At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In March, we’ll focus on Women’s History Month while shining a light on one employee at a time. Today’s Q&A is with Alta Gracia Reyna, Lead PMSS/AGSE & MTI Safety Rep, Engineering, Science & Technology.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I joined Amentum in December 2020 at our Amarillo, Texas location.
What is your professional and personal background?
I began my professional career with Amentum as an Executive Administrative Assistant working at our Amarillo, Texas location. In March of 2021, I moved into a Program Management Support Specialist (PMSS) position, and as of January 2023, I currently reside and hold the Lead PMSS/ Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) representative position in San Antonio, Texas.
Personally, I grew up as a small-town country girl, originally from Dimmitt, Texas, population 4,000. My children are two wonderful young men who reside in Amarillo, Texas.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
I provide program management support to the Program Management Office and I work closely with the program manager to provide services ranging from purchase requisitions, purchase orders, assistance with government contracts, onboarding support, and leading and holding meetings for PMSS. I communicate with our customers and aid in making sure all our customers’ requirements and needs are met in a timely and satisfactory manner. I also provide EHS support for our Air/Ground Systems Engineering/Major Command Tech Integration (AGSE/MTI) program areas.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
My career has quickly evolved within Amentum. I’m grateful my hard work is appreciated, and I have been given the opportunity to flourish within the company. From holding an administrative position to now serving as Lead PMSS and as an EHS Rep, working at Amentum has been the best career move I could have possibly made.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
As I migrated to San Antonio with Amentum, the people of the company are not considered employees to me, but rather extended family. The sense of camaraderie, the atmosphere and the closeness everyone provides shows how the people truly appreciate, understand and embody our mission statement. For me I enjoy our FAMILY!
What are you passionate about?
I am most passionate about FAMILY! As I search for things to be passionate about, I do my best to ensure I’m not distracting myself from what matters most in life: my loved ones. I want my two sons to know I’ll always be there for them. My parents are now retired and aging quickly so dedicating myself to make trips to see them in the Texas panhandle is a rewarding and fulfilling experience for me.
What’s your career advice?
Always remember that a job doesn’t give your life meaning. YOU give your job meaning.
What does safety mean to you, or do you have a favorite safety tip?
Safety to me means taking the time to recognize the hazards and taking the appropriate steps to protect yourself, your fellow co-workers, family and friends. Everyone should develop the habit of thinking about safety during a work shift, on the way home, at home or on vacation.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
The best invention in the world to me is a tortilla. I eat tacos over a tortilla so when the filling falls out BOOM another taco. After all, if a tortilla can rise so can you!
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Never be afraid to ask a question. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s ok to say I don’t have an answer; however, I will find one and follow up.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a way for us to see how far we have come as a society from women’s previous status to current status. From women not being allowed to vote, working only in the home, and taking care of children, to now being CEOs scientists, doctors, and more. We hold the power to show future women of the world that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.
