Y-12er spotlight: Chris Burns, SS&ES

After almost 30 years of military service and a stint at Pantex, Chris Burns is now ready to serve at Y-12. Photo by Matthew Harkins.

The Y‑12er spotlight details one of our own, Chris Burns, vice president of Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services. It takes all Y‑12 employees to make the mission happen successfully and safely. All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

Chris Burns is not new to Consolidated Nuclear Security. He was the senior director of Safeguards and Security at the Pantex Plant and has now moved from Texas to Tennessee to serve as vice president of Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services (SS&ES).

Prior to joining CNS, Burns served almost 30 years in the Army, retiring as a colonel. During his time in the military, he held various command and non‑command roles, including deputy Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army, director of Army Inspections, commander of both the 759th Military Police Battalion and 42nd Military Police Brigade, and director of emergency services for Joint Base Lewis‑McChord.

Despite his military experience, Burns said he didn’t know anything about DOE and NNSA. However, when he was preparing to retire, David Turner (vice president of Operations Support and a fellow Army retiree) suggested he look into the work at Pantex and Y‑12.
 
“When I read the duty description, I got really excited,” said Burns. “The facilities are central to the security of our nation.”

Burns understands that employees interacting with SS&ES may not be having their best day. #&8220;As a whole, we have to be at our best when we come to work every day; so, we’ll be at our best when you may be at your worst.”

What excites you about your new role?
I am most excited to have the opportunity to help shape the future of Y‑12. The site is evolving, and Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services (SS&ES) has to evolve as well. Change is hard for most, but working with true professionals here at Y‑12, especially in SS&ES, makes change a bit easier to swallow.

Share your history prior to joining CNS.
I served in the military for almost 30 years, with multiple combat tours between Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention a few other places, but my transition out of uniform and into civilian life was well supported by both the Army and CNS. My first 14 months as a civilian were spent as the senior director of Safeguards and Security at the Pantex Plant. It was a tremendous opportunity, and I learned a lot about the company, NNSA., and the DOE. For me, the mission and the people were a good fit!

What knowledge/history do you have of Y‑12?
When I was transitioning out of the military, I didn’t know anything about DOE/NNSA. What I did know was a bit about the Manhattan Project, but I didn’t know a piece of that history resided right here at Y‑12.

What top strength do you bring to your organization and why?
I think I bring calmness, along with a fresh set of eyes. I don’t get overly excited, which is a skill set I bring from the U.S. Army. You have to be that calm voice in the midst of crisis or problem‑solving. Having a fresh set of eyes allows me to see things from a different angle and allows me to provide potential solutions or recommendations that aren’t limited or constrained from being in the environment for an extended period of time.

What role do communications play in your job?
Communications play a critical role in how we communicate security changes or critical events. Often, people don’t want SS&ES around until they need us. Why? Because we are inconvenience and delays. We want to move from that reactive response model to a more proactive one that requires us to be a teach-and-train organization. That type of organization requires strong communications. We also want to interface better with our teammates and build more depth to our security programs. For example, take the division security officer program. The Y‑12 Division Security Officer (DSO) program is designed to ensure Safeguards and Security (with an emphasis on Information Security) is intricately entwined with each Y‑12 organization and its operational needs through a centralized representative or group of representatives. These organizational DSOs, in essence, become an extension of Safeguards and Security by providing each organization a conduit through which security needs, awareness, challenges, and overall compliance can be funneled. Their importance, if used correctly, can be widespread and provide a huge impact to each organization, security, and site mission deliverables/challenges.

Why is teamwork an important aspect when working at Y‑12?
There’s no “I” in team. Teamwork is the essence or cornerstone of any organization. All leaders are responsible for building their team. Effective teamwork requires collaboration, communication, trust, and respect. It also emphasizes the importance of shared commitment and diverse perspectives.

Why is it important that we hold ourselves accountable in our daily tasks?
If we’re not accountable, nothing gets done. Accountability is one of 16 traits that a leader must possess in order to be successful. Most folks are self‑critical and recognize that we are responsible for what does or does not happen in our daily tasks. Accountability allows you to take responsibility for your own actions and decisions, and it builds trust with the people around you. It’s easy to see the benefits of personal accountability. Whether you’re the CEO or just starting an entry‑level position, your team members will know that you’re reliable and can be counted on.

What advice would you give a newer employee about the importance of solving problems and asking questions?
When it comes to solving problems, it is important to make sure you define what the problem actually is before you try to solve it. You can waste a lot of energy when the problem is not properly defined, so make sure you’re focusing on the right problem.

It’s also important to listen and ask questions. A good leader can guide a team by asking the right questions at the right time. There’s definitely an art and a science to it.

What’s your top bucket list item and why?
My wife and I want to visit every NFL and MLB stadium. We’re both sports fans, but it’s more than that — it’s about making the memories.