RALEIGH, N.C. – Capital Area Workforce Development’s Buisness Engagment Director, Barbara Brothers, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award recently for the extraordinary support she provides her employee Staff Sgt. Rodriquis Stewart of the North Carolina Air National Guard.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve in the National Guard or Reserves,” said Ken Oppenheimer, Area Chair for the North Carolina Committee of ESGR. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s reserve components.”

“National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said State Chair Ed Hamilton. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness a of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/NC

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Mr. Ken Oppenheimer (l), Ms. Barbara Brothers, Buisness Engagment Director (c) and Staff Sgt. Rodriquis Stewart after the presentation of the Patriot Award to Ms. Brothers at the Capital Area Workforce Development offices in Raleigh, N.C. (photo by Capital Area Workforce Development staff)