News

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.”

For nearly 40 years, Pantex employee Wade B. has been among those forming the protective line that protects the plant 24 hours per day, and he has not lost focus on the importance of what he does each day.

Wade grew up on a farm near Stratford, Texas, and when he was considering his career path as a younger man, a family member suggested Pantex as an option. His job duties vary widely, but they all come down to protecting the plant and everything within it. The highly trained force is dedicated to providing the highest level of protection possible.

Most of them are members of the Pantex Guards Union, which was established July 2, 1953, and thus is celebrating its seventieth anniversary. The PGU acts as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all safeguards and security division protective force personnel below the rank of lieutenant employed at Pantex. It represents all its members in negotiations, agreements, and grievances, and it protects and promotes the interests of its members.

“Although I wasn’t here 70 years ago, I felt a leading to continue the legacy prior union representatives had started,” Wade said. “I have always had an opinion on most issues but never believed in complaining in the background. I have always been willing to support, defend, and promote my opinion and therefore believe you shouldn’t just complain about issues but bring forward solutions.”

In pursuit of that belief, Wade has served the union in a variety of roles, up to and including business agent and as a lead negotiator for three collective bargaining agreement negotiations. He is currently a steward, senior trustee, and negotiating committee member.

What daily task (specific meeting, report, etc.) lets you know you’re helping achieve the CNS mission? How/why does that task let you know you’re working toward the mission?
Every day I work security, and knowing that unauthorized personnel and controlled articles have not entered the plant and therefore plant operations can proceed safely and securely lets me know I’m helping the mission. And I know any emergency is responded to quickly and adjudicated properly.

How does patriotism factor into your life? Did your level of patriotism change after working at Pantex?
I have always been patriotic, even at a young age. I believe in the success of our great nation and want to protect our constitution and God-given liberty. After working here and realizing the strategic importance and one-of-a-kind mission we have, my patriotism even expanded and my yearning to protect our country became increasingly important.

As an employee, what do you want to be remembered for?
Serving and educating others to help them succeed.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains, because whether or not I punch my tag, I get my batteries recharged (mind decompressed and refocused – putting life in proper perspective) just being in the splendor and beauty of God’s creation.

Take five minutes to learn about Production Planning & Controls’ Ed D. “I Am Mission Success” profiles share how each employee feels tied to the Pantex and/or Y-12 mission. All views and opinions are the employees’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

People are the heart of CNS: Everything that happens at Pantex rests with the mindset, attitudes, and actions of the people who work here. Those committed to personal and professional excellence not only succeed in their own careers—they encourage and inspire others to do so as well.

Longtime Pantexan Ed D. is such a person.

Ed connects problems with solutions in his characteristic calm joviality. He enjoys turning daunting challenges into mutually beneficial resolutions.

“Problem solving, along with a unique ability to work together with dignity and respect are my strengths,” he said. “They are extremely important to me. I strive to bring professionalism, patience, and good communication skills to work every day.”

Ed described finding great fulfillment in making the connections that alleviate potential conflict between individuals or teams.

“Interfacing with many departments and assisting with resolving issues on a daily basis is an accomplishing feeling and provides [me] a duty-oriented satisfaction,” he said.

Nowhere is this trait more on display than during a daily problem-solving, escalation and tracking meeting Ed facilitates. Team after team reports their successes and challenges to their Pantex colleagues. Ed manages the issues, demonstrating a keen instinct for when to remain in the background and let individuals talk through their projects’ needs and when someone might need a gentle word of appreciation.

“Facilitating the [meeting] allows me the opportunity to address, help solve and mitigate challenges on a daily basis,” he said.

Day after day, Ed addresses those challenges head-on and, day after day, he rewards his colleagues’ diligence with the same words of encouragement: “Thank you so much for the privilege of your time, and have a blessed day.”

What advice or encouragement would you give a new employee or someone considering applying for a career here?
“Pantex provides unlimited paths to learn and grow life’s strategies for success.”

In what way are you mission success?
“I strive to be vigilant, cognizant, and responsive to the expectations of the company.”

What would your coworkers be most surprised to learn about you?
“Most coworkers don’t know that I am the organist at the church I attend every Sunday.”

What’s your top bucket list item, and why?
“My bucket list item is to go on a cruise next year.”

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity, and why?
“My favorite outside activities include working with my church and spending time with my siblings, children, and grandchildren.”

Pantex’s Tek F. is seen working on the SLM 280 Metal 3D printer

In the past few years, additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3-dimensional printing, has shown record growth with more than $18 billion in U.S. sales last year, according to Fortune Business Insights. Major industries, including automotive, construction, health, along with sites within the federal government, are incorporating 3D applications.

AM is unique in the fact it creates a part by adding material onto a surface instead of the more conventional method of subtractive manufacturing, where the process begins with a larger piece of material and the “subtracts” what is not needed to complete the final part.

