Esrael Silva serves the community through the Texas Association of Sports Officials.
The Pantex Citizen feature shines a light on the remarkable employees of Pantex who go beyond the job. Pantexans manage dual roles as dedicated professionals at the plant and as active, engaged citizens in their communities. All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of PanTexas Deterrence, LLC.
For more than 15 years, Security Police Officer Esrael Silva has been part of the Pantex defensive line, helping safeguard the site with the kind of focus and discipline you’d expect from a seasoned player protecting the end zone. Over the years, he has stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with teammates who take pride in protecting the mission, supporting their colleagues, and serving the Texas Panhandle community.
When Silva steps off the Pantex field, he heads straight onto another: the football field. He volunteers with the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) Amarillo Football Chapter, serving as a high school and NCAA football official and chapter president. Essentially, Silva is the head coach for officials across the region.
“I became involved because I love football and wanted to remain connected to the game while giving back to student-athletes and our local schools,” he said.
In his leadership role, Silva helps recruit, train, and mentor new officials, preparing them to make the right calls when the pressure is on. He runs chapter meetings like team huddles, communicates with schools and athletic directors, and consistently promotes professionalism, accountability, and sportsmanship.
Most importantly, he focuses on developing younger officials to officiate varsity matchups under those bright Friday night lights.
For Silva, football has always been part of his playbook.
“Officiating provides an opportunity to teach sportsmanship, model leadership, and help create a safe and fair environment for competition,” he said.
As he gained experience, Silva recognized a critical need: recruiting more officials. Without them, the games simply cannot be played. Stepping into a leadership role gave him the chance to help ensure future generations of athletes keep enjoying the traditions communities cherish.
Some of Silva’s favorite moments are from watching new officials grow. Many step onto the field for the first time feeling unsure, but after training, mentorship, and game‑day experience, they begin to make confident calls, earn varsity assignments, and ultimately become mentors themselves.
Additionally, he recalled, “It is also meaningful when a coach, administrator, parent, or student-athlete takes time to thank our crew after a game. Officiating often requires making difficult decisions under pressure. Those moments remind us that our preparation, professionalism, and commitment make a difference.”
Silva believes the Pantex Citizen outcome shines a spotlight on how employees make an impact far beyond the plant gates. Many Pantexans bring their leadership, service mindset, and strong work ethic into the community, strengthening organizations across the Texas Panhandle.
“Recognizing those efforts encourages others to get involved. It also shows the community that Pantex employees care deeply about the people and communities we serve,” he said.
Silva’s advice to potential volunteers is to get off the bench and into the game.
“Start by identifying something you care about and find a local organization that supports it. You do not need extensive experience or unlimited time. You need a willingness to serve, learn, and remain dependable.” He continued, “Your contribution might feel small at first, but consistent service matters. You will build relationships, strengthen your community, and often receive as much from the experience as you give.”
In the end, Silva reminds us that whether it’s at Pantex or under the Friday night lights, we all have a role to play. So grab your gear, step onto the field, and help your community keep moving the chains.