Consolidated Nuclear Security has more leadership changes

The company that manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, has announced two more leadership changes.

Effective Monday, Michelle Reichert became the deputy enterprise manager for Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, or CNS. She will report directly to CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith.

Todd Ailes is succeeding Reichert as the Pantex site manager.

Operating primarily out of CNS offices at Pantex, Reichert will share leadership responsibilities with Smith, focusing on communications with employees, customers, and other key stakeholders, a press release said. Reichert will also coordinate integration activities between the two sites to ensure they are aligned in the best interest of CNS and the NNSA.

“Michelle possesses a strong understanding of the operations and missions of Pantex and Y-12 after serving in senior management roles at both sites,” Smith said. “She will provide executive level leadership and integration across both sites while ensuring a greater executive presence at Pantex.”

Reichert has 28 years of experience in U.S. Department of Energy operations environments. Serving in leadership roles, her responsibilities have included manufacturing operations; environment, safety and health; safeguards and security; emergency management; waste management; and transportation.

At Pantex, in the roles of site manager and deputy general manager, Reichert oversaw daily operations to sustain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent. She also provided leadership in all aspects of plant operations involving nuclear weapons, plutonium pit storage, high explosives, engineering, safety, security, emergency management, facilities management, quality, environmental protection, and general administration.

Previously at Y-12, Reichert served as vice president of environment, safety, and health. She was the interpretive authority for environment, safety, and health; waste operations; human performance improvement; behavior-based safety; and integrated safety management. Also at Y-12, she managed enriched uranium metalworking, production, and manufacturing compliance, and she served as the program manager for modernization and as the operations manager of analytical chemistry.

Reichert has a bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from Viterbo University in Wisconsin and an master’s degree in radiological engineering/health physics from the University of Florida.

As Pantex site manager, Ailes on conducting the site’s mission in a safe, secure, and quality manner, the press release said. Pantex is responsible for nuclear weapons surveillance and life extension programs; nuclear weapons dismantlement; the development, testing, and fabrication of high explosive components; and the interim storage and surveillance of plutonium pits.

Since July 2014, Ailes has been the site’s deputy manager. He previously led the Pantex Manufacturing Division and the Pantex Quality and Performance Assurance Division.

Prior to joining Pantex, he was responsible for production scheduling and manufacturing operations of nuclear weapon components at the Kansas City Plant. He also has 12 years of naval nuclear power operational experience.

“Todd has demonstrated his effectiveness as the Pantex deputy site manager, and is well-known and respected by the Pantex workforce,” Smith said. “He possesses extensive experience with Pantex operations and is fully prepared to lead Pantex in its production mission.”

Smith was named CNS CEO last month replacing former CEO Jim Haynes, who took an assignment at the headquarters of Bechtel Corporation.

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