News

CIO expands capability for remote work during COVID-19 epidemic

Joe Harris left the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., at the beginning of February this year and reported to work at Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, (CNS) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. just 10 days later. The new chief information officer—with responsibility for leading the Information Solutions and Services organization—had no idea a worldwide pandemic would thrust incredible requirements on the CNS employees and organization shortly after his arrival.

Read full press release on the NNSA website.

The first DOE site to conduct an exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic

Amarillo, TX – On August 13, Pantex conducted a successful full-scale emergency exercise, the first this year in the DOE Complex to be held with COVID-19 pandemic protocols in place.

Pantex regularly conducts emergency exercises and drills to practice and demonstrate the plant’s ability to effectively respond to a potential emergency event. During the recent exercise the Pantex Emergency Response Organization (ERO) implemented unique safety controls to mitigate potential spread of COVID-19 while conducting the exercise.

“Pantex Emergency Management and ERO members were able to think outside of the box and conduct a full-scale exercise that allowed for COVID-19 controls to be in place,” said Daniel Gleaves, Pantex Emergency Services Senior Director. “Pantex has blazed the trail and identified lessons learned that sites throughout the Complex will use.”

From operations onsite to the Joint Information Center located at the Amarillo College downtown campus, ERO members implemented safety controls such as setting up stations differently with social distancing in mind, foregoing face-to-face for alternative means of communication, and limiting the number of evaluators while successfully meeting the exercise objectives.

“All responders followed COVID-19 controls no different than we do now at Pantex every day, which is to maintain social distance as much as possible, and all responders always wore their face coverings,” Gleaves said. “They were very conscious about continuously implementing COVID-19 controls during the response and were very adept at identifying ways to get the job done when controls impacted their actions.”

Third party evaluators gave the following statement on the exercise, “Pantex emergency responders and site employees ultimately demonstrated that the site can respond to an Operational Emergency effectively while operating under COVID-19 pandemic protocols.”

Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes said he was proud of the way Pantex Emergency Management ERO members handled the new protocols. “While it was challenging to run an exercise with pandemic protocols in place, our people understood the importance of running these exercises and stepped up to work together.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; 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
Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Kennedy Venneman, a professional chemistry major at West Texas A&M University, spent her second summer interning at Pantex this year. (No mask necessary in workspace.)

Across the country, college students have been forced to adjust schedules and routines for the upcoming academic year in response to COVID-19. Despite the changes it has brought, CNS successfully committed to providing educational development opportunities for students this summer as a part of the CNS Internship Program.

In June, Pantex and Y-12 welcomed 40 participants, 16 at Pantex and 24 at Y-12, to the 2020 intern class! Each had the opportunity to learn what CNS has to offer, virtually and in person.

Behind the mission
Brittany Schidel, a mechanical engineering major pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Tennessee, was prepared to begin her first internship at Y-12. Growing up in Knoxville, she was familiar with the site’s history and even got to attend student outreach events at New Hope Center. Nonetheless, the knowledge she has gained from her time interning with Y-12 Reliability & Maintainability was eye opening.

“I was surprised by the amount of information I have learned in such a short period of time,” Schidel said. “I have been able to participate in field work along with supporting the condition based maintenance team in their future projects on site. Everyone has been so helpful with teaching me about the site and allowing me to work hands on with them and understand what the Preventive Maintenance team does at Y-12.”

As a Ph.D. pre candidate in nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan, Thomas Folk looked forward to interning at Y-12 for the first time. Along with having the opportunity to relate his curriculum to real world experience, Folk was also eager to apply and contribute to the mission after learning more about Y-12 at the Millennial Nuclear Caucus at New Hope Center in 2019.

During his interview, Folk admittedly knew he was in the right place for the summer.

“A big reason that drove me to want to intern at Y-12 is through the conversation with my hiring manager during an interview,” Folk said. “Not only did I want to take on an internship for the technical aspect, I equally desired to build leadership qualities and strong team working abilities.”

A ‘new normal’ summer
With her sights set to become a future chemical engineer, Danica Ruiz, a chemical engineering major at Texas Tech University, knew Pantex would allow her to gain the skills to do so through improving her technical experience and problem solving skills. As the summer approached, Ruiz admits she was thankful that CNS made the effort to preserve the internship program despite the pandemic.

“CNS has made every effort to ensure our safety and well-being by implementing teleworking and a remote onboarding process,” Ruiz said. “Since I have been able to start working on site, everyone at Pantex has been welcoming while still encouraging and participating in social distancing. I am incredibly thankful for the valuable experience I have gained in this short amount of time. CNS has shown their ability to continue towards their mission without compromising safety.”

