by Kylie Julius | Dec 18, 2023 | LPF Groundbreaking
Congratulations to the Lithium Processing Facility (LPF) Project Team and to Strata-G Engineering Oversight Manager, Mark Swientoniewski, in conducting their ground-breaking ceremony on October 19, 2023, marking the start of site preparation work. LPF staff, contractors, and community members joined leadership from Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), Y-12 Acquisition and Project Management Office (APMO), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and NNSA Production Office (NPO) including NNSA Principal Deputy Administrator Fank Rose for the ceremony. LPF supports the NNSA’s vision for sustainable Lithium processing operations and critical NNSA mission needs for decades to come!
The project recently received Critical Decision-3A approval, which authorizes the project for site preparation construction work and long-lead procurement of equipment. “This continued progression demonstrates how we’ve been tracking to the schedule that was put into place 3 years ago towards a critical path where the end objective is to get workers out of Beta 2″, LPF Project Manager Robert Sperling said.
Strata-G is thankful to provide the NNSA Y-12 APMO organization with project management, technical, and administrative support to conduct Y-12 capital projects such as LPF.
by Kylie Julius | Nov 10, 2023 | ORNL's Agriculture Pod Project
A job well done to Strata-G’s Environmental Specialist, Mason Jobe, for his work supporting ORNL’s Agriculture Pod!
The main purpose of this study is to show that small communities can build systems that sequester carbon and use it to feed and grow plants resulting in a net zero carbon emission environment. Mason and his team are working on building an HVAC unit that sequesters and bottles carbon. Then, their team is going to start injecting that carbon at different rates into the atmosphere to alter those conditions and observe how it affects plant growth and rates of photosynthesis.
The goal is to discover how much carbon to apply at certain stages of plant growth so that the plant uses 100% of the injected carbon dioxide while simultaneously sustaining itself.
In hopes of achieving their goal, the team aims to demonstrate efficient usage of the HVAC bottling system in an effort supporting environmental sustainability practices.
Great job, Mason and team!
by Kylie Julius | Nov 10, 2023 | EMDF Groundbreaking Event 2023
Congratulations to Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Environmental Management and United Cleanup of Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) on breaking ground on the Environmental Management Disposal Facility (EMDF)! The EMDF is an engineered onsite disposal facility for waste generated from deteriorated buildings on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). The EMDF will enable environmental cleanup across the ORR so that the DOE Office of Science and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) can reuse the land in support of innovative research and national security missions.
Strata-G President John Patterson has served UCOR as the EMDF Project Manager since June 2020: “The EMDF Team is an awesome group of seasoned professionals that have supported all phases of the project all while working in collaboration with our UCOR colleagues, DOE customers, and TDEC and EPA regulators.” The EMDF Team L to R: Steve Kenworthy, Bobby McClure, Greg Pickerel, Todd Bergener, Joe Aylor, Sean Dunagan, Stephanie Miller, Mason Eschenberg, Doug Hanahan, John Patterson, Doug Reynolds, Mary Magleby, and Karl Chance (missing Jennifer Linton, Annette Primrose, and Robin Manning).
Excellent work to all supporting this effort!
by Strata-G | Sep 11, 2023 | 21 Years In Business
Thank you to our employees for coming out for our 21st Anniversary Celebration! We hope you enjoyed your time at the party, as the day was filled with new and familiar faces, joy and laughter, and meaningful conversations and connections.
The significance of this occasion was MADE by you all.
A massive thank you to Kate Honebrink and her band of party preppers for pulling together such an awesome event.
by Strata-G | Aug 1, 2023 | IAQ & HPI Synergy Webinar
Recently, Strata-G’s Senior Industrial Hygienist, Charlie Satterwhite, and Safety and Health Manager, Angie McGill, presented on an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Human Performance Improvement (HPI) Synergy webinar, hosting 346 attendees.
The webinar focused on how investigators can incorporate HPI principles and demonstrate high Emotional Intelligence (EI) to establish the foundation for good communication rapport and collaboration in IAQ problem-solving. One of the key takeaways from this webinar includes the importance of active listening, showing empathy, regulating emotions, and responding early and appropriately, all of which help ensure a positive IAQ outcome.
Charlie Satterwhite, MPH and Certified Industrial Hygienist, has extensive experience in Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) and has been heavily involved in nearly every facet of Industrial Hygiene, including Indoor Air Quality, for 40 years. He currently works as a Senior Industrial Hygienist, supporting UCOR in the Safety Systems and Services organization.
Angela McGill, MPH, is the former Safety and Health Manager for UCOR, and has worked in safety and health for more than 33 years. She currently supports the Safety Systems and Services organization in her role as UCOR’s Human Performance Improvement Subject Matter Expert.\
Well done, you two!
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 Strata-G | Jun 1, 2023 | Rocky Top Business Award
Recently, Strata-G was recognized one of the fastest-growing UT Knoxville alumni-owned or alumni-led businesses, along with 39 other organizations.
As such, our team was presented with the Rocky Top Business Award! Well done, Elliott and team!
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.
