CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a Colliers Engineering and Design supervisor recently received a Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the 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.

Colliers Engineering and Design’s National Discipline–Rail Supervisor George Kevgas was nominated for the Patriot Award by Lt. Col. Lucas Brewer who is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 108th Training Command Stationed in Charlotte, N.C. In nominating Kevgas, Brewer stated: “I wholeheartedly nominate my supervisor for his exceptional support of my Army Reserve service. He has demonstrated unwavering support and understanding of the unique demands that come with being a member of the Army Reserve.”

Brewer works in the company’s Buffalo, N.Y. area office and observed the Patriot Award presentation ceremony via a video link. In Lt. Col. Brewer’s absence, the award presentation event was coordinated and hosted by U.S. Army Reservist Maj. Kevin Lewandowski who works in the Conshohocken office. The surprise presentation to Kevgas was held in the company’s main lobby and was attended by 15 of Kevgas’ colleagues; a catered luncheon followed.

Among Colliers Engineering and Design representatives attending the award presentation were Regional Director, Highway and Traffic Engineering Maurice Rached and Chief People Officer/Human Resources Allison Colantuoni.

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Jeffrey Hill, Pennsylvania Southeast Area volunteer. Hill 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.” Hill 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.”

In addition to presenting a Patriot Award, Hill obtained a Statement of Support. The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment 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.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Hill. “I am asking all Southeast Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

Colliers Engineering and Design joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Hill added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Colliers Engineering and Design is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

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, a 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–R): Regional Director, Highway and Traffic Engineering Rached, Maj. Lewandowski, ESGR Volunteer Hill, Patriot Award recipient Kevgas, and Chief People Officer/Human Resources Colantuoni.