For Bryce Rogers, a business management major with a concentration in project management at Elon University, his second year interning at Y-12 looked a little different than the last. As Rogers primarily teleworked through his internship, his experience with Y-12 Supply Chain Management proved to be just as valuable and engaging.

“Everyone who I’ve spoken with has tried to keep a positive outlook on everything,” Rogers said. “This is obviously not how many of us expected to be performing our internships this summer; however, many of the employees continue to be just as engaged and impactful to my experience here, just as if I was standing right there in their cube.”

While working with Y-12 Supply Chain Management, Rogers admittedly not only took away practical skills for the future by getting involved with daily meetings and tasks. He also began to understand the gravity of the mission.

“The fact that I get to tell people the work that we perform every day helps keep the country safe is something that I never thought I’d get a chance to say,” Rogers said. “To be completely honest, the work that we do here is just plain cool.”

Thomas Folk took part in the CNS mission this summer interning with Y-12 Global Security. (No mask necessary in private space.)

As a mechanical engineering major at West Texas A&M, Hector Rivero Figueroa (left) looked forward to interning with Pantex Engineering, “because it is one of the best careers to have here in the Amarillo area.”

Drew Rowlands (center), an intern with Pantex Fire Protection, was able to refine his skillset as a fire protection and safety engineering major at Oklahoma State University.

For Brittany Schidel, taking part in hands‑on experiences, means learning how condition‑based maintenance is able to improve workflow on‑site and assist areas of the plant.

Gordon-Hagerty was joined by U.S. Rep. Thornberry to survey and celebrate the continuing efforts of the Pantex workforce

WASHINGTON – Last week, Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and U.S. Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, continued her tour of the Nuclear Security Enterprise by visiting the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. U.S. Rep. William “Mac” Thornberry joined the Administrator’s visit where they met with members of the Pantex workforce and toured a number of Pantex facilities.

Read full press release on the NNSA website.

Pantex, Y-12 honored for sustainable purchasing practices

Amarillo, Texas— Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC recently received 2020 Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Purchaser Awards for excellence in their procurement of sustainable information technology products at Y-12 National Security and the Pantex Plant. In a virtual ceremony, the sites were recognized by the Green Electronics Council for purchasing EPEAT electronics such as computers, printers, phones, televisions, copiers, scanners and servers.

“Receiving EPEAT awards for both Y-12 and Pantex validates our sustainable acquisition practices,” said Sherith Hudson, CNS Sustainable Acquisition Program Coordinator. “By considering how we operate in the ecological, social and economic environment, we are creating long-term value for taxpayers, and because we operate federal facilities, our sustainable IT purchases encourage the adoption of similar practices by other federal and commercial entities, which helps mature the market for sustainable products.”

Pantex and Y-12 were among 74 organizations from around the world who were celebrated for their decision to purchase sustainable electronic products. The organizations included cities, states, federal agencies, healthcare systems, universities, K-12 school systems and companies. The organizations recognized required EPEAT in their procurement policies and contracts and reported EPEAT purchasing volume through their award application.

“EPEAT Purchaser Award winners are champions in the practice of sustainable procurement,” said Nancy Gillis, CEO of the Green Electronics Council. “Their leadership creates sustainability gains not only for their own organizations but for all purchasers of electronics globally by creating demand for sustainable products.”

Hudson agreed, explaining that CNS considers both the local and global impact of its strategies. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global supply chain emphasizes the importance of buying sustainable IT products,” Hudson said. “When supply chains are restricted, it’s easy to imagine a future where non-renewable resources are not available. Whether facing this pandemic or other local or global challenges, our investment in energy-efficient products, such as EPEAT-registered equipment, will save energy and improve all of our resiliency.”

A video of CNS Pantex and Y-12 representatives at the virtual awards ceremony is available at on the CNS website or view the entire ceremony on the Green Electronics Council’s website.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; 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, Twitter or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Electronics Technician Galen Boothe, a 50-year Pantexan, works on a Micro-Plasma Tig Welder in the Electronics Shop

In honor of World Photography Day, we’d like to introduce you to Pantex Photographer Michael Schumacher.

You may have seen Michael around the plant – he has a camera in tow and a smile on his face – ready to snap photos of the people, places, and events of the Pantex Plant.

Michael has taken photographs since he was a young boy, first learning basic photography, cameras, exposure, and darkroom film processing and printing from his father who was a hobbyist photographer. His first camera was a Kodak Brownie, and he took family snap shots and silly pictures of his feet.

He fell in love with photography while living in Wyoming.

“I caught the photo bug while living in Wyoming with all beautiful scenery around Big Horn, Sheridan, and Yellowstone.”

Michael said he has always wanted to be a photographer and had his first news photo published at the age of 15 – a breaking news story photo of a smashed tricycle.

“After that, I wanted to be a photojournalist,” he said, “so I went to school and began working in the newspaper industry for 35 years at papers in Oklahoma and Texas.”

