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Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Terri Gutierrez 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.

Terri Gutierrez has been roller-skating for so long her skates used to have wooden wheels. They were handed down from her mom who used them as a teenager. Gutierrez has since upgraded the wheels to modern racing wheels, but she relishes the memories made wearing her mother’s vintage set at the rink growing up.

“Roller skating puts a smile on my face as it takes me back to when I was in junior high and how fun it was with my friends,” Gutierrez said. “I used to save all of my money from birthdays and holidays for wheels and to go roller-skating.”

Gutierrez is as natural on eight wheels at the roller rink as she is on two feet performing her job at Pantex. As the administrative senior support for Communications, she’s the go-to for all support functions.

She contributes to the mission by assisting Communications with daily tasks, scheduling requests, monitoring trainings, ordering supplies, and putting out neighbor notifications of activities occurring plant-wide.

“Helping others is my favorite aspect of my work environment,” Gutierrez said. “As a mother takes care of her children, I feel as if I am taking care of my coworkers. If I can help my coworkers complete their daily tasks, it makes their job more successful in completing the mission.”

Gutierrez stays busy with work and family life but still makes time to skate when she can. Her job requires time working at a computer, so she roller-skates to move her body and stay active.

“Skating is good exercise with my life now, and exercise is much needed,” Gutierrez said. “If I could skate every week, I would.”

Why are communications important for all Pantex employees?
Communication is key to knowledge. With such a large workforce, we must get the accurate information out to employees. Inaccurate information shared can break a task. We must ensure the most accurate information is shared.

What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Breathe — we have all been in your shoes. It can be an overwhelming environment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Since my kids are older, I haven’t been able to sneak to the roller rink as often, but I love to crochet, knit, and sew. Being creative and seeing something from start to finish makes the activity exciting. With a teenager and her activities, my current outside activity is school basketball.

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My grandparents. They always said I could do anything if I really wanted to. They were hardworking people and I loved spending my school vacations at their house and working on the farm.

What advice do you offer someone who has made a mistake in his or her job? How should they be accountable for that issue?
Be honest! We ALL make mistakes. We are human.

What characteristics define a good leader to you?
A good leader is respectful to employees, upfront, and honest. Good leaders take the opportunity to get to know employees and listen to them.

Proper hydration is essential for maintaining focus, energy, and overall well-being. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and reduced concentration, increasing the risk of safety incidents. Even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function and reduce reaction times, making tasks more difficult and hazardous. Staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature, support muscle function, and prevents heat-related illnesses.

As temperatures outside rise, staying hydrated is the key to maintaining safety and performance on – or off – the job. Pantex Site Occupational Medical Director Dr. Michael J. Paston recommends:

1. Drinking water regularly. And don’t wait until you are thirsty to get a drink – at that point you are already beginning to dehydrate! Aim for at least 8-10 cups of water per day, or more if working in hot conditions
2. Bringing a refillable water bottle with you and take small sips though out the day
3. Taking hydration breaks
4. Limiting caffeine and sugary drinks; energy drinks and sodas can dehydrate youv
5. Eating hydrating foods; fruits like oranges, watermelons, and cucumbers help keep you hydrated
6. Recognizing the signs of dehydration: fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, and headache can all be early signs that you need more fluids
7. Following the “clear urine” rule: if your urine is dark yellow, you need more water. Clear light yellow means you’re properly hydrated
8. Using cooling stations or shaded areas if available

Staying hydrated throughout the day is the best way to prevent dehydration and keep your body functioning at its best so you can enjoy summertime with your loved ones!

Lance Cpl Chad Robert Hildebrandt. Memorial stone outside the Hildebrandt residence. The stone is a replica of a memorial located in Springer, N.M.

This article is a personal reflection on Memorial Day, written by Public Affairs Specialist Amberly Winningham.

For many, Memorial Day is a welcome day off to cook out or relax by the lake with family and friends. I will always remember it, however, as a somber reminder of the day I watched my parents being handed a neatly folded American flag as I listened to taps and watched a community mourn the loss of a 22-year-old hero — my big brother.

Lance Cpl. Chad Robert Hildebrandt — my “Bubba” — was killed in action Oct. 17, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom in a combat operation against enemy forces in Al Rutbah, Iraq.

The death of a loved one to combat would understandably hit anyone hard. As a 10-year-old baby sister who idolized her big brother, it utterly changed my life.

