities, and foster groundbreaking collaborations between WT and Pantex researchers,” said Dr. Angela Spaulding, vice president of Research and Compliance and dean of the Graduate School. “The innovations developed here will drive economic growth and strengthen national security. Pantex has been a longstanding partner with WT, and we are excited to see this collaboration enter a new phase. We proudly welcome Pantex to the WT campus."

Pantex’s commitment to the Texas Panhandle mirrors WTs dedication to serving the region. Together, Pantex and WT are shaping a stronger, more dynamic future for the entire Panhandle.

“The addition of the Palo Duro Research Facility on WT’s campus furthers our commitment to being a regional research university,” Wendler said. “Having Pantex on campus provides an opportunity for our students that no other university has—we are proud to educate and train the future workforce that will contribute to the Pantex mission.”

###

PanTeXas Deterrence, LLC (PXD) is the management and operating contractor for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Pantex Plant located in Carson County near Amarillo, Texas. Pantex maintains the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. PXD is a joint venture led by a BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) subsidiary – it also includes Fluor; SOC, A Day & Zimmermann Company; and The Texas A&M University System.

CONTACT
Dr. Amberly Winningham
Communications
(806) 340.2624
amberly.winningham@pantex.doe.gov

Abbey Miller and Joy Taylor reunited for a photoshoot in the uncleared room where they first met.

Joy—It’s a name, but it’s also the emotion Abbey Miller felt when she entered the uncleared room at the John C. Drummond Center on her first day of work after New Employee Orientation. A friendly face welcomed her to an unfamiliar workplace as she began her exciting career at Pantex in Project Management.

Abbey was assigned to sit behind Joy Taylor and knew instantly they would be friends.

“Everyone needs a Joy in their life,” Abbey said. “When we met on the first day, she walked me through everything. She took me under her wing and made me feel comfortable.”

In Room 106, Row 4, Abbey sat across from Joy, a safety analyst in the Nuclear and Explosive Surety Department. The two formed a fast friendship.

“She was assigned to sit right behind me. She was so bubbly and fun, and I knew we’d hit it off well,” Joy said. “Abbey is hilarious. She kept us laughing with her stories.”

What is it about a room filled with up to 79 strangers from different backgrounds, education, experience, and interests that brings people together? Joy says it is all about leaning on each other.

“We’re all experiencing big life changes and learning new things at the same time,” Joy said. “Having the support from the people around you while navigating through new tasks makes a huge difference. The friendships I’ve made from being in the uncleared room are friendships that I can see lasting a lifetime.”

There’s no set time for how long it takes an employee to be granted a clearance so they can move to their permanent workspace. People can spend months to over a year in the uncleared room. During that time, networking helps build professional relationships and diversify personal knowledge of the plant. Joy and Abbey work in different areas, but owe their friendship to those professional conversations and work performed in the uncleared room together.

“It was nice to walk in to work and have welcoming faces smiling and letting you know the transition and all of the changes are going to be okay,” Abbey said. “We both support the mission in different ways and now we make an effort to see each other outside of work.”

Eventually both Abbey and Joy gained their clearances and moved out of the uncleared room.

“I was sad when I left because I was leaving the people that I was closest to,” Joy said. “Sad and happy at the same time. I was excited for the work I was going to get to do after gaining my clearance, having more responsibility and the opportunity to get to know my team better. But I knew I’d miss my friends from the uncleared room.”

The old adage, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know” perfectly describes the significant impact connecting with coworkers in the uncleared room has by enhancing employees’ base knowledge and building professional – and personal – relationships in new areas.

“You find that person to answer your questions, calm your nerves, eat lunch with, be an outlet,” Abbey said. “We don’t work together anymore, but I’m so thankful to have met her.”

Information Release Office Lead Anne Marie Wilkerson is a self-described “reformed competitive horse-showgirl.” While horses may have been her obsession early on, it is the Australian shepherd dogs that she grew up with as a child on the farm that play such a big part of her life today.

“We've had this family of dogs since I was an infant, and I decided in 2012 that I wanted this puppy my parents raised named Lightning,” she said. “Australian shepherds are highly productive, versatile dogs that are driven to please their owners and are very task oriented. And like me, they crave a lot of structure, which is probably why I enjoy the breed like I do.”

Structure is cornerstone to Wilkerson’s position at Pantex, where she and her team ensure documents are examined thoroughly to prevent the release of sensitive information. Wilkerson’s experience at fact gathering and naturally inquisitive mind have come in handy as she thoroughly researches the bloodlines of her dogs. Lightning’s lineage can be traced back to the original Australian shepherds on both his mother’s and father’s sides. In order to save the bloodline of the dogs her family had for generations, Wilkerson established a kennel, Code Red, with the Australian Shepherd Club of America. Her goal is to breed the dogs to be structurally correct to meet breed standards, while preserving their brain power.

