RICHLAND, Wash. – Mark Rivers, regional manager at Burns & McDonnell, was presented with a Patriot Award, by Judy West, east central chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Rivers was nominated by Wyoming Air National Guardsman Maj. Gregory Smith, a project manager at Burns & McDonnell. The Patriot Award was presented at the opening of the Burns & McDonnell Richland Office, which Smith leads.
“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said West. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
“Mark Rivers has been very supportive of my military service and actively seeks ways to make sure this is recognized around the company and works to make sure I am able to advance both my military and civilian career,” said Smith.
“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 West. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”
“Burns & McDonnells is a military-friendly company and has several programs in pace to support military members,” said Smith. “For partial weeks that I am away on military orders, Burns & McDonnell continues my weekly salary so that there are less impacts caused by my military service.”
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. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/WA.
Pictured: Mark Rivers (far right), regional manager at Burns & McDonnell, was presented with a Patriot Award, by Judy West (far left), east central chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Rivers was nominated by Wyoming Air National Guardsman Maj. Gregory Smith (middle), a project manager at Burns & McDonnell. The Patriot Award was presented at the opening of the Burns & McDonnell Richland Office, which Smith leads.