Bill Tindal Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Y-12 donates $8,500 for Scarboro graduates, honoring Oak Ridge 85

Posted at 6:37 pm June 14, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

*Dorothy Kirk Lewis and L.C. Gipson, members of the Oak Ridge 85, hold the check representing the $8,500 donation from Consolidated Nuclear Security given in their honor. (Photo courtesy CNS/Y-12)*

At the conclusion of a school year during which Oak Ridge commemorated the 65th anniversary of the integration of Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High, the Scarboro Alumni Association received an $8,500 donation for their scholarship endowment.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, the managing and operating contractor of Y-12 National Security Complex made the donation at the Scarboro Community Center on May 26 in honor of the 85 Black students who integrated Oak Ridge schools in 1955, a press release said. The endowment provides scholarships to selected high school seniors who have an association with the Scarboro community and who choose to continue their education.

Little-known history

The Oak Ridge 85, as they are known, consisted of 85 students who integrated Robertsville Junior High and Oak Ridge High School on September 6, 1955. They were the first students to integrate a public school in the southeastern United States, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Tennessee Valley Corridor shifts to online events this summer

Posted at 9:10 am May 28, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Valley Corridor will shift its Annual Summit and 25th anniversary celebration to a series of online events this summer.

The change, which was announced this month, is being made as large summer conferences and gatherings remain in doubt because of social distancing recommendations from public health officials, a press release said.

The Annual Summit had been scheduled for July 15-16 at Milligan College in Johnson City.

But the Tennessee Valley Corridor will instead have people participate in a series of weekly Summit sessions for five consecutive weeks starting Thursday, July 16. Each session will highlight many of the same speakers, topics, and organizations, but the new virtual format aims to maximize participation during the continued COVID-19 crisis, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex give more than $1 million to United Way

Posted at 1:42 pm February 13, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Contributions to the United Way from the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, topped $1 million in 2018. The donations were collected from employees and retirees, according to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the two sites.

The sites engaged in year-long campaigns to generate money for the United Way, raising funds through silent auctions and various jewelry, book, and food sales at the sites as well as employee contributions, CNS said in a press release. A $150,000 donation from the parent companies of CNS was also included in the total.

“One of the best ways to help our local communities is through the United Way,” Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said. “Y-12 and East Tennessee are special places because of the commitment of our employees to giving back to our neighbors.” [Read more…]

Y-12 finishes first production unit for B61-12 bomb

Posted at 5:43 pm January 21, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Employees at Y-12 National Security Complex recently completed the first production unit of the B61-12. This refurbishment will extend the life of this strategic weapon for 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Note: This story was last updated at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 22.

Canned subassembly certified four months ahead of schedule

The Y-12 National Security Complex on Monday said it has completed a major milestone in efforts to refurbish components for a strategic nuclear weapons system that is vital to the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

The first production unit for a bomb called the B61-12 was certified at Y-12 on December 6, 2018.

The work is part of the B61 Life Extension Program, or LEP. The B61 is a nuclear bomb that can be carried on several types of military aircraft. The B61 LEP will extend the life of this strategic weapon for 20 years, said Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates Y-12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

B61 bombs are the oldest nuclear weapons in the nation’s active stockpile. They have been in service almost 50 years, and critical components of the bombs are reaching the end of their operational lives. The B61 was first “fielded” in 1968, and current modifications were fielded between 1979 and 1991, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. [Read more…]

Y-12 approved for B61-12 weapons work

Posted at 11:14 am October 21, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on the B61-12 nuclear bomb.

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge has been approved to produce a major component of a nuclear bomb known as the B61-12.

The approval was the final step to authorize the manufacturing and delivery of the first production unit of a component called the canned subassembly. It’s scheduled for March 2019, according to Y-12. A canned subassembly is the second stage of a modern thermonuclear weapon, and it is part of the nuclear explosives package.

The Y-12 work is part of the B61-12 Life Extension Program, which will consolidate four versions of the bomb into one. The bombs could be carried on B-2A bomber aircraft and F-15Es, several types of F-16s, and PA-200 fighters, and in the future, F-35s and B-21s.

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Y-12, Pantex donate $1.1 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at 8:42 am February 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge totaled about $1.1 million.

The contributions were announced last week by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that manages and operates the two sites. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, CNS said in a press release.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total, CNS said. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers, the press release said. [Read more…]

CNS announces employee-directed community grants

Posted at 4:37 pm March 19, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund has been awarded to Oak Ridge Schools to provide additional opportunities for at-risk students to engage in reading instruction. (Photo by Y-12)

$125,000 invested in local nonprofits across East Tennessee

Twenty-nine nonprofits from across East Tennessee have received a total of $125,000 in grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, or CNS, Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The recipients were announced this month at a reception at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex.

The CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, and it was created in 2014 by CNS. CNS manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, where a similar fund is managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, a press release said.

At Y-12, a committee made up of CNS employees reviewed dozens of grant proposals, conducted staff interviews, and made site visits before recommending funding based on the committee’s four focus areas: education, senior citizens, veterans, and youth. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.2 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at 5:08 pm February 9, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

United Way contributions at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, totaled roughly $1.2 million, Consolidated Nuclear Security, the managing and operating contractor, announced Thursday. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, a press release said.

The campaigns also added more than 500 Leadership Givers, who have pledged to donate $1,000 or more. Corporate gifts of some $155,000 also added to the total. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items, the press release said. [Read more…]

CNS presents small business awards

Posted at 8:20 pm November 2, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Dubose National Energy Services Inc. was recently recognized as a small business of the year by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC. Shown in the photo are CNS Supply Chain Manager Skip Skelton, CNS Vice President and Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal DNES Vice President and General Manager Richard Rogers, DNES Senior Sales Representative Garry Snyder, CNS Subcontract Administrator Tish Camp, CNS Vice President of Mission Assurance Linda Bauer, CNS Program Manager for Socioeconomic Programs Lisa Copeland, and CNS Vice President of Operations Support Darrell Graddy. (Photo by CNS Y-12)

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC presented small business awards on Friday, September 30, at the weekly meeting of the East Tennessee Economic Council. The companies recognized included DuBose National Energy Services Inc., GEM Technologies Inc., and Scientific Sales Inc. CNS employees Sam Easterling and Terry Lewis were also recognized as Small Business Advocates of the Year.

In his opening remarks, CNS Vice President and Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal stressed that company relies on small businesses as “part of a large tapestry that has to work together.” He summarized, “We’ve spent more than $160 million this year with more than 740 small businesses this fiscal year, including 250 Tennessee businesses, which includes 60 businesses in Anderson County.”

CNS Supply Chain Manager Skip Skelton explained that small businesses were evaluated based on their commitment to CNS’ four imperatives—safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised. He said, “The awards we’re giving out today reflect the four imperatives we expect our employees and our subcontractors to embrace as part of our focus on performance excellence.” [Read more…]

Y‑12 receives six NNSA Sustainability Awards

Posted at 11:30 pm May 22, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Y‑12 Waste Management’s proposed strategies for operations of the West End Treatment Facility (seen here) allowed processing of 718,000 gallons of production wastewater and eliminated generation of approximately 14,000 gallons of low-level radioactive waste sludge. (Photo courtesy Y-12)

Site’s efforts earn half of 2016 honors

The National Nuclear Security Administration recently recognized the Y‑12 National Security Complex with six 2016 Sustainability Awards.

“Y‑12 has a long history of being recognized for their environmental accomplishments, and this year was no exception as acknowledged by U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Lieutenant General Frank G. Klotz,” a press release said.

“I want to congratulate the winners of this year’s Sustainability Awards and recognize the team effort needed to implement environmentally responsible and sustainable operations and projects,” Klutz said. “NNSA will continue to build on these successes and pursue new and creative solutions as stewards of the environment and our enduring national security mission.” [Read more…]

CNS provides $180,000 in grants to 30 nonprofits

Posted at 2:17 pm May 5, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

CNS Y-12 Fierley and Boys & Girls Clubs Likens and Pettyjohn

Mike Fierley (center), CNS employee committee chair, poses with Ann Likens (left) and Jennifer Pettyjohn of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley at the recent grant recipient celebration.

Expanding the availability of school supplies for children in distressed areas. Providing door-to-door transportation to senior citizens who can’t get to medical providers. Pairing at-risk children with horses rescued from abuse. These are just a few examples of the outstanding work going on in East Tennessee and supported by the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC Y-12 Community Investment Fund.

The employee-directed fund provided grants totaling $180,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations in 10 East Tennessee counties. The fund is administered by the East Tennessee Foundation, or ETF, which issued a call for grant proposals in December. More than 70 East Tennessee nonprofits responded. The winning agencies were honored at a reception on May 4 at New Hope Center in Oak Ridge.

CNS is the managing contractor at Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. CNS began its partnership with ETF last year, organizing the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of Y-12 employees who reviewed applications and recommended grants to support nonprofit organizations with projects that addressed one or more of the committee’s four focus areas: education, senior citizens, veterans, and youth. [Read more…]