Pantex Proud: Terri Gutierrez
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Terri Gutierrez work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who she is, what she does, and why she is proud to be a Pantexan.
Terri Gutierrez has been roller-skating for so long her skates used to have wooden wheels. They were handed down from her mom who used them as a teenager. Gutierrez has since upgraded the wheels to modern racing wheels, but she relishes the memories made wearing her mother’s vintage set at the rink growing up.
“Roller skating puts a smile on my face as it takes me back to when I was in junior high and how fun it was with my friends,” Gutierrez said. “I used to save all of my money from birthdays and holidays for wheels and to go roller-skating.”
Gutierrez is as natural on eight wheels at the roller rink as she is on two feet performing her job at Pantex. As the administrative senior support for Communications, she’s the go-to for all support functions.
She contributes to the mission by assisting Communications with daily tasks, scheduling requests, monitoring trainings, ordering supplies, and putting out neighbor notifications of activities occurring plant-wide.
“Helping others is my favorite aspect of my work environment,” Gutierrez said. “As a mother takes care of her children, I feel as if I am taking care of my coworkers. If I can help my coworkers complete their daily tasks, it makes their job more successful in completing the mission.”
Gutierrez stays busy with work and family life but still makes time to skate when she can. Her job requires time working at a computer, so she roller-skates to move her body and stay active.
“Skating is good exercise with my life now, and exercise is much needed,” Gutierrez said. “If I could skate every week, I would.”
Why are communications important for all Pantex employees?
Communication is key to knowledge. With such a large workforce, we must get the accurate information out to employees. Inaccurate information shared can break a task. We must ensure the most accurate information is shared.
What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Breathe — we have all been in your shoes. It can be an overwhelming environment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Since my kids are older, I haven’t been able to sneak to the roller rink as often, but I love to crochet, knit, and sew. Being creative and seeing something from start to finish makes the activity exciting. With a teenager and her activities, my current outside activity is school basketball.
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My grandparents. They always said I could do anything if I really wanted to. They were hardworking people and I loved spending my school vacations at their house and working on the farm.
What advice do you offer someone who has made a mistake in his or her job? How should they be accountable for that issue?
Be honest! We ALL make mistakes. We are human.
What characteristics define a good leader to you?
A good leader is respectful to employees, upfront, and honest. Good leaders take the opportunity to get to know employees and listen to them.