ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 10, 2025) –­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve proudly announces the 2024 Regional Volunteers of the Year (VOTY). Volunteers who serve in following functional and operational areas were nominated by their respective State Committee for the prestigious honor of being named Volunteer of the Year: Military Outreach, Employer Outreach, Public Affairs, Training, Ombudsman, and Operations.

Being selected as a Regional Volunteer of the Year is a great honor that can be both an example and an inspiration for all volunteers. Those chosen as regional volunteers will now be considered for selection as National Volunteer of the year in their respective categories.

Here are the names of the 2024 regional volunteers of the year:

2024 Employer Outreach Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Mr. Williams Peters   – Northeast – Maryland

Mr. Chris Curry – Southeast – Alabama

Mr. Cecil Macklin – Central - Texas

Mr. Jason Semerakis – West -Nevada

2024 Military Outreach Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Mr. John Dill – Northeast – Delaware

Mr. Michael “Rob” Lawrence – Southeast – Florida

Mr. Terry Braddock – Central – Texas

Mr. Gregory Malkasian – West – Oregon

2024 Ombudsman Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Mr. Terry Curran – Northeast – Pennsylvania

Mr. Arden Dickey – Southeast - Florida

Mr. Jim Freese – Central - Iowa

Mr. Harold Elkan – West – California

2024 Public Affairs Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Ms. Monica Hock – Southeast - Florida

Ms. Jayni Sech – Central – Ohio

Ms. Jennifer Liddy – West – Arizona

2024 Training Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Mr. Tim Garth – Central - Ohio

Mr. Richard Thibodo – West - Oregon

2024 Operations Regional Volunteers of the Year:

Mr. James Astor – Northeast - Pennsylvania

Mr. David Gayle – Southeast – South Carolina

Mr. Mathew Meyer – Central – Minnesota

Mr. Cecil Owens – West – Oregon

The Regional Volunteers of the Year are further evaluated by members of the appropriate ESGR Subcommittee and Headquarters ESGR personnel to determine National Volunteers of the Year in each function/mission category.

Being selected as a Regional Volunteer of the Year is a great honor, an honor that can be both an example and an inspiration for all volunteers. Those chosen as regional volunteers will now be considered for selection as National Volunteer of the year in their respective categories. Without your strong support and intent to recognize your volunteers, these awards would not be possible.

About ESGR

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, 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 develops and promotes supportive work environments for Service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. It also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. To learn more about ESGR, part of the Defense Support Services Center, visit www.ESGR.mil.