This week's business news includes Pantex milestone, Xcel Energy score, BSA update
Pantex hosts 50% completion celebration of the B61-12 and W88 Alt 370
Pantexans and partners from across the National Security Enterprise gathered to celebrate the production halfway completion mark of the B61-12 Life Extension Program and W88 Alt 370.
According to a news release, this milestone marks a significant accomplishment for Pantex, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), partners in the Nuclear Security Enterprise, the United States, and its allies. Having both programs reach the halfway point at the same time is a unique achievement.
“It took every one of you doing your part, working together with those thousands of others to achieve the common goal of modernizing these two weapons systems in order to continue to provide the nation with a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent,” said Dr. Rich Tighe, president and chief executive officer of CNS.
The B61-12 and W88 are strategically important weapons in our nation’s nuclear deterrent. The work done on these programs is critical to our nation’s defense plans for many years to come.
“The B61 gravity bomb is deployed by the U.S. Air Force on multiple platforms and has been in service more than 50 years, making it the oldest, most versatile weapon in the U.S. stockpile,” said Carlos Alvarado, deputy field office manager for the NNSA Production Office. He continued, “The W88 first entered the stockpile in the late 1980s. The W88 Alt 370 includes numerous updates to address aging concerns and enhance nuclear safety.”
Modernization of these weapons is vital to the mission.
“Working on such complex programs can be daunting, but the nation is better off as a result of your diligence and dedication. The work done at Pantex is in support of our national security strategy,” said John Evans, NNSA assistant deputy administrator for stockpile management.
The work on these two programs has not stopped. Reaching the 50% completion milestone is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
“An accomplishment such as this is only possible through teamwork and cooperation of everyone involved,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex site manager.
BSA Health System restores access to systems, accepting all patients
Earlier this week, BSA Health System announced it has restored access to key clinical and business systems, including its Epic electronic health record platform. With the restoration of these systems, providers have access to patients’ electronic medical records.
At this time, the BSA emergency room continues to accept patients by ambulance, and clinics have resumed operations. "We are continuing to work directly with patients to ensure they receive the care they need. We regret the inconvenience this incident has caused and encourage patients who have questions about an upcoming appointment, test results, prescription or other clinical matters to continue to contact their provider by phone directly until our systems are fully restored," BSA said in a statement.
Additional updates about the attempted ransomware attack can be found at ardenthealth.com/cybersecurityincident.
As previously reported, Ardent Health Services, the parent company of BSA and other hospitals across the region, became aware Nov. 23 of an information technology cybersecurity incident, which has since been determined to be a ransomware attack, and proactively took its entire network offline.
"Thank you for your patience as we work to remediate the recent cybersecurity incident. Safely caring for patients remains our highest priority as we work to restore impacted systems," Ardent said in a Dec. 6 update. "Ardent successfully restored access to Epic, our electronic medical record platform, and other core clinical and business systems. We are working around the clock to bring the remaining systems back online as quickly and safely as possible, and will continue to provide updates on our progress."
Ardent said some non-emergent procedures remained paused while they worked to bring additional systems back online. MyChart and On-Demand Video Visits were temporarily unavailable. Patients who have questions about an upcoming appointment, test results, prescription or other clinical matters should continue to contact their provider by phone directly. Ardent, law enforcement, and third-party security experts are conducting a thorough investigation, but that will take time to complete. If it is determined that any individuals’ protected health or personally identifiable information is involved, Ardent said they will be notified in accordance with applicable law.
City touts perfect gift 'fore' the Amarillo golfer
Looking for a stocking stuffer for the Amarillo golfer? The city of Amarillo has the answer – the “Explore the Four Pass.” Amarillo’s award-winning municipal golf complexes, Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail, are providing the unique pass. Comanche Trail includes the Arrowhead and Tomahawk courses. Ross Rogers includes the Mustang and Wild Horse courses.
The “Explore the Four Pass” treats golfers to a round of golf at the city’s four courses (cart included) for $120. Passes are available through Dec. 31 at Ross Rogers Golf Course and Comanche Trail Golf Course. The passes are redeemable through 2024 (based on available tee times.) Passes are limited to six per customer while supplies last.
For more information contact George Priolo at (806) 378-3086 or by email at george.priolo@amarillo.gov. Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Communications Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.
United stores helping shoppers keep food fresher for longer with new rewards campaign
With its Fresher for Longer loyalty campaign, United Supermarkets said it is saving its guests money, keeping food fresh and reducing food waste.
The division of Albertsons Companies, Inc., operators of stores under the banners of United Supermarkets, Albertsons Market, Market Street, and Amigos, is offering its Rewards! members the opportunity to earn extra benefits with every shopping visit. In addition to earning points redeemable for free groceries and discounts on food and fuel, guests are earning digital stamps redeemable for MasterChef Food Storage products through a partnership with tcc Global, a leading loyalty program solution provider.
From now through Jan. 16, Rewards! members earn one MasterChef digital stamp for every qualifying $10 spent. The digital stamps are redeemable through January 30 for free MasterChef branded food storage containers ranging in price from $7.99 to $18.99. Seven different size containers are offered and guests are encouraged to collect the full range.
“Here at The United Family, we pride ourselves on offering our guests the freshest groceries as well as a great value. Providing MasterChef Food Storage containers absolutely free as a reward for shopping supports both of those things,” said Tony Crumpton Chief Merchandising/Marketing Officer, The United Family. “Guests appreciate that we are providing a high-quality reward that helps them save money while reducing food waste.”
The Fresher for Longer campaign includes a digital mobile game that shoppers can play each and every day. Accessible through The United Family apps and websites, guests can win instant prizes of free supplier-funded products, bonus digital stamps and MasterChef Food Storage containers. Each game play also earns guests an entry to a sweepstakes with the grand prize winner winning a three course dinner for six prepared and hosted by MasterChef contestant and chef Bri Baker. The cost of the dinner is fully covered including the food, venue and travel costs for the winner and their guests. For more information, visit www.theunitedfamily.com.
Xcel Energy earns top score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index
Xcel Energy proudly announced that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Xcel Energy joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year. This marks the seventh consecutive year that Xcel Energy has received this honor.
“As a company, we are committed to creating an inclusive work culture where all employees feel welcome, respected and supported,” said Patricia Correa, senior vice president, Human Resources and Employee Services, and chief human resources officer. “We’re so honored to be recognized again for our leadership in this important area.”
The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384 participants; further demonstrating the tremendous trajectory of the CEI, a record-breaking 1,340 businesses have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical non-discrimination protections cover 21 million employees in the U.S. and around the globe.
Xcel Energy’s efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion. Xcel Energy achieved a 100% equality rating on CEI’s index based on several factors, including workforce protections, inclusive benefits, support of an inclusive culture, corporate social responsibility related to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and responsible citizenship.
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area business news and developments for Dec. 10, 2023
