LETTER FROM THE EDITORS The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the return of light- symbolizing hope and renewal . Through the dark of the night, the aurora borealis illuminates the sky with its brilliant colors. This edition of our newsletter reflects on the close of one season and the quiet promise of what’s ahead. As always, thank you to everyone who contributes to the newsletter. Whether you send employees to spotlight or just read a few pages, we appreciate all that you do. May we, much like the aurora borealis, transform our path towards the new and exciting offerings of 2026. From,
The Marketing Team
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 COMPANY UPDATES 6 EMPLOYEE FEATURES 11 MAIN ARTICLES 13 SEASONAL INTEREST
COMPANY UPDATES
SUCCESSES & AWARDS We are proud to share the successes and awards earned over the past quarter. Together, they reinforce our momentum from the entire year as we move forward into 2026. Each one is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees! Health DHA Joint Trauma Registry (Recompete) Code Maintenance 9 Bridge DHA MQS2 NG TOPR 10274 - Fetal Medicine Physician @ Fort Bragg JV DHA MQS2 NG TOPR 10248 - Medical Support Services @ Portsmouth JV DHA Voice Systems O&M Walter Reed OY2 MOD ARPA-H POSEIDON (Phase 2)
Energy DOE M&O Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Defense & Civilian Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) IDIQ
DEPARTMENT UPDATES Technology Management PSI’s Help Desk End of Year Survey 2025 The Technology Management Department invites you to take our end-of-year survey, rating our Help Desk and related services. We aim to bring you the best service experience yearround and hope that you will take a few moments to provide us with your feedback. Your opinion counts, and your response will help us optimize and improve our services as we move into the new year. Look for the survey in your inbox, January 2026! Those who complete our survey will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 4 Amazon gift cards in the amount of $50! KnowBe4 Annual Security Training Campaign As we ring in the new year, we also ring in security training! In Q1 2026, we will be launching our Annual Security Training Campaign on the KnowBe4 platform. This security training is essential for helping you identify the warning signs of a security threat. We also ask you to review and sign the latest versions of our policies each year. This mandatory training helps us keep our employees and environment safe, as well as meet our compliance requirements. Please keep an eye on your inbox for your KnowBe4 training announcement.
Subsidiary Update Kinex, recently moved into a larger, more capable warehouse facility in Fayetteville. The new space offers high-bay storage, expanded offices, and increased capacity—eliminating the need for temporary storage sheds and rented trucks. This upgrade streamlines operations and enhances support for our USASOC customer. Special recognition goes to Chuck Sias, Kinex Logistics Lead, whose leadership ensured a smooth transition while meeting all facility requirements and managing ongoing deliveries. The consolidated location is expected to reduce costs, improve workflow, and better protect equipment ahead of installation.
EMPLOYEE FEATURES
2025 RECAP 2025 was a year filled with many successes at PSI, marked by growth, innovation, and impactful achievements across our teams. Here are just a FEW highlights of the year!
MARCH
AUGUST
PSI’s Energy Segment team attended the Waste Management Symposia in March 2025 in Phoenix, expanding PSI’s presence in the energy industry while building strong, long-lasting relationships with both new and existing customers.
PSI attended DHITS 2025 in Nashville, achieving strong booth engagement and showcasing immersive VR demos while gaining valuable insights and connections in the ever-evolving technology landscape.
MAY
OCTOBER
PSI participated in the 2025 TeCMEN Industry Day, the Gulf Coast’s premier technology, engineering, and manufacturing expo, expanding our visibility, engaging with industry leaders, and strengthening STEM connections, with Nate Pierpoint serving as one of the event’s hosts.
PSI hosted its 27th Annual Golf Tournament in October, welcoming over 200 golfers and raising funds in support of Special Love and Blood Cancer United.
JUNE JULY
DECEMBER
PSI hosted a highly successful internship program this year, welcoming 10 interns who contributed fresh perspectives, supported key initiatives, and gained hands-on experience across the organization.
PSI was honored with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award for 2025 and named one of Computerworld’s Best Places to Work in IT 2025, recognizing our continued commitment to veterans and an exceptional workplace culture.
THE STATS New contracts won 20 (+$190M Value)
Recompetes won 9 (+$179M Value)
Employee Awards 384
27th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT PSI hosted over 200+ golfers at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring, MD, raising $187,308.00 throughout the day with a 100% match from PSI— all in support of Special Love and Blood Cancer United. A huge shoutout to our volunteers who helped make it all possible!
