MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Army National Guard Sgt. Brieanna Olson presented Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Awards to; Founder and Chief Executive David Bromelkamp, President and Chief Investment Officer Eric Hutchens, and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Tyler Chapman of Allodium Investment Consultants.

The company leaders received the awards from Olson in person Feb 1 and were recognized in a company-wide zoom meeting Feb 6. ESGR Minnesota Committee member Christie Nixon participated in the zoom event.

Olson has been a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard for 7 years, and recently signed a reenlistment contract for another 6 years. She is qualified as both an Information Technology Specialist and a Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer.

Her family’s history of military service is strong, a Gold Star Family during the Vietnam War, her father and husband both members of the Navy, and a brother in the Army. Brieanna joined the Guard not only for the education benefits but primarily because of the sense of purpose and community the military brings.

She finds that sense of purpose and community at Allodium, where she was hired as the Operations and Technology Associate just over two years ago. The firm recognized her military experience and training as a positive when they hired her, and they have engaged with her in a collaborative way to adjust work priorities and benefits for both short notice (State Active Duty to provide community security during the Chauvin trial in Minneapolis) and longer notice (upcoming 6-weeks of school at Ft. Gordon, GA) periods of duty.

While appreciative of the entire team at Allodium, Brieanna asked that two other colleagues be recognized. Kerry Kaluza (Business Operations Consultant), who played a key role in developing the option for military paid time off for the company, and Renae Mottaz (Client Service Associate), who, particularly during the period of civil unrest in Minneapolis, expressed to Brieanna heartfelt pride in and thanks for her military service.

Mr. Bromelkamp expressed his appreciation for what Brieanna does for the team and for the country, and for the acknowledgement of the value of “the ordinary way we run the firm.” Others pointed to her going to the work of nominating Allodium leaders for the Patriot award as an indication of how amazing she is.

In addition to receiving the Patriot Award, Mr. Bromelkamp signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:
 

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools th ey need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills servicemembers bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also assists in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. In 2022, ESGR celebrated 50 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil .

Photo courtesy of Brieanna Olson
Photo: David Bromelkamp (Chief Executive Officer), Tyler Chapman (Chief Operating Officer), Sergeant Brieanna Olson (Operations and Technology Associate), Eric Hutchens (President and Chief Investment Officer)