HAMEL, Minn. – Minnesota Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goette submitted an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award nomination for his supervisor Alex Clark. The Patriot Award was given March 1 at the Loram Maintenance of Way headquarters in front of approximately 20 employees.

Alex Clark’s wife and two children were in attendance as well as a former CEO Phil Homan. Homan noted that safety and following regulations is important to Loram and service members fit the bill. The Patriot Award was presented in recognition of Clark’s support in forming a new veteran recruiting strategy program to employ additional Guard and Reserve members and giving specific transition support to Sergeant Goette. A specific action that stirred Goette’s decision to send in the nomination this year. Goette had a friend (a deceased service member who deployed with him) whose family was offered a timeshare at the Wisconsin Dells by Alex Clark. Goette serves at the Recruiting and Retention Battalion and works in the Loram human resources department.

Clark also signed an ESGR Statement of Support (SOS) for his company and requested additional SOS’s to be placed in their facility in Texas. He confirmed that their company joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members 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.

Alex commented that his company seeks to hire military service members because of the quality of the work that they perform for both at his company and for the nation.

Also present was Jack J. Grams, Minnesota  ESGR Awards Director/Ombudsman/Minnesota Committee member. 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 provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.

This year ESGR celebrates 51 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/WA.

Photo:(L to R) Loram Executive Dir. Phil Homan, Sgt. 1st Class and Loram’s Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist Michael Goette, HR Dir. Alex Clark, Jack Grams of ESGR, Loram VP of HR, Environmental Health & Safety, Labor Relations & Facilities, Susan Bobb.