ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Chair Tom Simonet turned over leadership of the committee to Chad Sackett in October. Simonet served as the chair since 2017.

Sackett retired as a colonel in May of 2020 after serving 34 years with the Minnesota National Guard. He was mobilized three times during his career; deploying to Operation Desert Storm as a platoon leader, for Operation Noble Eagle as the officer in charge of the Minnesota National Guard Airport Security mission following 9/11, and deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom as the 34th Infantry Division Chief of Operations for Multi-National Division South.

Sackett began volunteering with Minnesota ESGR in 2021, becoming the Region 4 chair and state vice chair in 2022.

"I am honored at the opportunity to serve with an outstanding group of dedicated volunteers in supporting Minnesota reserve military members' service to our communities, state and nation,” said Sackett. “The ESGR program allows me to stay connected to the military and follow my passion for those who serve. I would recommend volunteering with ESGR to anyone who feels the same."

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve-Minnesota committee services 151 different military units that represent the 18,000 Guard and Reserve military members serving their country in Minnesota. With a volunteer staff of 64, they present around 250 ESGR Patriot Awards to dedicated civilian supervisors each year. They also help both the employer and the service member understand the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act or USERRA.

“We have dedicated volunteers, said Simonet. “I was lucky to be their chair. I watched them excel as an organization and constantly strive to improve the services to our Guard and Reserve members and their employers. Personally, I see us as a top 5 committee when comparing us to the other 54 state and territory committees. Our motto is true, We Serve Minnesota.”

For more information about ESGR and volunteer opportunities go to www.esgr.mil/mn. 

Photo: Tom Simonet and Chad Sackett