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Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Courtney Daniel 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.

Imagine being stranded on a deserted island. What three items would you bring? For Courtney Daniel, a Health Physicist and Dosimetry Technical Lead, it’s a water purifier straw, a machete, and her husband.

“My man is so smart he’d figure out a way to build a raft out of seashells and palm trees, or something crazy, and we’d just sail out of there,” she said.

This lighthearted response to the popular “deserted island” game reveals a deeper truth about Daniel’s life philosophy: Good company makes all the difference.

“No one is an island. Being part of a team makes all things doable and sharing the burden, the stress, and the work together makes the achievement that much sweeter.”

Mutually beneficial collaboration, like Daniel describes, is exactly how the Radiation Safety team operates at Pantex. Daniel and other members of the group recently launched the Dose Records Information System (DRIS), a huge step forward in speeding up the availability of radiation dose reports. DRIS allows for immediate access to radiation dose history for everyone at Pantex.

“This was a huge accomplishment for us and our IT partners. The release of DRIS made getting personal dose information so much easier and faster for the entire site.”

On top of that achievement, Daniel and the rest of the Dosimetry and Radiological Measurements Group is prepping for another big project — bringing dosimeter processing back to Pantex. Daniel is proud of this achievement and is excited for the process to return.

“We currently have all the readers and nitrogen generators in place and we plan to start conducting all the required studies very soon,” Daniel said. “Bringing dosimeter processing back to Pantex will allow us to get results out so much faster at the end of each quarter. We are all working so hard to get everything accomplished and ready by our next Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation assessment.”

What do you enjoy most about working at Pantex?
The group of people I work with. They are all amazingly intelligent, kind, good-hearted people. They are always willing to lift you up when you are having a rough day and are always ready to celebrate with you on the great ones.

What do you think makes Pantex so special?
Our mission is one of a kind and I think that in and of itself is pretty special. It’s also vastly understated that people outside our area have no idea what we do or that we even exist. But without us, our nation’s defense strategy would look very different.

Why is being open to learn from others critical for mission success?
No one knows everything, and being open to hear other people’s ideas can save you a lot of headaches. We attend quarterly meetings with all the DOE sites for both internal and external dosimetry. These meetings offer us a sounding board for issues or to ask questions. Also, we hear from the other sites about what is working well and what isn’t. They often present ideas or scenarios that we have never seen so when something arises at our own site, we know who we can go to for help.

Why is it important we hold ourselves accountable in our daily tasks?
What we contribute is up to us, and our work is a reflection of ourselves. Why would you want to present anything less than your best?

What advice would you give to a new employee?
Learn everything you can about as much as you can. Pantex is so diverse that there is no way you could ever know everything. It’s important to keep learning.

Why is mentoring vital to personal success?
The best way to gain a deeper knowledge about Pantex and what we do is through a mentor. Learning from someone who has been around longer and who has the ability to offer insight or direction into some lessons learned can help you avoid making the same mistakes and put you on a better path to achieve your goal.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
My husband and I really enjoy traveling. There’s so much this world has to offer and we want to go everywhere and see everything. We’re always looking for somewhere amazing to go and we are really trying to instill that wanderlust into our children.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Caitlin Duke 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.

For Caitlin Duke, it all started with MySpace. Although her fascination with computers and technology started at an earlier age, her initial introduction into the world of information technology began when she coded her peers’ layouts on the online millennial mecca. She built onto those basic coding skills through her job at a large electronics retail store, developing into more areas of IT and finding an interest in troubleshooting.

“After moving from that first job, I tried a few other things,” Duke said. “Nothing seemed to satisfy my brain like IT does, and so I made the switch back to IT and have stuck with it since.”

Duke has been at Pantex for two years as a field support technician under Information Technology Service Management. She supports all IT issues at the Pantex Amarillo Campus (PAC), a service that also stands as her proudest accomplishment.

“We established and initiated full-time IT support at the PAC,” she said. “We proactively addressed any potential issues and ensured IT infrastructure was deployed and operating before launch day. I'm genuinely proud to say that the opening of the PAC has been a resounding success. I am glad I was chosen to be a part of making it happen.”

In her role, Duke meets a lot of people. While she loves what she does and is proud to serve the mission, there’s one thing she loves even more.

