by Kylie Julius | Jul 5, 2023 | Haul Road Bridge Inspections
Do these two gentlemen look familiar to you? Pictured in front of the Haul Bridge, from left to right, are Strata-G team members, Work Planner Tyler Hand, and Project Site Safety Representative Stanley Woods.
Recently, the UCOR Waste Operations Team conducted routine bridge inspections on the Haul Road. This road is primarily used for shipping and receiving waste to and from onsite facilities, eliminating the need to use public roadways. These biennial inspections over Highways 58 and 95 are to ensure the structural and operational soundness of the bridges.
Tyler and Stanley are integral to making certain that processes like these bridge inspections are executed safely and compliantly. Excellent work, you two!
For more footage of the bridge inspection process, click here, courtesy of UCOR videographer, Cameron Jacobs.
by Kylie Julius | May 2, 2023 | Divisions Management
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new Nuclear Services Division to our current Strata-G organization to be led by Michael Russell.
Michael has 30+ years of technical project management experience in the areas of nuclear operations, engineering, quality assurance (QA) and compliance, regulatory/licensing support, performance improvement, construction, information technology, and software and hardware development.
Strata-G recently surpassed 300 employees, and we feel that this new organizational structure will improve our ability to stay connected with one another. Michael’s new division will be key strategically as we seek to grow our existing capabilities and expand our reach into the next generation commercial nuclear industry.
“The most important thing about leading our people is communicating with and facilitating among our great and diverse employees, their varied work places/clients, the Strata-G home office, and corporate resource groups. It has been amazing to get to know all the folks in my and other groups, their experiences, their families, personal stories, history, and the great work each of them is doing. This is one of the greatest jobs I could imagine.”
Thank you, Michael, for assuring the highest quality in the work that you do, personally and professionally, and for generating such great opportunities for our team.
by Kylie Julius | Apr 11, 2023 | Courtney Branton - Touring UPF
Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm toured the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) Project construction site in October 2022 with Strata-G Senior Communication Specialist, Courtney Branton. Courtney has been a contractor with the National Nuclear Security Administration Y-12 Acquisition and Project Management Office for 10 years next month and manages all the tours and visits for the project. This project aims to support key missions of the Y-12 National Security Complex and ensure the long-term viability, safety, and security of enriched uranium capabilities in the United States.
Courtney was thrilled to meet Secretary Granholm and show her around the facility. Thank you, Courtney, for delivering excellence in all that you do.
by Kylie Julius | Mar 2, 2023 | ETCHPS President-Elect
Congratulations to Strata-G, LLC and UCOR’s own Radiological Support Specialist, Tim Hughes, on being selected as President-Elect of the East Tennessee Chapter of the Health Physics Society (ETCHPS). The ETCHPS is a scientific and professional organization whose members specialize in occupational, environmental, and medical radiation safety.
When asked about his awarded involvement with the ETCHPS, Tim responds, “I am honored to be selected by my peers to serve in this capacity. My initial goal is to get our membership numbers back to pre-COVID levels and improve communication within the group.” Tim went on to explain that members are not only DOE or DOE contract employees but include personnel from NRC and state regulated entities (e.g., Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar Plant, University of Tennessee, etc.).
This coming May will mark Tim’s 40 years of experience working in the nuclear industry.
Tim is currently supporting United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) in their operations and activities on the Oak Ridge Reservation, where he provides technical support for their radiation protection program, assists with the development and implementation of rad protection training, and is qualified as a lead assessor evaluating regulatory and procedural compliance.
Throughout the years, Tim has not only grown in his passion for health physics, but also in his passion for music. Those who do not know Tim would be pleasantly surprised to learn that Tim and his lovely Jazz Quartet are often recruited for their musical capabilities, having performed at functions on behalf of the ETCHPS; Energy, Technology and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA); and Strata-G, LLC annual events.
Thank you, Tim, for demonstrating passion for the work you pursue and for delivering excellence in all that you do.
by Kylie Julius | Feb 1, 2023 | UTB Operational Performance Award
Congratulations to Brian Oakley, third from the left back row, for being selected as a winner of a UT-Battelle Operational Performance team award in the Excellence in Operations category. Brian and his team were recognized for successful and innovative planning, design and shipment of spent nuclear fuel sample examination waste from Building 3525 for ultimate disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. This significant effort involved developing new procedures and processes, designing new shipping containers, and coordinating with multiple organizations to pioneer a system that can now be used in the future by all ORNL programs to support spent nuclear fuel testing and waste removal.
Competition for these awards is intense, with nominations detailing a variety of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to UT-Battelle. Winners are selected by committees composed of ORNL managers and peers. It is rare for subcontractors to be included and honored at the UT-Battelle Awards Night.
Well done, everyone!