Press Releases

AMARILLO, Texas – Thirteen Consolidated Nuclear Security project teams representing more than 570 employees were recognized recently by the National Nuclear Security Administration for their work supporting the national security missions of the Pantex Plant and Y-12 National Security Complex.

In presentations at Pantex and Y-12, the teams were each recognized with a 2018 NNSA Defense Programs Award of Excellence. The awards were established in 1982 to recognize individual and team accomplishments from across the nuclear weapons complex in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons program.

Four of the teams were based at Pantex, and nine were based at Y-12.

“It’s really important that we get out, and we see the work this complex can do. Here at Pantex, it’s nothing short of amazing,” NNSA Acting Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Management John Evans told employees at Pantex. “That plaque on the wall that all roads come to Pantex, that’s true. The important thing though is the capabilities that are embodied in you all allow for the weapons to go out of Pantex. Without your expertise and dedication and devotion to your jobs, those weapons don’t go out of Pantex. They don’t come back for repairs, and they don’t leave in a way that they can be part of the deterrent.”

NNSA Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Management Dr. Mark Suriano congratulated Y-12 employees in a similar ceremony at Y-12.

“Dr. [Charles] Verdon and the Defense Programs leadership understand the value and impact from all of the personnel at Y-12 as you execute our national security mission. We know the teams we recognize today are representative of the quality, productivity, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Going through the accomplishments of your award winners is awe inspiring. The innovation and forward thinking has helped the Nuclear Security Enterprise to be better postured for the current modernization of our entire stockpile.”

The projects recognized are listed below:

Pantex

• B61-12 Pit Requalification First Production Unit
• CoLOSSIS II Startup
• Joint NA-10/NA-22 Warhead Measurement Campaign: B61, B83, W76 Measurements
• Quality Evaluation Requirements Tracking System Record of Assembly Verification

Y-12

• Enriched Uranium Strategic Material Model Deployment
• Environmental Room Control Upgrades
• Modulated Tool Path Development & Integration
• Down-Blend Offering for Tritium Program Development
• B61-12 CSA FPU Early Delivery
• 50 + 10 Study
• B83 Dismantlement Equipment Maintenance and Schedule Recovery
• Deployment of Production Capabilities
• Lithium Chemical Specification Change

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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
Ashlee Estlack
Communications
Office (806) 573.0503
Ashlee.Estlack@pantex.doe.gov

AMARILLO, Texas- The recent Hispanic Heritage Luncheon was the scene for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s announcement for its 2019 award winners. They include the Man and Woman of the Year, Young Rising Star, and Business Community Service.

Pantex’s Milton Guerrero, a nuclear procurement engineer, was named 2019 Hispanic Man of the Year. His role in the Pantex Outreach and Leadership Organization (POLO) leadership, and work in the community are what Milton believes lead to his nomination by friends and co-workers.

“When I got the phone call and was notified that I was nominated and won the award I was surprised. It was something I truly did not expect to win. It was a little bit of everything that I do that got me nominated. From volunteering with POLO at different events, to my overall involvement in the community, along with trying to be a solid resource/co-worker for those here at work.”

Milton added that he grew up in the area, the very neighborhood where the Wesley Community Center is located, and where the luncheon was held. He says he is both honored and humbled by the recognition.

“The award is what I consider a great honor and a milestone. More importantly, it was an opportunity to meet with other community leaders and see where there is a need for people, such as myself, to help out. I feel that it is important for professionals to take an interest in speaking with students about their future career paths and we can’t forget that the youth in our community are our future leaders.

Other winners include Helen Burton as 2019 Woman of the Year, Amarillo High School senior Oscar Elizondo garnered the Rising Star award, and Tyson Foods received the award for Business Community Service.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct an emergency exercise on October 9. 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 October 8 or after October 9, please report your observations to 477-5000.

AMARILLO, Texas – A major maintenance and repair project has just begun at Pantex, with road construction that will focus on resurfacing almost 19 miles of roads at Pantex, along with 29,000 square feet of parking lots.

Work will take place across almost every area at the plant. An average of 25 semi-trucks loads a day will carry 58,000 tons of road materials over the course of the project.