There are a wide variety of methods and materials on the open market available for 3D printing. The most common process is fused deposition modeling, which heats a single plastic filament and builds the final item up a layer at a time. Digital light processing uses liquid resin that cures using ultraviolet light. Other printing methods include selective laser sintering, which melts a layer of powdered material with a high-powered laser; selective laser melting, which is specifically for metal printing capabilities; and poly jet printing for polymers only. CNS is currently working with vendors to add different on-site printing methods, since off-the-shelf printers do not meet its stringent requirements.

“Additive manufacturing impacts mission success by being able to create parts that would be very difficult to machine with an accelerated timeline,” said Pantex Engineer Wright S.. “For mission deliverables we have the capability to design and produce parts with greater flexibility than traditional manufacturing.”

At Pantex, 3D printing is primarily used to deliver mission-critical parts for the firing site, internally within the high explosives manufacturing group, as well as completing special requests site-wide. But there is a learning curve.

“Most of this difficulty can be attributed to how new to industrial use additive manufacturing is, especially when compared to subtractive manufacturing. Our second hurdle is encouraging a growth mindset. More groups are starting to add small scale 3D printers into their work areas for sample printing. After that, it will be encouraging the workforce to adapt to and utilize 3D printing wherever possible in our mission-critical production environment,” said Wright.

Maybe it’s her infectious laugh, her kind and helping spirit, or her dedication to producing quality work for more than a decade, but Pantexan Chantal J. is a popular face inside and outside the office.

Chantal is one of the hard-working engineers at the plant who, for more than a decade, has worked to make sure the mission moves smoothly and safely. She got her foot in the door while in college and seeking an internship to gain experience.

“I found out about Pantex through a friend and applied for a co-op position,” she said. “During the co-op, I found that I loved Amarillo and loved working for Pantex and wanted to stay.”

That was in 2011, and shortly after that she was hired as an engineer. Nearly a decade later, she says she loves the challenge of her work.

Her work has been recognized with various excellence awards over the years.

If she’s not at work, one of the most common places to find Chantal is at her many volunteering pursuits.

She has supported the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering since 2011 and is currently the co-coordinator of the local chapter. The group works to support students in underrepresented groups and inspire them to explore engineering. Each year, the chapter hosts egg drop, catapult, and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) competitions and participates in community activities like the EPIC Success career fair and Pantex’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering.

She also serves as vice president and coordinates events for her sorority and volunteers at the High Plains Food Bank and with the Northside Toy Drive.

Are you doing what you envisioned as a young adult? If so, describe how you got here.

I always envisioned myself doing something related to architecture or STEM but never envisioned myself working at a one-of-a-kind government facility like Pantex. I also never envisioned myself getting a master’s of fire protection engineering before working at Pantex.

Pantex opened doors by helping me jump-start my career in architectural engineering and helped me further my education with their reimbursement program. I’ve been able to utilize everything I’ve learned from Day 1 and strengthen my skills in design.

Never would I have imaged that I would be doing the work that I’m doing now, while working with such great people.

What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?

My favorite aspect about my work environment is being able to meet and work with new people and learn about the different groups on-site. Working with different groups helps me realize that we all play a big role in helping with the mission, no matter the size of the project.

What CNS principle drives you to be successful?

I believe “Safety, Security, Zero Defects” and “Deliver as Promised” all play a part in design.

What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?

My coworkers sometimes get surprised when they find out I have a first degree black belt in tae kwon do and a yellow belt in jujitsu.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?

One of my favorite outside-of-work activities is hanging out with my pup. She’s always by my side and always keeping me going.

Construction continues day and night on the High Explosives Science and Engineering (HESE) facility.

Under a beautiful West Texas starry sky, crews recently placed the first of three 2-foot-thick concrete mat slabs at the High Explosives Science and Engineering (HESE) project’s HE Lab Building. The milestone required 10 concrete trucks to make more than 86 trips to the site.

“In my 16 years at the plant, I have never placed this much concrete,” Project Manager Chris Howard said about the 869 cubic yards of concrete.

The effort was originally planned for a May evening to take advantage of cooler night weather but was delayed three weeks due to historic Texas Panhandle rainfall. When the weather dried up, the steadfast construction support cast of Security, Safety, Construction Management, Quality, and Engineering pulled an all-nighter with design engineering firm Burns & McDonnell and subcontractor Hensel Phelps.

S. Kemp, subcontract technical representative, said great attitudes and participative decision-making made this placement a success, and he’s excited for the future.

“We continue to gain momentum and mesh together as a unit,” he said.

The team compiled lessons learned to apply to future concrete placements, as the project is expected to use more than 11,751 cubic yards of concrete.

When complete, the HESE will replace 15 obsolete facilities at Pantex, the average age of which is 68 years old. It will support the Pantex HE Center of Excellence for Manufacturing mission for NNSA by providing laboratory space, classified and unclassified office and meeting areas, and a shower and change-out area for HE Operations personnel all in closer proximity to HE manufacturing operations.

The project is expected to use more than 11,751 cubic yards of concrete

The milestone required 10 concrete trucks to make more than 86 trips to the site