Small-town company gets ready for the big league

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC President and CEO Morgan Smith (left) joins CEO Cindy Hatfield (front center) and employees of Hatfield Constructions after signing a mentor-protégé agreement.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—It may seem like a long road from soothing a patient to smoothing concrete, but it’s a transition that former nurse Cindy Hatfield has made successfully. Her company, Hatfield Construction, LLC is poised to obtain more tools for success through a mentor-protégé agreement with Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC.

CNS, which operates the Y-12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration in Oak Ridge, Tenn., is an active participant in the Department of Energy’s Mentor-Protégé Program. This program provides a mechanism for DOE/NNSA prime contractors like CNS to enter into working agreements and provide nonfinancial assistance to small businesses like Hatfield’s.

As CNS Small Business Program Manager Lisa Copeland explained, “Over the course of the agreement, personnel from CNS will mentor the concrete foundation and structure contractor in areas, such as project controls, proposal development and inspection and testing. We get to work with a great supplier, and they develop the processes and procedures that will make them more competitive for other contracts.”

Noting this agreement is the first for CNS, President and CEO Morgan Smith outlined his expectation that both companies would learn from each other. “As a large company, there’s a lot we can learn from small businesses,” he said.

Of the agreement, Hatfield, whose firm employs 20, said, “It’s a huge deal. It’s going to open some doors for us and allow us to take care of our employees.” She indicated she’s looking forward to learning how to work with Y 12 and compete for other contracts.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC President and CEO Morgan Smith recently signed a mentor-protégé agreement with Cindy Hatfield. CEO of Hatfield Construction. From left, Small Business Program Manager Lisa Copeland and mentors Bill Hevrdeys and Ken Thompson were also present.