NEWPORT, Mich - Wow. Three Patriot Award presentations at one location; what a day. Congratulations to Superintendent Karl Bausman, Supervisor Joe Larmee, and Supervisor Jason Willets at the DTE Energy Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant in Newport for receiving the ESGR Patriot Award.
Bausman and Larmee were nominated by Staff Sgt. Lance Barrett of the Army National Guard who stated, "All the stories I hear from other soldiers about their experiences constantly make me more and more thankful for the support both my supervisor and my company have for my service. I could get a one-day notice, or a one-month notice that I need to be gone for any amount of time and it’s never any questions asked, just a simple. “Have a safe trip. See you when you get back.” I feel DTE policies as a whole could use some recognition, but it is my supervisor in particular who feels the impact the most. I work in a 3-person department, so when I’m gone that’s 33% manpower unavailable.”
Barrett went on to say, “From January 2021 – June of 2022 I was activated for COVID relief around the State. A year and a half of both my supervisors and co-workers being shorthanded. When I called to let them know I was coming off orders they even asked if I wanted some extra time before coming back. This is definitely something I do not take for granted and hope to give them a little token of appreciation for all of their support.”
Willets was nominated by Staff Sgt. Christian L. Hiner of the Army National Guard who said, "Whenever I get called up on short notice, Jason Willets always takes the time to make sure everything is set up for success at my civilian job, enabling me to focus on mission success for my unit. It does not matter if it is short notice for civil unrest or long-term training. I can count on my supervisor to support me and keep me advised of any change at my civilian employment.”
We could not be happier to present these awards to three deserving supervisors. Thank you for all that you do.
Pictured from left: Jason Willets, Karl Bausman, Joe Larmee, Staff Sgt. Lance Barrett (ARNG), Fred Kaiser (SE Region ESGR Volunteer)