The Blue Grass plant has a new site project manager.

“It really is an honor to be involved in completing closure of the project, especially knowing all the people who put so much work into this along the way,” said Shannon Pendergrass, who became site project manager Aug. 27. “When I started, I never imagined this because I had no chemical demilitarization experience, but the way everything worked out, the time is right.” She is responsible for overseeing the project to close the plant, which destroyed the chemical weapons stockpile at the Blue Grass Army Depot, or BGAD, from June 2019 to July 2023. In addition to managing plant closure activities, Pendergrass’ duties include coordinating with depot and Blue Grass Chemical Activity leadership.

She previously served as the Blue Grass plant’s director of operations during chemical weapons destruction operations and deputy site project manager for business during the plant’s construction and systemization phases.

Prior to joining the chemical weapons destruction project, Pendergrass worked at BGAD from 2002 to 2016. She served as acting chief of staff, project manager of the Data Analysis Group leading Enterprise Resource Planning implementation, project manager for the Industrial Services Division where she coordinated manufacturing and refurbishment projects including kit builds for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle upgrades, Continuous Process Improvement chief where she established a quality management system and led the depot to its initial ISO 9001 certification, Ammunition Operations team leader and Base Operations financial manager.

“I think it is an advantage having worked in operations at the ground level at the depot and here,” said Pendergrass. “I know the team; I’ve worked with many of them for years. Their expertise is unmatched, and the experienced people are making sure the new people are well trained. It takes the collective group. I feel confident we will successfully get the job done.”

She takes over from Dr. Candace Coyle, who departed to be the intra-agency liaison officer between the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives.

“Dr. Coyle changed the working relationship among all the groups here,” Pendergrass said. “She got us where we need to be in terms of cooperation in the partnership. Her advice to me was to trust my instincts and not try to be like someone else.”