Besides the scale of the project, what makes this project unique is the use of the Pantex Mentor-Protégé program, the first of its kind at Pantex for CNS, which operates the plant for The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The program seeks to foster long-term business relationships between small, disadvantaged business entities and DOE prime contractors, and to increase the overall number of small businesses that receive DOE prime and subcontracts.

SAMES (Saul and Samuel Maldonado Engineering and Surveying) out of McAllen, with more than 300 federal projects already completed, will support the Pantex mission by providing surveying and engineering expertise, and in turn, CNS will offer guidance on business management and development.

Michelle Reichert, CNS chief operating officer said, “We value small businesses; partnering with them is essential for us to accomplish our important mission for the nation. I’m excited to see how this relationship will further our infrastructure revitalization efforts.”

“This agreement is mutually beneficial,” said Ryan Johnston, who manages the CNS small business program at Pantex. “SAMES will provide the unique surveying and engineering expertise we need, while gaining the skills necessary to compete for larger DOE subcontracts.”

When possible, resurfacing of the roads and parking lots will take place during the weekend to reduce disruptions for employees. The project is expected to be finished in October of this year.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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

AMARILLO, Texas – Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, has expanded its Fellows Program, adding two employees to its group of technical experts. The additions to the program include one employee from each CNS site: the Pantex Plant’s Neil Koone and the Y-12 National Security Complex’s John Prazniak.

Koone was chosen as a new Electromagnetics Fellow, while Prazniak is a Uranium Fellow; he replaces Glenn Pfennigworth, who retired.

The addition of Koone and Prazniak brings the number of CNS fellows to five. The program recognizes technical staff members who have achieved status as a national or international expert in their field. Each fellow serves a renewable two-year term acting as the technical expert in their competency area and will be a mentor to other staff.

The program began in fiscal year 2017, offering highly qualified CNS engineers and scientists the opportunity to focus on future technologies. The program allows the fellows to pursue greater professional growth while helping to ensure CNS’s technical success by focusing on visionary and transformative technologies.

The fellows are chosen by a committee comprising leaders from across CNS. Fellowships are available in each of the CNS core competencies: metallurgy, uranium chemistry, lithium/special nuclear material, explosives, advanced manufacturing, component analysis/surveillance, electromagnetic effects, and nonproliferation.

Koone has more than 17 years of experience at Pantex. He began his career as a physics professor in the University System of Georgia and also taught at the University of Texas at Tyler and worked at Bell Helicopter-Textron Inc. His main focus at Pantex is in lightning protection.

Prazniak is currently supporting the deployment of uranium purification methods through electrorefining and has worked on uranium processing in Oak Ridge for 40 years, first at the Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant. He came to Y-12 in 1985 and helped restart Y-12’s enriched uranium recovery system.

Lorelei Woods (Pantex Component Analysis/Surveillance), Vincent Lamberti (Y-12 Component Analysis/Surveillance), and Alan Moore (Metallurgy) were selected in 2017 and are serving the second year of their fellowships. They may apply to have their terms extended.

“The enduring success of our sites relies on our ability to enhance technology and innovation, specifically in our core capabilities, and the CNS Fellows Program will ensure we remain a leader in technology innovation,” CNS Fellows Program Manager Ashley Stowe said.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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

AMARILLO, Texas – Nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle will be better able to expand or continue their missions thanks to grants from Consolidated Nuclear Security’s (CNS) Pantex Community Investment Fund, administered by the Amarillo Area Foundation.

CNS, which manages the Pantex for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, created an advisory committee to determine distribution of the funds. The committee prioritized the submissions from organizations located and operating in the 12 contiguous counties surrounding Pantex, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall and Swisher.

Including the latest round of grants, CNS has donated more than $745,000 to area non-profit organizations since 2016 through the Amarillo Area Foundation.

“Our relationship with the Amarillo Area Foundation has enabled our employees to engage in the grant process in such an effective way,” said Jason Bohne, CNS Communications and Public Affairs director. “As a company, we’re happy to partner with community organizations for the betterment of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle—where our employees work, live, and give.”

The advisory committee selected grantee organizations based on the following funding preferences and priorities: Basic Needs, Child and Family Development, Education, Community Development, Financial Literacy, and Health and Wellness.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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

AMARILLO, Texas – Having completed more than 300 federal projects, Brothers Saul and Samuel Maldonado of SAM Engineering & Surveying, Inc. (SAMES) in McAllen, Texas, are no strangers to federal contract work, and were eager to join the ranks of Department of Energy (DOE) subcontractors within the nation’s Nuclear Security Enterprise.