Most recently Michael spent 20 years at the Amarillo Globe-News before coming to Pantex in 2019. He says he’s photographed a lot of wonderful and amazing people and has seen a lot of bad things he’d like to forget in his career as a photojournalist.

Michael has been married to his wife Shari for 36 years, and they spend their spare time raising Chow Chows.

His favorite part of being a photographer is meeting people and telling their stories in pictures.

“I like to capture personality in a photo and show people somethings they have never seen before,” he said. “I always wanted to be the eyes for a community and make a difference with my photography.”

Michael said one of his favorite things to photograph is lightning.

“It’s so cool looking and unpredictable,” he said. “One summer night I was shooting at the Cadillac Ranch trying to catch meteors from the Perseids Meteor shower which happens every August.”

In the late hours a storm rolled up and went right over the Cadillacs.

“I got several nice pictures of lightning and this one in particular where my silhouette showed up in the frame,” he said. “I always liked that picture and I still thank God to this day for protecting me while shooting pictures in the middle of a wheat field with lightning striking all around.”

Michael has a strong faith and says that God motivates him, but he has admired Ansel Adams’ black and white photography his entire life.

“I was also inspired by many Associated Press photographers for years, especially the Vietnam era shooters,” he said. “Their photos during the war touched my heart and opened my eyes to the power of photography and its ability to change the world.”

Michael’s bucket list for photography includes spending time in Israel.

“The history and people of that area intrigue me,” he said. “I’d love to spend a year documenting the country.”

When asked how his role at Pantex adds to the mission he said “as a Pantex photographer, my goal is to illustrate the day to day operation at Pantex and to tell the great stories about our proud Pantexan workforce through photos.”

Michael said he has the best job in the world.

“I get to meet new people every day, learn cool stuff and tell incredible stories in photos,” he said. “I usually keep a smiley-face sticker on the back of my cameras to remind me to always have fun. If I’m having fun, then everyone around is usually having a good time and it shows in photographs I make. So let’s have fun people!”

Security Police Officer Payten Pearson training at the Pantex Range

Pantex Tool Maker Michael Gover (QC), a 15-year employee, watches the milling process on a Mazak Mill in the Machine Shop

Electric Cadillacs

Selfie fun

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) is demonstrating a continued commitment to business partnership, even in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of ongoing outreach to business owners and potential vendors, CNS representatives will host a virtual Partners in Excellence (PIE) forum on August 26. During the online PIE event, leaders will offer attendees a slice of knowledge about successfully doing business with Pantex and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee. The event is free and open to all, but registration is recommended.

Click for a larger version.

CNS began the PIE event series in April 2018 because the government contract solicitation process can be a bit overwhelming for businesses, particularly newcomers. Each year, CNS awards over $1 billon in subcontracts to businesses that help accomplish specialized tasks in support of its vital national security mission.

What: Virtual Partners in Excellence Forum
Who: CNS procurement leaders, business owners
When: August 26, 2020, 1-3 p.m./2-4 p.m. EDT
Where: Online via WebEx. Click the link and then click “Register”.
Why: To share site information, requirements, and upcoming opportunities with potential subcontractors and vendors.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; 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
Allison Roberts
Communications
Office 806.573.0501
allison.roberts@pantex.doe.gov

Michelle Reichert becomes CEO as Morgan Smith retires; Bill Tindal becomes COO

Amarillo, Texas, and Oak Ridge, Tenn. — Michelle Reichert becomes president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, effective Friday, August 14, 2020. Reichert, the current chief operating officer (COO) for CNS, replaces Morgan Smith, who is retiring after six years at CNS and a career that spans more than 42 years of service to national security.

Reichert will assume responsibility for both of the National Nuclear Security Administration production plants under CNS's contract: the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

In addition, current Y-12 site manager Bill Tindal becomes COO, effective on the same date.

Smith served as CNS's president and CEO since February of 2016 and has been with CNS since the company assumed management of Pantex and Y-12 in July 2014, initially serving as the company’s chief operating officer. Prior to that, he was general manager of both the Bettis and Knolls Atomic Power laboratories within the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

“I have long admired Morgan’s work ethic and his devotion to our Nation and our national security mission,” says Barb Rusinko, president of Bechtel Nuclear, Security, and Environmental and chair of the CNS Board of Managers. “Morgan’s focus on creating an organization where people are connected to their leaders as well as their mission has helped CNS colleagues deliver critical work for our customers.”

During Smith’s tenure, the sites delivered their national security mission at levels not reached since the Cold War, while achieving infrastructure and culture improvements that position both sites for enduring operations. Smith also served as co-chair of the NNSA Operations and Efficiencies Board and vice chair elect of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG).