“Australian shepherds are smart. They can learn up to 3,000 words and are very instinctive animals,” she noted. “They’re able to perform almost any task that you want them to, whether it be working your cattle, bringing your chickens up, or asking them to perform in shows for fun. These dogs can achieve all the tasks you give them.”

Wilkerson’s competitive nature eventually led her to showing the dogs from her kennel, Code Red. She craves competition and strives for excellence with each run she does with her dogs. Though she grew up showing horses, she finds that dogs are much easier to haul around. And she has developed close friendships with many of the people she has met at competitions around the country.

“I crave the competition and I love the people who go to the shows,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of good-hearted people who share my love of dogs and love showing them as much as I do. It’s a great community of which to be a part because they all want to see you succeed.”

Though fun is the primary goal of competing for Wilkerson, winning titles for her dogs is a close second. The more titles behind each dog’s name, the more the dog has proven what it can do. Lightning, who passed away in 2022, has a legacy of winning that is continuing through his daughter, Ritzy (or her official registered name: Code Red’s Initial Public Offering).

Wilkerson and her husband have a daughter, named Claire, who is growing up with Ritzy’s puppies that arrived not long after she did. Wilkerson plans to teach Claire to compete as a junior handler with these dogs in both the Australian Shepherd Club of America’s Agility and Stock Championship Program.

“Staying close to this line of dogs is very much a family task for me since I’ve had them all my life,” she said. “I don't have a particular puppy picked out for Claire, but she will be raised with this herd of dogs, and it's interesting to see how they interact with her.”

"It is a constant puzzle as to how I communicate with my dogs. It is all about managing personalities —whether it be verbally or with my body language. In order to be an effective leader and trainer, I have to be flexible in my approach and tailor my approach to the individual dog.”

While it requires a considerable amount of time and effort to raise, care for, and train them, the joy Wilkerson—and now her young daughter—get from her Australian shepherds makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s a second job. It is a lot of hard work, and a lot people can't or won’t do it,” she said. “But I'm passionate about saving the breed, about saving and maintaining the Australian shepherd. So it’s well worth it to me.”

To find out more about Wilkerson and her dogs, watch this video.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Hayden Erwin 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.

For most people a first job involves fast food, a supermarket, or retail.

Hayden Erwin’s involved firearms.

Instead of asking, ‘would you like fries with that?’ or marking down produce to half price for the manager’s special, Erwin worked in the family business founded by his grandfather in 1982.

The namesake shop, Erwin Pawn, primarily sold firearms to numerous law enforcement departments and gun enthusiasts — including many Pantexans. As Erwin grew, so did his interest in weapons. He began doing gun repairs and machining in 2012. The skills he learned in that first job transferred directly to knowledge needed in his current position at Pantex.

“I had never intended on leaving the family business,” Erwin said. “An opportunity arose to support our country and its national security. I started here at Pantex in late 2018 doing a job that I love to do.”

Erwin has worked the last six years as a Protective Force armorer. He maintains, repairs, and ensures the operability of all firearms within the Protective Force. Accountability for firearms, ammunition, and pyrotechnics for security also fall under his scope. Safety and accountably play a major role in their daily job duties.

“I work with a great group of people within Safeguards and Security,” Erwin said. “The energy is always positive and everyone strives to work hard. We motivate one another to ensure that we meet our deadlines, stay productive, and enjoy the workplace all at the same time.”

Erwin is proudest of the quality work that his team does while refinishing fielded guns with new coating, repairing and testing broken firearms, and performing general munition maintenance.

“I absolutely love my job and what we do here in the armory,” he said. “I’m proud knowing that I can put out quality work ensuring firearm operability to support the mission.”

What has surprised you the most since joining Pantex?
The operational side of each department and the sheer size of the plant. It’s great to see everyone working together as a team, and helping one another when needed.

What stands out to you about Pantex?
Pantex isn’t just a place or a job. It’s a historical landmark with a fascinating history. Every Pantexan, past and present, has been a part of the mission and we are all key in ensuring that Pantex operates in an optimal manner that will continue to secure America for decades to come.

What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Always show up to work with a positive mindset. Set goals and challenge yourself to be the best that you can be. We are all here to support the Pantex mission and to provide for our families.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
I love working outside and spending time with family. I do a lot of gardening and if I ever feel like I might have some free time, I’ll start another project or five.

Everyone offers value to our tasks. Why must we be open to learning and hearing from others?
Everyone has their strong suit. It could be from past experience or newly introduced ideas. We are bound to be successful if everyone can collaborate and work together.

Why must we understand the requirements, procedures, etc. tied to our jobs?
Each and every job on plant site plays an important role. If we follow the procedures set in place for our job, we ensure our safety and mission success.