MOUNT JOY, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that GFI Transport signed a Statement of Support for their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is appreciative for all Commonwealth employers that demonstrate their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Pennsylvania ESGR South–Centra Area Chair Jim Astor obtained the Statement of Support from GFI Transport’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Garber. Participating in the signing event was GFI Transport’s Founder Phil Garber. The Statement of Support confirms 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 values, 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.

On signing the Statement of Support, Garber said: “we have a Guard service member who recently deployed, and the company wanted to do all that it can to demonstrate its support for our men and women who serve in America's National Guard and Reserve forces. The company employs several veterans and is always looking to employ veterans and Guard and Reserve service members.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Astor. “I am asking all South–Central 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.”

GFI Transport joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Astor added: “By signing the Statement of Support, GFI Transport, 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, a 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/PA

Photo: GFI Transport President and CEO Ryan Garber, GFI Transport Founder Phil Garber, and Pennsylvania ESGR South–Central Area Chair Astor