The Texas-based, minority-owned, small business will get that opportunity as part of the Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) Mentor-Protégé Program at the Pantex Plant.

The Mentor-Protégé agreement with SAMES is the first of its kind at Pantex for CNS, which operates the plant for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS signed a similar agreement in March at the Y-12 National Security Complex with Hatfield Construction.

Michelle Reichert, CNS chief operating officer said, “We value small businesses. Partnering with them is essential for us to accomplish our important mission for the nation. I’m excited to see how this relationship will further our infrastructure revitalization efforts.”

As the Protégé, SAMES will support the Pantex mission by providing surveying and engineering expertise, and in turn, CNS will offer guidance on business management and development. In fact, SAMES will get right to work surveying and refurbishing some 56 miles of roads on the plant site this summer.

“This agreement is mutually beneficial,” said Ryan Johnston, who manages the CNS small business program at Pantex. “SAMES will provide the unique surveying and engineering expertise we need, while gaining the skills necessary to compete for larger DOE subcontracts.”

DOE Mentor-Protégé Programs seek to foster long-term business relationships between small, disadvantaged business entities and DOE prime contractors, and to increase the overall number of small businesses that receive DOE prime and subcontracts.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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
Allison Roberts
Communications
Office (806) 573-6065
Allison.Roberts@cns.doe.gov

Amarillo, Texas—Emergency response personnel from the National Nuclear Security Administration and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) will host a large-scale, multi-agency emergency management exercise April 24 through April 29 at the Pantex Plant involving approximately 1,000 participants.

During this exercise, people in the vicinity of Pantex may observe personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise.

This event is part of emergency exercises conducted on a regular basis by the U.S. Department of Energy Pantex Plant. These exercises confirm the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and ensure that the public, Pantex employees and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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) 573-6032
Stephen.Myers@cns.doe.gov

AMARILLO, Texas – Nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle will be better able to expand or continue their missions thanks to grants from Consolidated Nuclear Security’s (CNS) Pantex Community Investment Fund, administered by the Amarillo Area Foundation.

CNS, which manages the Pantex Plant for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, created an advisory committee to determine distribution of the funds. The committee will prioritize the submissions from organizations located and operating in the 12 contiguous counties surrounding Pantex, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall and Swisher. Applications for the next round of giving are due by April 26, 2019 by 12:00 noon.

With grants from 2019, CNS will have donated more than $745,000 to area non-profit organizations since 2015 through the Amarillo Area Foundation.

“We value our opportunity to invest in organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in Amarillo and across the Panhandle,” said Jason Bohne, CNS Senior Director of Communications. “The engagement of Pantex employees, in collaboration with the Amarillo Area Foundation, has led to meaningful giving that is making a difference.”

The advisory committee selected grantee organizations based on the following funding preferences and priorities: Basic Needs, Child and Family Development, Education, Community Development, Financial Literacy, and Health and Wellness.

See www.amarilloareafoundation.org/application-2016 for instructions on how to register in the Spectrum portal. If you have any questions, please contact grant staff at 806.376.4521 or grants@aaf-hf.org.

The anticipated timeline is: Applications submitted by noon on April 26. In early June, organizations will be notified if they are moving forward through the grant process. By mid-June, finalists will make their presentations to the committee and the recipients announced in early July.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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) 573-6032
Stephen.Myers@cns.doe.gov

AMARILLO, Texas – Amarillo’s women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM fields, celebrated Engineering Week by encouraging the next generation at “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” at the Region 16 Education Service Center today.

Hundreds of high school girls from area schools took part in interactive presentation booths designed to encourage their interest in engineering and other technical fields. Currently, less than 20% of students enrolled in engineering degree program are women, yet more women are now pursuing college degrees than men.

Conferences like this help spark interest in STEM courses among young women, outlining the possibilities in the engineering fields. The jobs can literally take someone from jobs around the globe to Disney World.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Pantex Women in Nuclear, and Pantex Outreach and Leadership Organization are proud to host the conference in partnership with Bell, Excel, West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.

This morning’s conference was held this morning at the Region 16 Education Service Center with students meeting up with host professionals to inspire them to consider STEM curriculum in their future career choices.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency.

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