After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Chad made the decision to join the United States Marine Corps. Just days after graduating high school in 2003, Chad left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

By the time he departed on his second tour to Iraq in 2005, I knew the dangers my Bubba would face, but you’re never prepared for the worst.

On a sunny, brisk fall afternoon, two Marines walked up our driveway to tell us Chad had given the ultimate sacrifice; the neighboring small New Mexico communities where we lived halted everything to honor him — a small-town hero.

From the hundreds of people in attendance at Chad’s funeral to the groups of people lined up and down Interstate 25 to pay respect as Chad made his final drive, the honor and respect felt was indescribable.

While I lost my brother, the Marines who accompanied him every minute of every day to his final resting place also lost a brother.

I often think about the pain and sadness my brother’s Marine friends felt during those days and how they feel now. I hope they know how much I appreciate their dedicated service in honoring Chad.

We’re approaching the 20-year anniversary of his death and my family still finds coins on Chad’s grave. (Leaving coins indicates a specific connection the visitor had to the deceased.) It’s a bittersweet reminder that my brother continues to be remembered two decades later.

On this Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who gave their lives to fight for our freedom. I also take time to remember those who made it home but lost someone with whom they fought.

Memorial Day will always bring me waves of memories. But, it’s ultimately a day to be thankful and to celebrate the sacrifices given by the noblest and bravest among us — and enjoy that extra burger or hot dog. My Bubba would approve.

Carla Nelson is the winner of the 2025 Pantex Administrative Professional of the Year Award.

It’s nearly impossible to overestimate the influence administrative professionals have in the workplace. Solving problems, keeping teams organized, and wrangling schedules are just a few of the many daily tasks these professionals take on – often with little to no accolades.

Every year, Pantex celebrates administrative assistants by recognizing their achievements and contributions. This year, Carla Nelson, senior support for both Environment, Safety, and Health, and Infrastructure and Modernization, was announced as the 2025 Administrative Professional of the Year.

“Carla’s dedication is exemplified by her willingness to support these many groups and she does so with the best of attitudes,” said Harry Gulley, Environment, Safety, and Health division director. “If you ask her coworkers, you will hear the same replies — on-time, hard-working, sets the example, and dedicated. What would we do without her?”

Nelson started at Pantex in 2018 as a division training officer and transferred to her current role in 2021. She has also been serving as a telephone operator in the Emergency Response Organization for many years.

“Carla is always thinking of the employees and how to help them get their jobs done effectively and efficiently,” said Jimmy Rogers, executive officer for Environment, Safety, and Health. “She is here to make Pantex successful. She is never too busy to come in person and discuss a problem or request and never issues a final answer of ‘I don't know.’”

Rogers said that on top of all the incredible tasks she accomplishes with exceptional professionalism every day, she is always helping train others. Not to mention, it is in Carla’s nature to keep up with birthdays, make cookies, and work to keep team morale high.

“She truly cares and takes the time to mentor others to ensure each division is successful in their contribution to the Pantex mission,” Rogers said.

To Nelson, an administrative professional plays a key role in enhancing operational efficiency, providing customer service, and contributing to the overall success of the organization. She’s part of the glue that helps hold her organizations together.

“Embracing my heart for service has helped me become more open-minded, a better listener, a team player, and an independent worker, which I think makes me a better Pantex citizen,” Nelson said. “Working in the profession has also provided me with proof that I can be resourceful, organized, and professional.”

When she found out she was being recognized, Nelson immediately felt gratitude to her nominating managers, Harry Gulley and Jimmy Rogers, and the judges.

“My success is a direct result of the collaboration and support of my team and colleagues, who I want to thank as well,” Nelson said. “When you love what you do and have great leaders surrounding you, coming to work is enjoyable.”

When you’re a firefighter in the Texas Panhandle, knowing how to fight wildfires is a critical skill – one that Fire Captain Blake Crockett has spent decades honing.

“Wildfires are very unpredictable in their nature,” Crockett said. “There are all kinds of variables that will affect the fire, the movement, and growth.”

Crocket noted that wildfire season in the Panhandle generally extends from around November through April. While the peak season is February and March, that can extend when the combination of warming temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds occur while grass fuels are cured.

When fire conditions are right, eliminating all activities that could initiate a spark is important. This can include driving vehicles in tall grass, grinding or welding, or even dragging metal chains which can easily spark and ignite a fire that could spread rapidly and resist control. Stay aware of local conditions and ensure you have a method to receive warning notifications. During periods of increased risks of fire danger, the National Weather Service can issue a red flag warning.

