POTTSTOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Traffic Planning and Design Inc. 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 during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year.
Traffic Planning and Design Inc. Construction Manager Moe Elghawy was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Tyler Sivak, of C Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.
Keith Dotts, a Pennsylvania Southeast Area ESGR Employer Outreach Volunteer, presented the Patriot Awards to Elghawy. In presenting the awards, Dotts commented: “It was an honor to pay tribute to those companies and employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. Traffic Planning and Design has over five percent of its staff that currently serve in the Reserve forces, and there is no better way to pay tribute to all its employees.”
Upon receiving the Patriot Award, Elghawy said, “I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Department of Defense’s ESGR office and will continue to support our service members the best I can.”
Traffic Planning and Design Inc. Vice President Anthony Dougherty was present for the award presentation. In addition to presenting a Patriot Award to Elghawy, Dotts obtained a Statement of Support from Dougherty. The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Dotts. “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.”
Traffic Planning and Design Inc. joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Dotts added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Traffic Planning and Design Inc. 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, 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.