“My coworkers,” she said. “The people are what make Pantex special. I have worked in many environments, with various companies and roles. I can honestly say that Pantex is a cut above the rest. Anyone who gets a chance to be out here is lucky to be a part of this group of people and the mission we support.”

As a longtime Texas Panhandle resident, Duke understands the importance of Pantex to the nation, region, and community. She’s proud to serve her fellow Pantexans, and she exemplifies that pride through her daily work.

“Having pride in my role is important to me because I know how my work affects those around me,” Duke said. “Those in need of IT support rely on me to be efficient in my job so they can get back to doing theirs. I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. It is not uncommon that people are hesitant to ask for IT-related help. I strive to change that and make their experience positive.”

Why is being open to learn from others critical for mission success?
By being open to learn from each other’s different experiences, opinions, and knowledge, we will get through any obstacle or achieve any goal. It’s critical we share and preserve knowledge from one another to continue being successful in our mission.

What advice would you give to a new employee?
Network as much as possible. I challenge everyone to build relationships with others outside of your bubble. It will open so many doors.

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My parents. They both have an incredible work ethic and I’m fortunate to have them. They have done their best to give back to the community through coaching, running women’s groups, making donations, being involved in their unions, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and being leaders in the workplace. I strive every day to make them proud in everything I do, and try to live up to their legacies.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Terry West 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.

At Pantex we’re known for our assembly capabilities. Terry West, on the other hand, is known for taking things apart. As an Engineering Technical Waste Operator, West is one of the experts who knows how to get the job done right when there are things that need to be dismantled, recycled, or disposed of.

“I handle hazardous and nonhazardous waste that is generated throughout Pantex,” West said. “We take care of discarded chemicals, expired weapons material, package components, handle trash that is sent to the landfill, and process materials to the correct disposal sites.”

West is a second generation Pantexan. For the past 46 years, he’s dedicated his life to the mission. While West works with discarded or unneeded materials, he says not one minute of his time here has been a waste.

“Put in the work, and you’ll receive a lifetime of rewards,” he said. “By being employed at Pantex, I have been able to give me and my family a great life. Every job is important toward the mission. From waste operations to the plant president, we all must do our jobs, especially in a safety sense.”

Dedication and loyalty are the foundation of West’s service. He says he is just proud to be a member of the Pantex family and lucky to be associated with the people who make Pantex such a special place to work.

“We are still one the most important parts of our nation’s security,” West said. “The work that the employees and the company does that reaches the community is something to be proud of.”

Why is communication important for your team to succeed?
Communication is key in every job at Pantex. It starts at the top and needs to be communicated down to everyone in line to get the job done. No communication means no success in getting the job done.

Why is it important we keep a questioning attitude?
We all need to question the job at hand if you don’t feel it can be done safely or done right. With all the new people at Pantex, someone will bring up a new and faster way to do something. But in our business, faster is not always the safer way of getting the job done. I’ve been here long enough to know why we have procedures in place along with all the lessons learned that we read in our daily workday. We all want to go home every day after a safe day at work. So, I’m not afraid to question or even stop work just to make sure we are doing a job the safest way possible.

Why is giving back to the community important?
Kids Inc. was big in my life as a kid. I played every sport that they offered. United Way supported Kids Inc. and makes it affordable for parents to allow their kids to get to participate. So, I will always support the United Way.

What’s your top bucket list item and why?
To see the Masters golf tournament in person and see the best golfers play on the most beautiful place on earth.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
I have two; the first one is racing. I started racing motorcycles at 14 years old, and 36 years later, I race sprint cars. Now, my wife and I own the sprint car that our son races at Route 66 Motor Speedway. My other passion is golf. I ran the Pantex Golf League from 2006 to 2016. In 2018, I started a mini tour, Top of Texas AM Tour, to put on individual tournaments. I competed in the World Amateur Championships in Myrtle Beach for ten years. That was the ultimate of tournaments that I played in. So, I stay busy with racing and golf.

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
I have to say my parents. My mom was a quiet person until I didn’t follow the right rules of life. My Dad was the one that led me to racing. It was his hobby and he made sure I had the best equipment possible. We still talk about racing every time we talk. We also talk about the times that he worked at Pantex. He retired from DOE in 1994. Being 93 years old, he still remembers names and the things that happened in the past years here. So, I am very blessed to have great parents.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Taylor Cockrell 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.

Among the people, pews, and praise at his church, Cloud Administrator Taylor Cockrell discovered more than he anticipated — a career in information technology.

