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Congratulations to the following Wackenhut Services, Inc. - Nevada Test Site team members who were recently promoted: Cathy Bridenstine, Executive Assistant; Paul Prunier, ESS Planner; Gloria Sandoval, Curriculum Development Specialist; Ellen Sapini, ProForce Admin Support; Jeffrey Stobbe, Captain; and Tia Wirth, AOD Admin Support.
A group of Wackenhut Services Inc. - Savannah River Site (WSI-SRS) employees was lauded by the Department of Energy (DOE) recently for their efforts at an accident scene they encountered while en route to the site.
Thomas A. Boone, Jeffrey R. Stroda, Kirk Jackson, Judy M. Sweeny, Frederick J. Tymeson, Richard Hill, Jr. and David L. Williams, Jr. along with DOE employees were returning from a DOE event when a severe traffic accident occurred in front of their vehicle.
According to a letter from the Department of Energy Savannah River Operations Office to WSI-SRS General Manager Bud Isom:
"Risking their own lives, the WSI employees succeeded in removing the severely injured woman from her upside-down car, rendering first aid to other victims in the accident, and conducting traffic control until the local Emergency Medical Technicians, Fire Department and Richmond County Sheriff's personnel arrived on the scene. The potential for explosions, fire-fighting and serious multiple injury mitigation were the major concerns throughout their response efforts."
The letter goes on to say:
"This support documents the exceptional initiative by members of the WSI-SRS Transportation and Law Enforcement Departments. Their immediate disciplined response to assist the victims, provide humanitarian comfort and traffic control, exemplifies their heightened level of commitment to the community and reflects great credit upon themselves and the WSI-SRS Management Team."
Robert Booker, who led the sit-in movement to desegregate lunch counters and movie theaters in downtown Knoxville, spoke to Wackenhut Services, Inc. - Oak Ridge employees about the civil rights movement in East Tennessee during a recent Black History Month program at the site.
The Oak Ridger has a story on Mr. Booker's appearance at WSI.
Just read a fascinating story about a daring at sea medical call recently performed by two Space Gateway Support team paramedics.
The story, in the Feb. 15th issue of Missileer, details how the paramedics and their equipment were successfully transferred onto the USS Alexandria submarine to treat its Chief Petty Officer, who had suffered chest pains while the sub was on its way back to Trident Wharf.
Congratulations to paramedics Dan Robiataille and Michelle LaMoia on a job well done under challenging circumstances.
Space Gateway Support is a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Wackenhut Services, Inc. at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
Congratulations to the Wackenhut Services, Inc. Savannah River Site team on receiving the Pro Patria Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a U.S. Department of Defense Agency dedicated to gaining and maintaining active support from public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.
Each year one employer is honored at the state level for its support of employees who are members of the National Guard or military Reserves. Recipients of the award demonstrate support by adopting personnel policies that help employees serve as Guard members or reservists.
"We are fortunate to have many employees who currently serve or have served their country, and we're pleased to demonstrate our support to these American heroes," said James H. "Bud" Isom, Wackenhut Services General Manager at SRS.
He noted that approximately 70% of the WSI workforce at Savannah River is veterans.
The ESGR was formed in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
The Knoxville News Sentinel recently reported that Wackenhut Services, Inc.'s Oak Ridge team received a score of 94 out of 100 in the first evaluation of its new contract with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge office.
The article notes WSI's accomplishments during the evaluation period included "a successful force-on-force training exercise at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and negotiating new collective-bargaining agreement with guard unions."
Congratulations to Wackenhut Services, Inc.-Oak Ridge Senior Vice President and General Manager John Burleson.
John's been selected as Chairman of the Board, East Tennessee Regional Leadership Association (ETRLA), an organization comprised of community leaders from 16 East Tennessee counties.
The ETRLA provides a regional approach in addressing key issues in the region; promotes available resources that are actively working to improve the region; and creates a network of concerned leaders through which information can be effectively channeled to, and utilized by, leadership programs in the region.
John was recognized by the ETRLA in 2006 when he received the Robert Gonia Award for his community leadership in the region.
Roll Tide!
Congratulations to the Wackenhut Services, Inc. Savannah River Site team. They were honored as a "Business of Character" recently during a ceremony at the site. Central Savannah River Area Mayors Fred Cavanaugh (Aiken, SC), Deke Copenhaver (Augusta, GA), and Lark Jones (North Augusta, SC) commended WSI-SRS for its commitment to character.
Five years ago, WSI-SRS joined with local communities in emphasizing good character. Through the auspices of the National Character First Program, a company strategy was implemented that promoted good character through internal communication initiatives, employee recognition programs, and by hiring and promotion processes. WSI completed character education on all 49 character qualities associated with the program.
James H. "Bud" Isom, Wackenhut Services' General Manager at SRS, said, "Character emphasis has reinforced the company's core values and has strengthened our commitment to providing a workplace of respect and trustworthiness."
Congratulations to Brenda Curtis of Wackenhut Services, Inc.'s Oak Ridge Team. She was recently elected to the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, according to an article in yesterday's Oak Ridger.
Brenda is the director of Human Resources at WSI-Oak Ridge. She previously worked for WSI at the Savannah River Site. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Brenda is a mediator and member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the Tennessee Valley Human Resources Association, and the Oak Ridge Human Resources Association.
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has approximately 700 members.