Pantex Blog

Jason Armstrong and Kelly Beierschmitt giving an interview on the field before the game.

Hodgetown lit up with Pantexan pride on June 12 as the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, faced off against the San Antonio Missions as the feature event of Pantex Night. The state-of-the-art ballpark in downtown Amarillo welcomed 1,925 Pantexans and their families for a memorable evening of baseball.

The purpose of the evening was to provide Pantexans and their families a fun, affordable event that strengthened bonds outside the workplace.

Before the first pitch, Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong spoke about Pantex’s critical role in national security during an on-field interview.

“Pantex is a cornerstone of our nation's nuclear security mission,” Armstrong said. “Every day, the dedicated workforce of Pantex ensures the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile — an essential component of our national defense.”

Pantex President and General Manager Kelly Beierschmitt emphasized how events like STEAM Day at Hodgetown support Pantex’s mission and values. This event offers youth an opportunity to glance into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

“Ensuring the effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile is a generational duty,” Beierschmitt said. “Getting students interested in careers in STEAM ensures there are future Pantexans who will continue our mission in national security.”

Pantex General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Tyler White had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.

During the game, Mission Assurance Officer Colby Yeary participated in a radio interview. He said, Pantex uses its role as the region’s largest employer to positively impact the community.

“We encourage Pantexans to volunteer and we provide opportunities for them to give back to local communities,” Yeary said. “Pantexans live in and support the community, and we are proud to be Pantex Citizens.”

Pantex also provided tickets to several local nonprofit organizations, including the Maverick Boys and Girls Club of Amarillo, Amarillo Children’s Home, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, Another Chance House, Faith City Mission, Family Support Services, and the Downtown Women’s Center, reinforcing Pantex’s commitment to community engagement.

More than just a night at the ballpark, Pantex Night celebrated employees, community partnerships, and the plant’s enduring mission. It truly hit a home run.

If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities or representing Pantex in the community, please reach out to Public Affairs at Public_Affairs@pantex.doe.gov.

Pantex Field Office Deputy Assistant Manager for Nuclear Safety and Engineering Reid Copelin and Pantex Industrial Hygiene Operations Supervisor Topher Garrison pose.

Nine years, one month, seven days, four hours, and eleven minutes…that’s how long Reid Copelin and Topher Garrison say they have been friends…approximately.

Their friendship started when Reid took the time to introduce himself in the uncleared room when Topher started his job at Pantex. The building they both worked in at the time was called the “lighthouse”.

“Reid was off the first few days I was at the lighthouse,” Topher said. “When he got back from his time off, he introduced himself. We quickly became friends…probably in part because we both are a little mischievous and like making other people laugh.”

Reid is the Pantex Field Office deputy assistant manager for Nuclear Safety and Engineering and Topher is the Pantex Industrial Hygiene Operations supervisor. They work in different roles, but support the same mission. Networking in the uncleared room had a positive impact on both their professional and personal lives.

“It really is crazy the number of people from the uncleared room that I work with almost every day,” Reid said. “These are some of the closest friends that I have, too. It’s great to know people from across the plant. Our mission is so big and there’s so much to learn, so it’s always great to call up a friend that has an answer to your question. In the uncleared room, you really have the time to build these connections that you don’t really get the opportunity to do compared to when you are cleared and start work in your own department.”

Topher agreed saying, “I enjoy the relationships I have built with different people all over the plant. Having those relationships is great when it’s time to come together to get work done. They are even more important for the lasting friendships that have come out of them.”

In the case of Reid and Topher, hours in the uncleared room turned into days outside of work spent hunting, disc golfing, watching The Office together, and even founding an imaginary woodworking company.

“We hang out almost every day,” Reid said. “Our families have also gone on several trips together. We are always doing something together. We work on furniture or home remodeling projects for our friends and families. We jokingly call ourselves T&R Woodworking, and our motto is ‘amateur work at professional prices.’ Our wives even made us some “company” shirts for my birthday one year.”

Putting yourself out there and making connections helps to build knowledge of the site and promotes camaraderie.

“Why not take the opportunity to strike up a conversation and look for similar interests?” Topher said. “It may lead to a fake woodworking company, bathroom remodels, being their child’s godparents, and multiple vacations together!”

Time in the uncleared room created a lasting friendship, all because of the few minutes Reid took to welcome a new member to the Pantex team. Be a good Pantex Citizen. Introduce yourself to other Pantexans, educate them on your role, and continue the legacy of supporting our nation’s nuclear deterrence together. Five minutes could turn into nine years of friendship.