Cockrell initially went to college for mechanical engineering, but he changed his major to sound production while working as an audio technician for his church. As he learned this auditory and technical craft, Cockrell quickly realized how much it involved IT, especially with networking. This realization turned into fascination, and not long after, he found himself working in IT-related jobs. First, he broadened his IT knowledge at a massive cattle-feeding operation. Four years later, he traded bovines for bombs.

“I was really excited and also grateful for the opportunity to work at Pantex,” Cockrell said. “My first year here was during site separation, which demanded a lot from my team when migrating from OneNet to PxNet and other related duties, but I enjoyed it.”

Cockrell’s pride in working here ties into what he appreciates the most about his job.

“I’m proud to be a part of the mission,” he said. “Pantex is a community, and we all have the same goal. What we do goes beyond our site borders. It’s important to me to be a part of that, and along the way, I get to work with a lot of diverse people with different skill sets. We help each other. I get better at what I do every day because of them.”

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” is a proverb that Cockrell lives by daily. He also knows that while you can improve through interaction with others, a continuous pursuit of knowledge is just as valuable to personal development.

“When you stop learning, you don’t grow as a person,” he said. “I continue to learn in my job and personal life to be the best I can be. Also, part of that growth comes from what not to do and in holding ourselves accountable. No matter how big or small you mess up, don’t sweep it under the rug. Own it and grow from it.”

What’s your top bucket list item and why?
Skydiving. Life can be so routine and skydiving is something out of the norm. I know a few people that have done this and have really enjoyed it. I think it would be a one-and-done situation, but I could look back and be proud I conquered something that earlier in my life I was too afraid to do.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Coaching my son’s flag football team. The opportunity arose and I was hesitant at first, but I ended up really loving it. It’s made a huge positive impact on our relationship.

Why is giving back to the community important?
It’s important for Pantex to show it is more than just a government entity and that it cares for the people in the community, that we care about the area we all call home. I also believe it’s great to serve others and to see how happy they are when you help them when they need it the most, even if it’s something small.

Do you volunteer or remain actively engaged in the community?
I now run sound at my church as a volunteer. I’ve always enjoyed doing that and serving in the kingdom of God to help others.

Members of the SWAT team stand in the newly painted walking path leading from the Building 16-37 Argus to Building 16-001

Safety & Industrial Hygiene is calling in the SWAT team. But don’t worry, it’s probably not what you’re thinking.

Pantex has deployed a proactive new approach to site safety with the establishment of the Safe Walkways & Trafficways (SWAT) team. The term "SWAT" typically makes people think of specialized tactical units responding to critical incidents, but the Pantex SWAT team does not engage in high-risk law enforcement scenarios. Their mission however, is equally critical: safeguarding Pantexans from preventable injuries.

The team's name underscores site leadership’s dedicated focus on improving the infrastructure that Pantexans navigate daily. Designed to address issues before they escalate, this proactive approach mirrors the strategic and focused nature of its law enforcement namesake.

“SWAT was created to identify and remediate issues before they become a problem for Pantexans,” Safety and Industrial Hygiene Support and Compliance Manager Laresa Halcom said. “The team charter was formed to help fill the gap of a tripping hazard being identified and being repaired.”

This initiative aims to systemically identify and mitigate potential hazards related to slips, trips, and falls across the site, reinforcing Pantex’s commitment to a safe and secure work environment for all employees. This proactive stance is expected to streamline the resolution process and reinforce overall site safety.

The formation of the SWAT team is a direct response to persistent safety challenges. Over the past five years, Pantex has averaged approximately 16 documented slips, trips, or falls annually. The three-year average stands at 15 incidents per year, with 15 documented incidents already recorded for the current calendar year. These statistics point to the need for an intentional reduction effort.

"The intent is that we are improving walkways and roadways with controls that will eliminate or mitigate hazards that contribute to slips, trips, or falls," Halcom stated. “In our first charter meeting, we immediately identified areas that have been reported as an issue or seen first-hand. Currently, we are working through that list; however, we plan to begin going from facility to facility, zone by zone until we can say we have inspected the entire plant.”