AMONG THE GREATS Mel “Jumel” Petersen, Functional Analyst (GPA Core Function Team Support), was recently inducted into Dakota Wesleyan University’s Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements in Track & Field. He set records in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000 during his time at DWU. In fact, his 5000m time still stands as an all-time best at Dakota Wesleyan. Mel was a repeat SDIC Conference champion at 1500m and 5000m, and won both the 10,000m and 5000m events at the District-12 regional championships as a senior. He also was the #1 graduate in the class of 1986, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In his induction speech, he mentions how his time at DWU built “the foundation for what would come next in my life and my Air Force career.” Mel enlisted in the United States Air Force, eventually to become a Colonel, serving nearly 29 years in various flying and staff positions. He continued to compete while active duty in the USAF, winning the armed forces 10,000m championships, competing at five world military events, and even getting to compete for a German track club. Although addressing the future generation of athletes at DWU, his encouragement to “look at our journey and see what’s possible when you combine faith, hard work, and a crowd that truly cares,” is applicable to everyone in the workplace. May his accomplishments inspire us to continue working hard and support one another as we enter the new year. Congratulations Mel on this oustanding honor!
MAIN ARTICLES
BYTE-SIZED In this episode of Byte-Sized, we spoke with Seth LeMaster, Program Manager of the 222S Hanford Lab contract. As our first guest from the Energy Segment, Seth reflects on his recent transition into his expanded role and the success of the contract. Congratulations Seth on this accomplishment!
HANFORD HISTORY & 222S-LABORATORY A short history of the Hanford Site and PSI’s role at 222S- Laboratory
The Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State, was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project and played a critical role in World War II and the Cold War as a major plutonium production complex for the nation’s nuclear weapons program. For decades, Hanford’s reactors and processing facilities supported national defense, but the rapid pace and scale of operations left behind one of the most complex environmental cleanup challenges in U.S. history. After plutonium production ended in the late 1980s, the site’s mission shifted from weapons manufacturing to long-term environmental remediation, waste management, and scientific research. Today, Hanford is home to one of the largest and most technically demanding cleanup efforts in the world. Federal agencies and industry partners are working to safely manage radioactive waste, protect the Columbia River, and advance research that supports remediation and environmental monitoring. Central to these efforts is the 222-S Laboratory, which provides critical analytical testing and data to support waste treatment, cleanup decisions, and regulatory compliance across the site. PSI plays an important role in supporting the 222-S Laboratory’s mission by delivering expertise that helps ensure accurate analysis, operational reliability, and continued progress toward Hanford’s cleanup goals. Through our work, PSI helps enable the science, safety, and innovation required to address legacy nuclear challenges—supporting not only environmental restoration at Hanford, but also the broader commitment to responsible stewardship and public health for generations to come.
SEASONAL INTEREST
CELEBRATING TRADITIONS The winter season is a time for us to connect with those we love. Although each ritual or gathering looks different for everyone, those moments allow us to be together and appreciate those around us. From treasured family rituals to new traditions in the making, these stories offer a warm glimpse into the moments that make this time of year special across our team.
“In Korea, eating dduk guk (rice cake soup) on New Year’s Day is a cherished tradition that symbolizes a fresh start and the passage into a new year. The soup is made with thinly sliced white rice cakes, which represent purity and longevity, and is often served in a clear broth with garnishes like egg, seaweed, and beef. According to custom, eating a bowl of dduk guk signifies that you have “aged one year,” making it an essential part of celebrating Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year. This ritual blends family togetherness with cultural meaning, reinforcing hopes for health and prosperity in the year ahead.”
- Rebekah Chong
“It’s different every year, but my mom’s gingerbread cookies and my stepmom’s spiced apple rum cider.”
- Rachel Winslow
“Each year during the Christmas season, I make homemade white chocolate candy to share with family and friends. This tradition has been part of my holidays for many, many years and is something I look forward to every December. Making and giving the candy helps put me in the holiday spirit and allows me to share a small piece of joy and love with the people who are close to me.”
- Ruby Mangum
“My whole family is really into food in my house. I roast a leg of lamb, and for the past 2 years I’ve done it on the smoker! Seasoned with just kosher salt, fresh ground pepper and couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary -- its a game-changer!
- Sean Quigley
HOLIDAY RECIPE EXCHANGE This holiday season, some of the Executive Team exchanged their favorite holiday recipes, each one holding a memory and a meaning. See what makes the holidays so special for them!
Soft Italian Amaretti Cookies- Keven LeBlanc Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups / 200 g almond flour or very finely ground almonds , sifted - 1 cup / 200 g granulated sugar - pinch salt - 2 large / 60 g egg whites - ¼ teaspoon lemon juice - Zest of two lemons - ½ teaspoon almond extract - confectioners’ sugar, as needed Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Stack two matching, heavyweight, light to medium colored cookie sheets one inside the other (stacking two cookie sheets together keeps the bottoms of the cookies from getting too brown). Line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, sugar, lemon zest and salt until evenly incorporated. In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites and lemon juice until they hold soft peaks. Add beaten egg whites and almond extract to dry ingredients and stir until mixture forms a soft, sticky dough, kneading with your hands if necessary. Lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar. Use a small cookie scoop to portion dough into 1-inch balls. Roll into a smooth ball, then roll in powdered sugar. Arrange on parchment or silicon-lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between cookies. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until tops are cracked and bottoms are just barely golden (if you are NOT using doubled cookie sheets your cookies will brown much quicker, and will likely only need 25 minutes, so watch them closely). If you prefer crunchier cookies you can give them an extra 5 minutes or so or until the tops begin to brown too. Remove from oven; let cool a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. You can change lemon zest and juice to orange for a different flavor.