“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, and people need to be vigilant and take precautions,” Crockett said. “High temperatures and more extreme values of low relative humidity, in addition to high winds, can create favorable weather for rapid fire growth and spread.”

Crockett says the Texas Panhandle is a unique region because the adjacent plains areas have a distinctive geography that contributes to high wildfire frequency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency categorizes the wildfire risk in the region as moderate with high frequency. The region is semi-arid, which means it is relatively dry and lacks trees, but enough moisture exists to support vast grasslands. These grasslands provide a fuel source that burns very easily and allows for rapid spreading in dry conditions.

“Fire is a natural part of our environment and will never go away,” Crockett said. “People need to be proactive and mitigate the risks when there is no fire threat, rather than to be reactive and try to save their property and livelihood at the last minute. It is never too early to prepare for what is inevitable. It’s not if but when a wildfire will happen.”

Whether you’re at work or at home, the key to wildfire safety is the same: preparation. If a wildfire approaches, have a plan in place. Pantex Emergency Management Specialist Stacie Pahl says proactive safety measures increase survivability outcomes during emergency evacuation situations.

“We all put ourselves in a better situation by simply taking time to consider and prioritize our own readiness,” Pahl said. “This can be done by registering for or signing up to receive local emergency alert notifications; knowing evacuation and egress routes from home, school, work, and office locations; preparing an emergency supply kit; having a family plan; etc.”

On high-fire probability days, Pahl recommends charging your phone, fueling your form of transportation, and prepping a go-kit containing extra water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, first-aid kit, a small tool kit that includes scissors, back up charger, batteries, wet wipes, a dust mask, map and compass, and any required medications.

Both Crockett and Pahl agree: one of the most important tips during wildfire response is to stay calm.

“While it’s not necessarily easy, it is important to remain calm and collected during emergencies,” Pahl said. “Being frantic will only lessen the ability to communicate, think clearly, and remain safe during the wildfire.”

The Texas Panhandle gives striking views of the skyline, sunsets that stretch for miles, and acres of tranquil fields. But it also provides an environment inherent to wildfires. Stay safe, informed, and prepared to confidently respond if people, property, or the environment are in danger due to rapidly spreading flames.

Tyler White (left) and Mark McKinley (right)

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman established Armed Forces Day. Designated the third Saturday in May, this day is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military to honor all who serve. At Pantex, many employees remain enlisted. We honor these individuals on May 17 this year.

Enter General Counsel Tyler White and Physical Security Systems Senior Specialist Mark McKinley. White is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) for the New Mexico Air National Guard. McKinley is a Lieutenant Colonel and serves as executive officer in Readiness Support Program 5 in the Marine Corps. Each has a decorated, decade-spanning military career. Both served in Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, although they never crossed paths. Their military experiences differed, yet their motivation to enlist followed a similar thread.

“I needed help to pay for college,” White said. “I had an uncle in the Air Force and Air National Guard. He recommended I enlist to help with tuition as well as gain some life and career skills.”

McKinley has a family history of military service dating back to the Civil War, yet the blood ties weren’t primary motivators to sign up.

“I always wanted to join after I saw ‘Top Gun,’” McKinley said. “Later, that want included the need to support my family.”

After active duty, McKinley got into the oil and gas business with his engineering degree and ended up sipping Texas Tea at Haliburton in Pampa, then later with O-Tex and C&J in Oklahoma City until 2020. In 2021, he headed out to Pantex.

“I wanted a different life,” McKinley said. “The oil and gas business was 24/7/365. Pantex gave me time to be with my family. I love that about this place. You can’t buy time back later, and they understand that.”

After graduating from law school, White used his degree in the military as well as the civilian sectors, more specifically at the Idaho National Laboratory, where he worked on the federal side. In 2024, Pantex offered him a job and he made his way to West Texas.

“I feel like I had done everything I had set out to do in the federal civilian service and wanted to experience the contractor side,” White said. “It was time for a new challenge and I found it. I also found some amazing people. They take the mission seriously here and that’s infectious.”

White and McKinley bring their experience and expertise daily to impact mission success. While they are proud of that, there’s still a draw to the military. Benefits are quite the lure, but there’s also another pull, one that runs deeper than deductibles and tuition assistance.

“I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve been in the military longer than I haven’t,” White said. “I find it hard to imagine not serving. I have a couple of remaining goals including retirement.”

“The reasons I stay has changed over the years,” McKinley said. “At first, it was to serve my country and provide for my family. It evolved into wanting to double down on benefits, then into an uncontrollable addiction to stay part of the organization and fulfill a retirement.”