The strength of the SWAT team lies in its diverse expertise and representation from across Pantex, including Safety and Industrial Hygiene personnel, the Metal Trades Council, the Pantex Guard Union, Facility Operations, Infrastructure Roadways, and Infrastructure Maintenance. This multidisciplinary team ensures that a wide range of perspectives and technical knowledge are applied to identifying and solving safety issues. Even though the team is relatively new, its already making a big impact around the site.

"This initiative began in August and we have been successful in creating a walking path from the Building 16-37 Argus to Building 16-001,” Halcom said. “I look forward to seeing the team accomplish additional improved surfaces.”

Safety is a collaborative effort at Pantex, and Halcom expects that the formation of the SWAT team will lead to tangible improvements in site conditions and a reduction in preventable injuries.

Pantexans are encouraged to actively participate in this new safety initiative. If you identify any areas of concern regarding walkways or trafficways that could pose a safety risk, contact the SWAT team by reaching out to Halcom or MTC and PGU Safety representatives. We all have a collective responsibility and commitment to creating a safer environment for every individual at the Pantex Plant.

"The expectation is that we as a team get out and walk the walkways and trafficways of Pantex and are successful in delivering safe, new or repaired areas and eliminating hazards!" Halcom said.

AMARILLO, TX – Officials with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the Pantex Plant, operated by PanTeXas Deterrence, LLC, (PXD), today celebrated the successful completion of the Last Production Unit (LPU) of the W88 Alteration (Alt) 370 nuclear warhead in November 2025.

Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the NNSA Brandon Williams was in attendance for site tours, briefings, and served as keynote speaker for the LPU celebration event. Also in attendance were National Security Enterprise partners in achieving the milestone, representatives of the U.S Navy, and Pantex local stakeholders.

“Reaching this LPU milestone required tremendous effort from all Pantex employees, along with the co-operation and collaboration from thousands of workers at Nuclear Security Enterprise sites across the country, and a close working relationship with the NNSA” PXD President and General Manager Kelly Beierschmitt said. “The success of this program demands the highest standards of safety, security, and quality from all involved. I commend everyone involved for their contributions.”

“Delivering on the W88 LPU is a proud moment and successful enterprise-wide team effort,” said Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong. “This milestone also exemplifies NNSA’s commitment to provide the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile to the Department of War in support of national and global security.”

This alteration of the W88 is part of NNSA's multi-faceted strategy to ensure the United States nuclear deterrent continues to be safe, secure, and effective. The W88 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile nuclear warhead that entered the stockpile in late 1988.

The W88 Alt 370 program entered the development engineering phase in 2012 and production engineering began in early 2017. The W88 Alt 370 First Production Unit (FPU) was successfully completed in July 2021, ahead of schedule through outstanding teamwork from the Pantex Plant, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Kansas City Nuclear Security Campus, and Y-12 National Security Complex.

The W88 Alt 370 program replaced certain aspects of the weapons system and refreshed the conventional high explosives within the weapon to enhance nuclear safety and support future life extension program options.

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.

For more information on Pantex, visit www.pantex.energy.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Thousands of dedicated Pantexans like John Laseter 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.

“A job worth doing is a job worth doing right.” The words of John Laseter’s late father echo in his life every day as a Pantexan.

“Working at Pantex reinforces that purpose,” Laseter said. “This mission is extremely important to the nation, and I’m proud to be a part of that. Technically and geopolitically, what we do is fascinating and also intimidating; but regardless of whatever team you’re on, you have to have pride in the job.”

Laseter came from the banking world, bringing his information technology (IT) background to Pantex, where he serves as a software engineer. He’s part of a dedicated team that manages and maintains various applications such as Process Workflow Management, iTools, and eDC/RO. He is happy and proud to be part of a group with a singular purpose.

“I love the team that I’m with,” Laseter said. “Everybody in IT is super cool, respectful, and dedicated to their jobs and the mission. We all have different talents and proficiencies, and having a team with varying approaches is critical for best possible output.”

Recently, Laseter learned that truth in the best way possible – through experience. Working alongside fellow IT staff as well as individuals from other organizations, he played a key role in the completion of a major undertaking that he is extremely proud of.

“The Pantex Visitor Access Project,” he said. “It was an overhaul of the Pantex access and escort request process. There were lots of growing pains but it’s proven a positive change. I’m really glad Pantex did this and that I was a part of the team that implemented it.”

In his time on the project, Laseter took away many important lessons and it reinforced some of his preexisting values about an individual’s contribution and responsibility to group work.

