The Y‑12er spotlight shines on one of our own. 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.
Jessica G. stands in the gap to ensure mission success.
Whether on the volleyball court or at work, Jessica G. knows it’s hard to win without teamwork.
“I always tell new employees in the Ambassador Program that no matter your background, how intelligent you are, or how many years of experience you accumulate, you will never know everything there is to know about this site,” Jessica said.
Jessica is a senior technical support specialist in the work control process integration department, specifically working on the Work It Now (WIN) process for maintenance orders. She started at Y-12 almost 2 decades ago as an apprentice, rotating between jobs across the site every 3 months. Performing that role for 5 years allowed her to gain valuable connections and knowledge.
“My current role has allowed me to take my past experience and roll it into my current responsibilities from the program side of planning, scheduling, and execution,” Jessica said. “In the last year, we have been able to make drastic and impactful improvements to our process that affect all areas of maintenance throughout the valley.”
These improvements couldn’t have come at a better time, as the site is facing an increasing workload and an urgent need to ramp up the pace of production.
“With the recent NNSA transformation objectives and the culture of urgency, we are simplifying our process and relying on the skill and knowledge of the highly trained people we employ,” Jessica said. “To say it has been challenging to make meaningful change while ensuring we meet our DOE, site, and industry requirements is an understatement. However, knowing we are relieving some of the burden of the planners, workers, and supervisors is the best feeling.”
Jessica has played an integral part in making sure that these improvements have the intended impact.
“We can make anything look good on paper, but if it doesn’t work for those in the field, it’s useless,” she said.
Jessica added that engaging in open communication and collaborating to find the best solutions, especially with employee feedback and help from the site’s “incredible” subject matter experts, delivers results for improvement.
“My number one advice to new employees is to come in with a humble attitude and ask all the questions,” Jessica said. “The most valuable thing you can do is build strong relationships and learn who to reach out to when you need support.”
How has working for CNS changed or reinforced your thoughts on our mission (nuclear deterrence, managing the stockpile, etc.)?
Witnessing our teams modify normal operations, collaborate under changing demands, and stand in the gap to ensure successful execution has shown me the true strength and resilience of this site and, specifically, my organization. I am privileged to work alongside high-caliber professionals daily.
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My late husband inspired me more than anyone else. He was genuinely the best person I have ever known, with an extraordinary heart for others. Whether it was a family member, a close friend, a colleague, or a complete stranger, he would step in to help in any way he could. His kindness came from a place of sincere love for people. Even in the most challenging times, he had an incredible ability to make people laugh and always looked on the bright side, even when things were far from bright. His selflessness and optimism continue to impact me and how I live my life every day.
What advice would you offer a newer employee about the importance of solving problems and asking questions?
Building relationships will get you further than anything else at Y-12. Understanding what people do and how it works together to support the mission is paramount.
Share a lesson learned from a leader in your past. Why was this a good (or bad) lesson?
I once worked with a manager who carried a difficult reputation because she handled compliance and consequences; however, when I went through a personal tragedy, she was the very first person to reach out and ask what she could do to help. She ensured I didn't have to worry about work for a single moment so I could focus entirely on my family. I have always operated on the principle that actions speak louder than words, and this was a profound lesson in leadership: despite the opinions of others, she proved to be an exceptionally thoughtful, compassionate leader who had my back when I needed it most.