Pantex Proud: Kenton Falerios
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Kenton Falerios 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.
More doesn’t always mean better... unless you’re talking about dogs. Kenton Falerios would know — he has nine.
“Dogs are God’s gift to mankind; angels without wings,” Falerios said. “I really love them. I’d have more, but my wife drew the line at nine!”
Falerios works in Emergency Management as the lead emergency exercise planner, and just like how a guard dog is always prepared when needed, he develops response procedures so Pantexans are always poised and ready for potential emergencies.
Molly, Emma, Pinta, Mya, Remi, Rosebud, Elsa, Jasmine, and Max help make up the Falerios pup pack. Each has a role — princess, cuddler, protector, and instigator. At Pantex, each of us has a role in emergency response... albeit with more work-appropriate positions. Falerios conducts site-wide and functional exercises in addition to overseeing the controller/evaluator training and building warden program. He says he couldn’t do it all without the support of others, which is why he leans on his work pack.
“After spending 22 years in the U.S. Army, I learned that one person cannot do it all,” Falerios said. “To be able to achieve our goal and accomplish our mission, teamwork is a must. All the site managers and directors have all been very supportive when I approach them regarding using their facilities for exercises. They understand the importance of exercises, and it sure makes my job easier.”
And just like each pup has their own personality and features, Falerios uses his personal touch to make a distinct difference in emergency planning.
“Every organization has plans, procedures, and checklists, but it’s that personal experience, that finesse, or personal touch that makes a difference,” Falerios said. “If folks have pride in what they do, then they’ll show it through the products they deliver, which makes the organization better overall.”
How do you and your team contribute to mission success?
Emergency Management is one of those departments I like to call the “silent professionals.” We develop the emergency response procedures and training that you hope will never be used, but when they are needed, you’re glad you have them.
What has been your proudest moment at Pantex to date?
When Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Vice Chair Thomas Summers, stated that the Lone Wolf-25 Exercise was robust, creative, and one of the best exercises that he had seen and that the Pantex Emergency Management Department is the model of Emergency response in the DOE complex.
Why is it important we hold ourselves accountable in our daily tasks?
Never accept the easy wrong over the hard right. For what we do out here, why would you not want to produce the best product you can? Our country depends on us to produce the best product regardless of our political leanings or personal beliefs.
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My parents. They taught me if you have time today then get it done, because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I kept that same philosophy with me in the Army and afterward.