“What we do at Pantex is a total team effort,” he said. “Being honest and taking responsibility for your actions builds trust and openness among teammates. You can’t expect others to hold you accountable. You’re that last line of defense. Owning up is something only you can do.”

What advice would you give to a new employee?
Don’t try to be an expert in everything at once. It’s going to take a while. You may have preconceived notions about Pantex and your job, but actually doing the job is more important when it comes to fully understanding Pantex and gaining skills.

What’s your top bucket list item and why?
I’ve grown into liking classical music, especially live performances. I saw Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and it was an emotional experience. I really want to hear Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 live.

Who has inspired you the most?
My dad. I got everything from him. Name, looks, 90% of my personality, work ethic, and outlook on life. I picked up his values and ethics and more without thinking about it, kind of like through osmosis. He refused to do anything that was questionable. And he always stuck to his guns.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Jeramy Jones 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.

Usually babysitting a younger sibling results in a “thank you” or if you’re lucky a few dollars and some take-out pizza. But for Jeramy Jones, watching his younger stepsister as a teen led to him being an at-home winner on The Bozo Show’s Grand Prize Game.

“At the time, I was babysitting and Bozo’s was one of the shows my sister would watch and it kept her entertained,” Jones said. “There was an advertisement for an at-home player, so I entered the drawing just to have her enter too. The at-home player won a duplicate of every prize won by the live in-studio player. I didn’t even know I was selected, but the next thing I know there are boxes of prizes showing up at our door.”

Jones won several prizes and toys, but his favorite was a year’s supply of Big League Chew bubblegum. Several years later, the bubble never popped, and Jones continued his winning streak by being hired on at Pantex in 2001. As the Waste Compliance section manager, he serves Pantex by leading the team that ensures compliance with federal and state regulations. While the Big League Chew may have lost its flavor long ago, Jones never lost his passion for the job.

“I have worked at Pantex for over 24 years. My team and I contribute to the mission success by reviewing, characterizing, and documenting all waste-generating processes so that Pantex remains compliant with all regulations,” Jones said. “It brings me joy to think that I work at a place that truly makes a difference in the world. I am proud to be a Pantexan, because I know that the work we all do contributes to nuclear deterrence.”

What do you think makes Pantex so special?
There is no other place that can do what we do the way we do it!

Why is being open to learn from others critical for mission success?
Being able to learn from others is so important at Pantex because we are so specialized. Knowledge and work practices being shared and passed down from current and past employees are many times vital to complete job tasks.

What does operational excellence mean to you?
To me, operational excellence can be simply stated as, ‘everything that you do, do it with excellence.’

Why is teamwork important?
Teamwork is very important in our group. The adage, ‘no man is an island’ rings true with us and is necessary to aid in the continuous learning process. Everyone brings something special to the table.

What advice would you give to a new employee?
Be patient and don’t be too quick with trying to change the world. Be a sponge and soak up as much as you can about the processes out here so that when your time comes, you’re ready to add something special.

Why is giving back to the community important?
Our communities are special to all of us. It is where we call home. Giving back helps those that aren’t as fortunate within our community. I consider it a pleasure.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
My activities outside of work involve chasing my grandson around. When I’m not doing that, I am either spending time with my family or on the golf course.

Kierya Freiboth, Macey Ray, Alicia Bermudez, Hunter Rose, and Riley Blacksten

The crowd is on its feet, a deafening roar filling the arena. Michigan has possession, and the ball is in the hands of Jalen Rose who is calmly dribbling past half-court before passing to an open Chris Webber. Time is ticking away – five seconds, four seconds, three ... The clock hits zero and ... SWISH! The Fab Five has done it again.

The 1991 Michigan Wolverines Fab Five basketball team is considered one of the greatest recruiting classes of all time. While Pantex doesn’t compete in college basketball, we also recruit and retain the best of the best to achieve our national security mission. That includes our own group of five fabulous weapons engineers: Macey Ray, Hunter Rose, Kierya Freiboth, Alicia Bermudez, and Riley Blacksten.

“We work for the Weapons Material Program,” Freiboth said. “As material engineers, our group owns the entire life cycle of materials used across the plant. We are involved with various working groups and programs to ensure needs are met throughout the site.”

The five Pantexans started right out of college then spent the next three months in the uncleared room where they all sat in the same row, awaiting their clearances. Just like the legendary Michigan team, who was the first in NCAA history to compete in the championship game with all freshman starters, the engineers were the new kids on the block. But just because you’re new doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish great things.