“It has been a privilege and an honor to work alongside the patriots that comprise the federal and contractor workforces in support of this vital national security mission,” Smith says. “After working closely with Michelle over the past six years — including the last four with her in the deputy role — I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead Pantex and Y-12 into the future. Her technical expertise, experience at both sites, and care for people position her and the sites for future success.”

Reichert brings more than 30 years of experience to her new role. She began her career at Y-12 in 1988 and spent 22 years in Oak Ridge. She then held multiple leadership roles at Pantex, and for the last four years she has been CNS's deputy enterprise manager and chief operating officer. As COO, Reichert has overseen integration activities across the two sites, with a focus on internal operations and continuously improving safe, secure, zero defect delivery of the national security mission. Her technical expertise covers a wide range of high-hazard operations in support of nuclear security, including production operations, environmental management, safety and health, emergency management, and processing of enriched uranium.

Tindal came to Y-12 in 1995 and rose from shift technical advisor in Building 9206 to head up production, becoming Y-12’s site manager in 2014. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in highly hazardous nuclear facility operations to his role as COO. As Y-12 site manager, Tindal has managed the daily integration of nearly 5,000 employees across the site to ensure production deliverables meet requirements for safety, security, quality, schedule, and cost. Tindal has been instrumental in managing long-term efforts to transform Y-12’s essential national assets and capabilities.

“It is the privilege of my career to assume this leadership position, and I look forward to our journey together,” Reichert said. “The nation depends on the patriots of Pantex and Y-12 to deliver. There is much work to be done, and we will continue to focus on delivering our mission and building an enduring future for our sites.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; 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, Twitter or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Jason Bohne
Communications
Office (865) 241.1400
Jason.Bohne@cns.doe.gov

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct an emergency exercise on August 13. During this exercise, people in the vicinity of Pantex may observe emergency personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise.

Emergency exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and ensure the public, Pantex employees and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency.

Again, you may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise, If you observe suspicious activity before August 9 or after August 10, please report your observations to 477-5000.

Take five minutes and learn about CNS’s Laura Valdez, Quality Projects and Programs. “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 employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

Laura Valdez, Quality Projects and Programs.

With 27 years of experience at Pantex, Laura Valdez has a passion for doing things well. This has made her job in Quality Projects and Programs the perfect fit for the last ten years.

“I enjoy instilling quality in our mission. Even more satisfying is witnessing the same passion in others for quality and for making sure what we do is the right thing and for the right reasons,” she said.

Laura graduated from Caprock High School in Amarillo, Texas and never dreamed she’d be working at Pantex. Attending West Texas A&M University, Laura earned both undergraduate and masters degrees in accounting. She began working at Pantex as a budget analyst. Since then, she has worked in Projects, Program Management, and now Quality. The experience and knowledge gained from each area has paved a path to her passion for what we do at Pantex and for doing what is right.

What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?
The role I am in now is very gratifying because Quality touches every aspect of what we do at both sites. I have the opportunity to work with many different organizations and processes. I’m also in a position to affect change, whether it’s from a continuous improvement perspective or responding to an issue. I view our role as the conscience of the company, which carries with it a great responsibility to ensure not only that we meet our mission, but that we do it right.

Are you doing what you envisioned as a young adult?
No. I knew I wanted to be an accountant from an early age; and, at the time, never saw myself as doing anything else. The significance of what we do at Pantex means so much more to me now than when I was younger or even when I first started working here.

Although my education is in accounting, I have been able to move into positions that helped me grow and learn. I never would have thought I’d be doing what I do now. I’ve been in this position for ten years, the longest I’ve been in any position here.

As an employee, what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered as a person who isn’t afraid to speak up for what is right. Those who know me know that I speak my mind; and, when I do, it’s always from a good place. I’ve seen what can happen if someone doesn’t speak up, and I don’t want to be the one who stood by and let something happen because I said nothing. I am that way at work and at home.

I am also someone who will volunteer where I see a need and have a hard time saying no when asked to help. I hope I am remembered as a person who helps others.

What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex or Y-12?
Don’t hesitate to offer suggestions for improvement. Ask questions. A new set of eyes and perspective on processes are an important aspect of a learning organization.

Another bit of advice that I feel strongly about is to learn as much as you can about different functions at work. Don’t limit yourself or hesitate to try something new. Pantex is a great place to do that, because you have the opportunity to move into other positions and build on your experience and knowledge base. It can be very rewarding personally, especially as it increases your contribution to the organization and our success.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity?
I spend a lot of time with my family. My husband, Jason, and I have been married for 21 years and have two children. Madison is 13 and Alex is 16. I enjoy being involved in their school and sport activities. I recently coached my daughter’s club volleyball team and will be helping coach her team at Holy Cross Catholic Academy this year.