WASHINGTON – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) proudly announces the 30 finalists for the 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The finalists include small and large private and public sector employers nominated by a National Guard or Reserve Component employee employed in their organization. ESGR received 1,863 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia.
“I am honored to congratulate these 30 outstanding employers, who have distinguished themselves by strong support of their Reserve Component employees,” said Ron Bogle, ESGR’s National Chair. “Employers play a critical role in the readiness, retention and success of our National Guard and Reserve forces, and by valuing and supporting their employees’ military service, they are making a direct contribution to our Nation’s security.”
The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. The Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional employer support, with only 325 honorees to date. For more information about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil.
The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in the summer of 2023. The recipients will be honored in local ceremonies or the greater Washington D.C. area if conditions permit.
Here are this year’s Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award finalists:
American Bureau of Shipping Spring, Texas Army National Guard, Texas
Astellas Pharma, US Northbrook, Illinois Army Reserve, Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield -Stella Eagan, Minnesota Air Force Reserve, Minnesota
Cam Superline Waynesboro, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Pennsylvania
City of Springfield Fire Department Springfield, Missouri Navy Reserve, Missouri
Consumer Energy Jackson, Michigan Air National Guard, Michigan
E.L. Hollingsworth and Co. Flint, Michigan Army National Guard, Michigan
East Bay Municipal Utility District Oakland California Navy Reserve, California
Exigo Corporation Colorado Springs Colorado Air Force Reserve, Colorado
Eyak Services LLC Anchorage, Alaska Army Reserve, Alaska
FISERV Inc. Brookfield, Wisconsin Air National Guard, Wisconsin
Fulton Bank Lancaster, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Pennsylvania
Goldman Sachs Salt Lake City, Utah Army Reserve, Utah
Harris County Constable PCT 1 Houston, Texas Army Reserve, Texas
Hickory Police Department Hickory, North Carolina Army Reserve, North Carolina
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Jefferson, Wisconsin Army Reserve, Wisconsin
Jones, Galligan, Key & Lozano, LLP Weslaco, Texas Air National Guard, Texas
King County Seattle, Washington Coast Guard Reserve, Washington
Knox County Schools Knoxville, Tennessee Army National Guard, Tennessee
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Ocala, Florida Army Reserve, Florida
Mason City Ford Chrysler Mason City, Iowa Army National Guard, Iowa
Mechanical Resource Group Nashville, Tennessee Army National Guard, Tennessee
New Mexico Military Institute Roswell, New Mexico Army Reserve, New Mexico
OKC Vet Campus Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Army Reserve, Oklahoma
Patriot Elementary Colorado Springs, Colorado Army Reserve, Colorado
Quality Technology Services Overland Park, Kansas Army Reserve, Kansas
Ryzhka International LLC Fort Lauderdale, Florida Army National Guard, Florida
UBS Financial Services Weehawken, New Jersey Navy Reserve, New Jersey
USA Truck Van Buren, Arkansas Army National Guard, Arkansas
VITA Plus Corporation Madison, Wisconsin Army Reserve, Wisconsin
About ESGR
ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for Service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. It also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. To learn more about ESGR, visit www.ESGR.mil.
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