“Pantex is so much different than any other place of employment, so we had a collective lack of knowledge and were going through it together,” Bermudez said. “When we first started, we were assigned big group projects to work, so we were collaborating and learning as a team.”

“We were able to learn as a group,” Ray said. “We are very team oriented, collaborating on the same work day in and day out. At first, it was doing uncleared work together but then we became friends out of it and started doing things outside of work.”

Rose, Freiboth, and Bermudez aren’t local to Amarillo. Ray and Blacksten helped welcome them to the area by socializing after work and attending local events they all enjoyed.

“It can get lonely without friends and knowing the area,” Bermudez said. “I think networking in the uncleared room helps with retention. Before I moved here, I didn’t know how long I would stay, but I like it here now. You’re here for 9 hours a day; if you’re not friends with people you work with, it makes it harder to find friends outside of work.”

“Meeting each other in the uncleared room diversified our knowledge outside of what we’re the subject matter expert over, so we’re more well-rounded,” Freiboth said.

From concerts to hiking to game nights, the group is together more often than they’re apart. They do so much outside of work that it makes it so there are no communication barriers at the plant.

“It’s so nice that it translates from outside of work. We hold each other accountable,” Ray said. “Since I see us all on the same playing field, it’s motivating because I don’t want to be the one dragging us down, so it makes us work harder for each other.”

Thanks to their own positive experience in the uncleared room, the group had advice for new Pantexans going in.

“In your downtime between trainings, don’t just focus on the screen – focus on the people,” Bermudez said. “There is work to do and it’s important to do it, but the connections you make in there will be what help you get work done as you progress in your career. You grow your social skills by networking with the people around you. Use that as an opportunity. There is no better time to start.”
So, while the material engineers won’t be shooting hoops at a collegiate level anytime soon, their friendship does score major points.

“Pantex would’ve been great without them, but it is 10 times better with them,” Ray said.

For Pantex expediter Andy Sotelo, boxing saved his life. He knew while growing up in the small town of Fairview, Montana, that there were more ways to find trouble than not, but boxing gave him purpose and drive.

“Coach said ‘come and practice,’ so we did, and it kept us off the streets,” Sotelo said. “Also, my uncles used to box so I kind of wanted to follow their footsteps.”

Sotelo boxed competitively for 13 years starting in middle school before moving on to amateur level fighting as a 165-pound middleweight. Over his career he boxed in 130 matches, winning 100 of them.

Sotelo’s lucky number must be five as he is a five-time Golden Gloves champion, five-time state champion, and five-time regional champion. He went to nationals five times, placing as high as third in the nation.

“I've been knocked down a couple of times, but never knocked out,” he said. “And I still got my teeth.”

For Sotelo, boxing wasn’t just a fun sport he was good at; he loved the opportunities it gave him to travel and see more of the country. He once fought at the Olympic Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and in Canada four different times. He fought among those who would later make big names for themselves such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Antonio Tarver, Jermain Taylor, and Jeff Lacey.

One of the biggest matches Sotelo fought was against Canada’s national champion in 1998 and was broadcast on national TV. A fight that he won.

“I sometimes regret not going pro,” he said. “But I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

As an expediter, Sotelo has handled material moves with a forklift for seven years after starting his Pantex career as a custodian. Before that, he ran his own cleaning business for the 13 years.

“It's very important we bring material down to the south end, or to the north end,” he said. “It's a pretty good job to have and working on your skills is huge.”

Like boxing, Sotelo says his job requires practice, focus, and having the right mindset to be prepared for anything, because every fight is different.

“In boxing, working on your skills is everything and that translates to my job,” he said.

Sotelo continues to be involved in boxing as exercise. He’s still got the speed and heart, but gets tired more quickly than he used to. He also continues his involvement as a mentor to younger hopefuls. He feels honored to show them the basics.

Both his son and daughter got into boxing for a while and his daughter was especially impressive. He’d like to get even more involved in working with young boxers to share some of the life advice that has helped him in his life.

“From inside the ring to outside of the ring, be confident, be positive,” Sotelo said. “Sometimes life is a struggle, you know, it’s just how you roll with the punches. Just make the best of it.”

Watch this video to watch Andy Sotelo, amateur boxer and proud Pantexan, in action.