White, McKinley, and many other Pantexans work day-to-day to meet goals in both their military careers and the Pantex mission. When duty calls, however, they will gear up and set out to protect friends, family, and their nation. We can’t be land of the free without being the home of the brave. Take time on Armed Forces Day to honor those who continue to serve their country.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like John Neusch 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.

During World War II, Arnold Neusch was set to be part of the initial diversionary invasion of Japan named Operation Downfall. Scheduled to begin in November 1945, it would have been the largest and presumably deadliest water-based invasion in history. In August of that year, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrendered shortly after and the Allies cancelled Operation Downfall.

After the war, Neusch married and returned to farming, however, tough times forced him to turn to a different career. Although Pantex was not affiliated with the atomic bomb drops in Japan, Neusch felt a deeply personal association with the plant’s mission. Soon after, he started work there. His son, John, later followed in his father’s footsteps.

John serves as a System Administrator Advisor within Information Technology, and every day his job reinforces his passion for nuclear deterrence. It also serves as a personal reminder of what might – or might not – have been. However, those thoughts and his passion for the mission further fuel another feeling: pride.

“Only a very small group will ever be able to say they work at Pantex,” Neusch said. “That group has made an enormous impact for the country and world. And for me, I take pride in continuous improvement like discovering new ways to build technological resilience and minimizing downtime which, in turn, provides system availability for other Pantexans to complete their jobs.”

Neusch works in the Data Center. He’s amazed at how much it has evolved over the years, including the downsized yet more powerful technology. He’ll take every opportunity to show the facility off to anyone who asks for a tour. Yet his work satisfaction and Pantexan pride circles back to why he (and his father) decided to apply for a job at the plant in the first place.

“Identifying with our mission,” Neusch said. “Our lives aren’t on the line every day like the military, but in our own way we do serve our country, and I appreciate that. Each one of us has our own unique duty, but all of our organizations are interconnected. Like the butterfly effect, what we do influences another job and that influences the mission. That should be our focus.”

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My dad. He came from very humble beginnings and survived the Great Depression and World War II. He played hard, worked hard, and prayed hard. Dad always maintained a positive attitude and strong faith in God.

Why are communications important for all Pantex employees?
We need to be able to effectively communicate our needs and any occurring issues. The more we explain what is happening and discuss solutions, then we can resolve these problems much more smoothly.

What is the top communications tool you rely on in your daily work?
Teams, meetings, and email. When I first started working at Pantex 37 years ago, we didn’t have email. Instead, we did interoffice memos – mail delivered twice a day to mail stops around the plant. Microsoft Office absorbed much of that.

How can communications make (or break) a task?
During transition, we gave PanTeXas Deterrence the Clint Eastwood tour of the Data Center – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We showed them things that were going well and also what needed to be fixed or improved, and we communicated the importance of those needs.

Mother’s Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate than to honor three Pantexan moms who get to share the value of mission success with their children?

Meet Mama Ginger
General Facilities Specialist Ginger Ball has been a proud Pantexan for six years. Ginger is thankful for her job every day, and a contributing factor to why she loves her job so much is because she gets to share her workplace with her son, Nick Ball; her daughter, Chassie Germany; and her son-in-law, Robert Germany. Admittedly, one of Ginger’s favorite things is when someone stops by her office to tell her what good kids she has. For Ginger, the mother-child dynamic has only been strengthened by working with her kids.

When reminiscing about her mom, Chassie thinks about how often her kids remind her how quickly she is turning into their Mema. “The way I cook, my jokes, my driving — the list goes on, ” Chassie said. For Nick, it’s the Saturday morning cleaning sessions. “I find myself doing room inspections just like she did with us when we were growing up,” Nick joked.

“Some people might be worried about working with their mother-in-law, but I was excited at the chance to work with Ginger; she is a take-charge type of woman who is always willing to help,” Robert said.

Chassie doesn’t have the privilege of eating lunch with her mom often, but when she does she usually spends it laughing with her mom and brother. Nick confessed that getting to eat lunch with his mom more frequently has caused a sibling rivalry because, “you know, being the ‘favorite’ child and all.” He says that one of his favorite things about working with his mom is laughing with her every day and the free lunches she packs.

When asked what this family would share about Ginger, the kindness overflowed. Chassie stated her mom is the most selfless person you will ever meet and anyone who gets to meet her is blessed because she is sure to brighten their day. Robert promises Ginger is the kindest soul you will ever have the privilege to meet. And Nick said his mom is devoted to her family, loves Jesus with all her heart, and without a doubt is the hardest worker he knows.