Vanillekipferl Cookies- Carola Ammer “My father’s side of the family is Austrian, and attached is a very simple Vanillekipferl cookie recipe, my Austrian Grandmother’s signature cookie. The best cookies ever! My Grandmother was an amazing cook and baker.”
Ingredients:
- 10oz flour - 7oz butter - 3.5 oz walnuts - 3oz powdered sugar - 2 tsp. vanilla sugar - 1 tbsp. powdered sugar (for sugar dusting) - 2 tsp. vanilla sugar (for sugar dusting) 1. Mix all ingredients and quickly knit to dough. 2. Wrap dough in saran wrap and let rest for 2hrs. 3. Pre-heat oven to 340F. 4. Separate dough in equal pieces, forming half-inch rolls. 5. Then separate pieces from the roll and shape into Kipferl. 6. Bake on baking paper for about 15mins. 7. Mix powdered sugar and vanilla sugar and heavily dust on Kipferl while they are still hot.
Pizzelles- Chris Brock “Brock family tradition is to make Pizzelle cookies each Christmas. The kids all help – someone’s on the timer, someone scoops the batter, and someone works the press!
Ingredients:
- 12 eggs - 2 ½ cups sugar - 2 tsp anise oil - 6 cups flour - 2 cups canola oil - ¼ tsp salt Mix eggs till frothy, add sugar a little at a time while continuing to mix well. Add the oil and anise, then add the flour a little at a time while mixing. Grease pizzelle iron with oil, heat to maximum heat. With a scoop or spoon, place small batches of batter onto the iron and press for approximately 30-35 seconds at a time. Remove pizzelles from the iron with a fork and let sit on a flat surface covered in parchment paper. Continue process until all batter is used. Makes 8 dozen cookies.
Pracny Cookies- Kim Stephens “My Dad’s family came from Czechoslavakia and I always remember this being my favorite cook during the holidays and only found on his side of the family.” Ingredients: - 2 cups of flour - 1/8 cups of sugar - ½ lb of ground nuts (my family used hazelnuts) - ½ lb sweet butter - ¾ ground cloves (strong spice so a little less than ¾) 1. After making the dough, let it stand for 30-60 minutes 2. Press dough into form- tart shell 3. Oven pre-heat to 350, once on baking sheet bake for 10-12 minutes, they should be a light to medium brown color 4. Let cool before you remove from tart shells or they will crumble 5. Dust with powder sugar This is a recipe you don’t want to replace the ingredients- REAL butter, flour and sugar (no honey or greek yougurt)
Hollywood Cheesecake- Andy Acuna “I had forgotten about this recipe until I was going through my mom’s recipe box when she moved out of my childhood home and was cleaning out items. I felt it was necessary to preserve some of these family baking traditions that had been core memories for me growing up. I took and wrote down the recipes that I remembered as a child.” Crust: 1 ¼ cup graham crackers ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup butter melted Mix well and line bottom of 10 inch springform pan. Bake at 325 for 17 mins. Filling: 2 lb cream cheese (room temp) 1 cup sugar 6 eggs 2 tsp vanilla Beat well 10 mins or more. Bake at 375 44 mins. Let stand 15 mins. Turn oven to 425. Topping: 1 1/2 pts sour cream 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup sugar Mix well and pour on top of cake. Bake 12 mins. Cool and place in fridge several hours or overnight
BOOK NOOK These hand-picked books are perfect for a snow day! Curl up by the fireplace or snuggle into a warm blanket with one of these books to set the mood.
Early Riser – Jasper Fforde In a world where humans hibernate through winter, Charlie Worthing works as a Winter Consul policing the few who stay awake. When strange deaths begin to occur, he uncovers a chilling mystery that suggests winter may be far more dangerous than anyone realized.
The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey Set in 1920s Alaska, a childless couple builds a snow girl who mysteriously comes to life. Blending folklore and realism, the novel explores love, loss, and the fragile line between magic and survival.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson Journalist Mikael Blomkvist and brilliant hacker Lisbeth Salander investigate a decades-old disappearance tied to a powerful Swedish family. Their search exposes dark secrets, corruption, and violence beneath a polished exterior.
Passion Struck – John R. Miles This nonfiction book examines what drives people to live purpose-driven, fulfilling lives. Through research, interviews, and practical frameworks, Miles outlines how to move from routine existence to intentional, meaningful action.