DUBOIS, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a Clyde, Ferraro & Co. LLP supervisor recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

R. Leo Ferraro of Clyde, Ferraro & Co. LLP was nominated for the Patriot Award by Staff Sgt. Keegan Frey who is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company stationed in Pittsburgh.

In nominating Ferraro, Staff Sgt. Frey said: “Leo Ferraro deserves this award for the exceptional accommodation given to me for military service obligations throughout my employment at the firm. My service obligations went beyond weekend needs from missing a month of work to service-related phone calls during work hours. Leo's accommodation to short notice of prolonged work absence due to military service is prime example of patriotic leadership. Leo's patriotism and support of national security is appreciated.”

Presenting the award to Ferraro on behalf of ESGR were Gary and Wendy Weber, Pennsylvania Northwest Area Volunteers. Gary Weber commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Weber added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

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/PA

PHOTO (L to R): Gary Weber Northwest Area Volunteer, Patriot Award recipient Ferraro, and Wendy Weber Northwest Area Volunteer.