Jim Haynes
Note: This is a copy of a March 20 transition update for employees at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. It’s posted on the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC transition website.
By Jim Haynes
It has been a very busy two weeks for the Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) transition team. We are proceeding full speed ahead. Among other activities last week, we had a very informative series of 36 briefings over three days with the incumbent Pantex and Y-12 management teams designed to help us better understand the current site organizations. Also, dozens of other meetings have been held at Pantex and Y-12.
I spent time at both sites last week, including a visit with Pantex Plant management at their Integrated Plan of the Day meeting. As I visit the sites, I more fully appreciate your professionalism and support—you truly are making a difference for our nation. I look forward to interacting with more of you over the coming weeks.
Over the last two weeks, I have also met with a significant number of community stakeholders in Amarillo and Oak Ridge, and will continue to do so as we introduce additional members of our leadership team and announce our plans. Our host communities are proud of your service, and proud to host the national assets that are Pantex and Y-12. We will continue to make them proud.
During my visits, I have been asked about our name, Consolidated Nuclear Security. I am happy to answer that question because we were very thoughtful in developing a name for our enterprise that accurately describes who we are and what we will do.
“Consolidated,” by definition, describes joining separate sites to create a unified, more efficient, more proficient enterprise. Our goal through consolidation is that we will be one team, better together! By working together, sharing lessons learned, and implementing best practices from both sites, we will further improve performance and eliminate waste. Doing so will create the capacity for future investments in the sites, ensuring sustainable futures for both Pantex and Y-12.
“Nuclear” is appropriate as the middle word, because it is central to what we do. There is no denying that maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent is the ultimate protector for the United States, and for the world. The employees of Pantex and Y-12 have long been true patriots in ensuring that the nuclear deterrent is a valid option—and by doing so, have made the world a safer place.
“Security” has multiple meanings that are applicable to our enterprise. There is the physical security that ensures critical national assets, Pantex and Y-12, are protected and able to perform their critical missions without interference. There is the mission that provides for national security, allowing Americans to enjoy the freedoms that have been earned through sweat, sacrifice, and blood. And finally, there is the security that we seek to earn for each of our sites—the security of sustainable, valued, enduring missions.
“Consolidated Nuclear Security,” as you can see, is a powerful combination that transcends an acronym or company logo. It is our purpose, and together we will achieve it.
Finally, let me tell you that I continue to be impressed by what I’ve seen and experienced over the last two weeks. I see you, the dedicated employees of Pantex and Y-12, working very hard to deliver your critical missions despite the distractions that a contract transition inevitably brings. My thanks to you for all you do—and will do—as we work through a successful transition.
Jim Haynes is president and chief executive officer of CNS, the new management and operating contractor at Y-12 and Pantex.
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