Alongside two other siblings, Chassie and Nick have blessed their mom with 15 grandchildren, filling Ginger’s weekends with extracurricular activities and being her grandkids’ biggest fan.

Collectively, this family has given Pantex 30 years of service. “Pantex has blessed my kids in many ways. Each one has grown with confidence and character that I am very proud of,” Ginger said. “They are wonderful parents and leaders in our community and they are kind, caring, and love God and their mom very much.”

Meet Mama Christy
The universe gifted Training Specialist Christy Gooch with her very own mini-me in the form of her daughter and fellow Pantexan, Sarah Gooch. Christy says she and Sarah share everything and are very similar in a lot of ways — so many of their hobbies and likes align in some way. “A lot of my mannerisms come straight from my mom. She is very crafty and creative, so every time I try a new skill, I have that moment where I feel just like her,” Sarah said.

For some, working with mom could be an added stress to their day, but Christy and Sarah have nothing but genuine pride when speaking about one another.

“I get to see my best friend so much more often. It always makes me smile even just seeing her in passing,” Sarah said. For Christy, she’s just glad to have her daughter close after her move back to Amarillo and to be able to witness Sarah thrive. “Although she is still so young, she has succeeded over and over again, and it never ceases to amaze me,” Christy said.

Having mission success as a shared interest has only reinforced their bond. In a lot of ways, the shared language and pride in their work at Pantex has built a stronger sense of understanding between Sarah and Christy.

When co-workers find out who Sarah’s mom is, they are quick to tell Sarah how much she looks like Christy or how lucky she is to have such cool parents. But if you ask Christy, she’s the lucky one. “Sarah is the most caring, intelligent weirdo you will ever meet and I hope that everyone gets a chance to know her,” Christy said.

Sarah reflects on what a blessing her mom is to everyone she meets — and for those who don’t know her, she tells them how extraordinary a person she is, and she’s even cooler as a mom.

Meet Mama Jennifer
Upon entering motherhood, most moms are hopeful their children are fully functioning, kind, contributing members of society. For Procurement Representative Jennifer Hudson, she was lucky enough to also get a best friend out of motherhood. Jennifer and daughter Randi Walker, both in the early years of their Pantex career, are looking forward to their move to the Pantex Amarillo Campus (PAC) to ensure they have at least one work lunch together throughout the week.

The proud mom of two believes without a doubt that she was put on this earth to be her kids’ mom. Jennifer boasts that raising Randi and her brother has been the absolute greatest accomplishment and privilege of her life.

“My momma heart swells with such joy and pride when they call or come home to be with us just because they want to be with us,” Jennifer said.

Not a day goes by that Randi doesn’t stop and think, “oh gosh, I’m turning into my mother.” Whether it be cleaning house, going to the gym, or talking to her four-year-old, she finds herself reflecting on her childhood and what it was like to have Jennifer as a mom.

Randi has a deep admiration for her mom and her newfound career at Pantex. “She transitioned in her career later in life and I know that jump took a lot of courage and dedication; it’s been so cool to watch her succeed,” Randi said.

“If I don’t get to hear Randi’s voice at least once a day, there is a hole in my day,” Jennifer said. “I love logging into my computer each morning and seeing her status on Teams. It’s my secret way of being able to check on her, and as a mom this soothes my soul.”

When asked what Pantexans should know about one another, mother and daughter had similar answers.

“Never underestimate my mom. No matter where she’s at or what she’s doing, she’s giving it her all,” Randi said.

“Randi gives 100% all the time to whatever task is in front of her,” Jennifer said. It is clear that Randi feeling more and more like her mom is more than a sentiment. With the hard work ethic that is being passed down in this duo, Pantex is lucky to have them.

Safety, grilling, and community involvement are all things the Pantex Fire Department take seriously. Members grill at local events throughout the year to show people that Pantex is part of the community and to build trust and rapport. Battalion Fire Chief Jeremy Baker says he always puts safety first while representing the site grilling food at events.

“This past year our team cooked in the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Good Times BBQ Cook-Off and the Together We Can Food Drive kickoff,” Baker said. “It’s good to do these events because it allows us to serve as ambassadors for Pantex. Our team does a great job at cooking brisket, steaks, and pulled pork, but ribs are usually the first thing that we run out of.”

