LANSDALE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Cobham Advanced Electronic Systems recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Cobham Advanced Electronic Systems’ Human Resources Manager Mary Beth DePaolo was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Ray Santiago who serves in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. 

Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Southeast Area ESGR Chair and State Chair Emeritus, presented the Patriot to Award DePaolo. In presenting the awards, Craig commented: “I know first-hand how critical it is to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces.”  

Santiago told Craig: “DePaolo is very supportive of my service in the National Guard. Whether going away for a drill weekend or getting put on orders for an extended period, she never makes it feel like it is a burden. She always stresses that it is not an inconvenience to the company and that my service to our country is important.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective, and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. 

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.