The Wackenhut Security Post

The Wackenhut Services Oak Ridge team demonstrated the newest weapon in its arsenal yesterday and the Knoxville News Sentinel has a story, photos and some video as well.

The weapon, the Dillon Aero Gatling Gun, can fire 3,000 rounds a minute of 7.08-millemeter ammunition.

"Every time we look at the Design Basis Threat (the government's intelligence report on terrorism) and see the adversary that may confront us, we look to see if we have the tools to defeat that adversary," Jim Rackstraw, WSI's director of training and emergency management told the News Sentinel.

WSI also unveiled its new indoor firing range at yesterday's event.

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Congratulations to Kenneth Newman who recently marked his 25-year anniversary as a Wackenhut Services employee at the Office of Secure Transportation!

Congratulations as well to Randall Bartlett, Cheryl Helms, William Hollenbeck, Walter Brown, Jack Cairns Sr., Michael Ezell and William Jarvis on their five-year anniversaries.

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The Beaufort Gazette has an interesting story today profiling Hilton Head, South Carolina firefighter Capt. Louis Poindexter. Capt. Poindexter is retiring after 26 years to join the Wackenhut Services, Inc. firefighting team in Iraq. He leaves today for training in Houston, Texas. Welcome!

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In addition to their work at some the nation's key Department of Energy sites, Wackenhut Services provides high quality security services at numerous facilities across the country.

The WSI Fire and Security Departments at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California are working to keep this vital national security asset safe and secure. A typical day for WSI can range from the Fire Department assisting an employee in a stalled elevator to the Security Police Officers responding to an impaired driver speeding through an access point. These WSI professionals calmly handle whatever challenges each day brings.

One day this past June, WSI Fire and Security personnel responded to reports of an unknown white powder on an envelope in the facility's mail room. The Fire Department responded and set up Hazardous Material operations while the Security Department secured the scene. Working with their JPL counterparts, WSI facilitated the response of a mobile LA County Sheriff Hazardous Material testing laboratory. This joint team was able to recover the suspect material, test it and declare the scene safe.

WSI professionals are working to keep our nation's vital assets safe and secure.

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Wackenhut Services Inc., Savannah River Site, was recently recognized by the Employer Support of Guard and Reserves (ESGR) for its support of employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.

In a ceremony at the site, James H. "Bud" Isom, WSI-SRS General Manager, signed the ESGR "5-Star" Statement of Support signifying the company's pledge to support its employees active in the National Guard and Reserve.

"We are proud to have employees who serve their country," said Isom.

The ESGR is a U.S. Department of Defense Agency dedicated to maintaining active support from public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.

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Congratulations to the following Wackenhut Services team members at the Nevada Test Site who recently achieved employee milestones:

Promotions to SPOIII, Jeremie Duda, Christopher Gonzalez and John Smith; promotions to SAS, Christopher Bartel, David Douthwright, Earnest Fields, Aaron Hite, Richard Martinez, Andrew Maunu, Thomas Poetain, Casey Sparks, and Lloyd Woods.

Fifteen-year service award, Trudy Rocha; five-year service award, John Hazuka.

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Congratulations to site manager John Howry and the Wackenhut Services team at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor on being named a Patriotic Employer by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)!

ESGR, an organization of civilian volunteers founded in 1972 and overseen by the Department of Defense, is dedicated to the support of the military and their employers. The group praised WSI for "contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's Guard and Reserve force."

The Patriotic Employer program recognizes employers for policies and practices that are supportive of their employees Guard and Reserve participation.

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Congratulations to Steve Gibbs of Wackenhut Services, Oak Ridge, who was recently named Deputy General Manager, Operations. In his new position, he directs all Protective Force activities at Oak Ridge.

Steve previously served WSI-OR as Director, Protective Forces Operations. He has 30 years of experience at Oak Ridge and spent 11 years as Chief of the Y-12 Protective Force. He's held numerous positions in the Protective Force, steadily moving up the ranks via his continued excellent performance.

Congratulations as well to the following recipients of recent management promotions at Oak Ridge:

Gary Brandon has been named Director of Protective Force Operations at the Y-12 National Security Complex. He previously served as Protective Force Manager, as well as Department Manager, Operations Officer, Sector Commander and Captain in the Y-12 Protective Force.

Bruce Hunter has been named Director, Protective Force Support Services and is responsible for logistical and planning support for the WSI-OR Protective Force. He previously served as Manager, Plans Section, and managed the Y-12 Protective Force, the Physical Security and Plans Section and K-25 Security Department.

Mary Jane White has been named Director, Oak Ridge Operations Protective Force. She is responsible for directing the Protective Force operations at East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Federal Building Complex, and previously served as Manager, Protective Force Administration.

Dave Fritz has been named Manager, Staff Support. His responsibilities include DOE manual implementation planning, external site support coordination and DOE required reporting. Dave previously served as Protective Force Operations Officer and Employee Training Coordinator.

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Congratulations to the following Wackenhut Services employees at the Nevada Test Site who received Awards of Distinction for the second quarter of 2007:

Professional/Techical, Aaron Kramer; Supervisor, Jeffrey Monty; Administrative, Christine Poeller; and SPOs, James Larosa, Michael Olson and Benjamin Yonamine.

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