MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Army National Guard Warrant Officer Nathan Jacobs presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his supervisor, Colin Barr of Excel Energy Company. The award was given recently at the company’s offices in downtown Minneapolis.

Jacobs was very appreciative of Barr’s and the company’s support and assistance with his Guard duties and wanted to honor him and the company for their continued support.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriot Award for support provided directly to the nominating Service Member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

In addition to receiving a Patriot Award, Mr. Barr signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming 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 vale’s, 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.

Also present was Bob Gagne, an ESGR Minnesota Committee member. ESGR is a Department of Defense Office 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. ESGR celebrates over 52 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers.

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

Photo left to right: Warrant Officer Nathan Jacobs, Colin Barr, and Bob Gagne ESGR