Preparation is the easiest way to ensure safety when cooking out in the community or at home. Before firing up the grill, ensure it is not placed under a patio roof, has adequate clearance from structures, and has good ventilation. Baker notes it’s also important to properly maintain your appliances.

“The grill should be cleaned regularly to ensure a buildup of grease does not lead to a fire,” Baker said. “Grease often becomes aerosolized when cooking and can cause a buildup on the walls of a house if there is not at least a 10-foot space between the grill and the house. This grease buildup can ignite. It’s important that you inspect your fire extinguisher and grill prior to each grilling session.”

The National Fire Protection Association says an average of 22,155 patients per year go to the emergency room because of injuries involving grills. Safety & Industrial Hygiene Specialist Whitney Adams says safety outside of work is just as important as safety on site because, regardless of where you’re injured, it can impact your entire life.

“From the ability to spend time with your family, take care of yourself and your family, how you’re able to perform your job, or even your ability to come to work,” Adams said. “Statistically, people are more likely to be injured at home with one of the most common injuries being burns.”

Adams explains that burns or injuries from unsafe grilling at home can affect your job by potentially causing missed work due to the injury, temporary or permanent physical impairments that interfere with the ability to perform job tasks, and stamina to perform the same tasks as before the injury.

Before you fire up your grill, put precautions into place to keep yourself and others safe. Chief Baker shares tips:

• Check the gas tank on propane grills for leaks before using it for the first time this season. You can do this by applying soapy water from a spray bottle, applied from the connection at the tank along the hose to the connection at the grill. Then, turn on the tank and watch for bubbles to form
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease buildup from the grates and in trays below the grill
• Place the grill well away from your home, deck railings, and out from under eves and overhanging branches
• Always make sure the lid is open before lighting the grill
• If you choose to use starter fluid while charcoal grilling, only use charcoal lighter fluid. Do not add lighter fluid after the fire is lit. When you finish grilling, let the coals cool completely and place them in a metal container with a lid
• Never leave the grill unattended and keep children and pets at least three feet away from the cooking area

If there is a fire, try not to panic. Get a fire extinguisher and try to quickly extinguish the fire. If you are unable to extinguish the fire, make sure everyone is out of affected houses or nearby structures and call 9-1-1.

Grilling is a great way to make delicious food, spend time outdoors, and build community. Put safety first to prevent fires and make grilling a positive experience for everyone involved.

Lance Hansen is honored on stage during the Purdue Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Engineering Technical Operations Senior Director Lance Hansen has been honored with the 2025 Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award from the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Purdue University.

Hansen is an accomplished senior leader with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in both civilian and military roles. He was selected in recognition of his outstanding career achievements and exceptional contributions to the profession.

“This is quite an honor, and a humbling one at that,” Hansen said. “I was a graduate student at Purdue in the early years of this award, and sometimes wondered how folks made their way through the profession to such recognition. I learned later there are many, many ways to have impact. My journey is just another one of those ways. I am happy to be considered a worthy addition to this cohort of Purdue professionals.”

Hansen graduated from Purdue with his Master of Science and Engineering in 1996 and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering in 2002. Purdue provided Hansen the opportunity to focus on STEM and tie in important lessons in the humanities from his undergraduate at the United States Military Academy, which he attributes to molding his leadership style.

Hansen was presented the award during a ceremony at the university in West Lafayette, Indiana in April. He shared wisdom gleaned from his vast experience with current Purdue students, detailing his career story and offering guidance as they embark on their own engineering journeys.

“Engineering is a discipline that solves problems and creates foundations,” Hansen said. “There are a lot of problems to be solved and future foundations to establish. Some are physical, some are fiscal, some are philosophical, some are truly existential. The principles of engineering are not unlike the principles of logic or the principles of physics. Learn to leverage technical expertise with existential expertise of the humanities and physics. This is where originality and true discovery occurs. This is where the greatest impact on others will then manifest.”

Hansen joined the Pantex Engineering team in September 2024. As the Senior Director of Engineering Technical Operation, he leads a team focused on workforce assurance initiatives, spearheads business interface projects to improve internal communication within the division, and manages acquisition processes to increase operational efficiency.

This award showcases Pantex’s commitment to recruit and retain innovative leaders such as Hansen to the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Hansen says he is proud of the contributions he has made thus far, and encourages others to look to the future.

“Always keep learning and challenging yourself to think differently,” Hansen said. “Do what you love to do—be kind and thoughtful with others who love to do other things. They can be your greatest colleagues and advocates in the future.”