January 2013
Welcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educate, inform, and promote service by and to ESGR while fulfilling our mission of supporting Employers, Guard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR Volunteers.
MVEE - MILITARY/VETERAN EMPLOYMENT EXPO Location: LeaderQuest Building 6825 South Galena Centennial, Colorado 80112
January 16-18, 2013 Statistics show that our veteran unemployment is higher than their civilian counterparts. That's why key federal and state agencies, together with numerous nongovernmental entities, have banded together to organize a three-day expo to provide needed and essential assistance to veterans and military personnel seeking employment in Colorado.
REGISTER NOW (Seats are limited) www.mvee.org (Employers, Volunteers, & Participants) Join "MVEE of Colorado" group on LinkedIn for Updates/Questions/Comments. This EXPO is FREE for All, the ONLY thing we ask Employers is to; ACTUALLY have JOBS and are HIRING - Send a Hiring representative to the Expo, Report results to us after the EXPO (e.g. Did you interview anyone, hire or set up any interviews?) Take time with each participant and do what you say you are going to do.... January 16th, 17th, 2013 8am - 4pm Classes for active duty, reservist, veterans, and spouses There will also be 30-40 Mentors; volunteering their time for anyone to sit down and talk with them about resumes, interviewing, networking, etc. FACT: Great place to get noticed; previous events have shown that many have been hired in the first two days. Employers: Register as a volunteer and be a Mentor (1/2 day or Full day) Participants: Must register for each class and must attend 4 out of the 6 classes on one or both days in order to attend the first two hours of the hiring event on Jan. 18th. 1
Military/Veteran Employment Expo January 18th, 2013 9am - 4pm (EMPLOYERS DAY) 9am - 11am - Open ONLY for those who attended one of the first two days OR attended TAP in the last six months (bring certification). 11am - 4pm - Open to ALL Active Duty, Reservist, Veterans, and Spouses Employers: We highly encourage direct hires, break out interviews and/or having the participants leave with a follow up/interview Schools: Allowing 20 Schools to attend, we have a separate area. Register NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT EVENT!!!!! This EXPO is being conducted in partnership with the Colorado Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), the Colorado National Guard (CONG), Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training (DOL VETS), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Return 2 Work, LeaderQuest, and other local partners.
LeaderQuest Building 6825 South Galena Centennial, Colorado 80112
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On December 12, 2012, Colorado’s ESGR Chair, Retired Rear Admiral Dick Young, presented to Lieutenant General Michael C. Gould, the Seven Seals Award before the entire senior staff of the U.S. Air Force Academy. This is in recognition for the outstanding support the Air Force Academy, under General Gould’s leadership, has provided to Colorado ESGR over the past three years. The Academy has sponsored and led numerous BOSSLIFTS for ESGR and senior corporate leaders to spend a day there that includes a top level briefing by the Academy’s senior staff, sitting in on a cadet class, often taught by an Air Force Reserve Officer, and then sharing lunch with the cadets. “Through these frequent and well organized BOSSLIFTS, we have been able to show many corporate leaders the great asset that Colorado has in the Air Force Academy located just north of Colorado Springs, and the fine work that Air Force Reserve members do while serving on active duty,” Young stated. As part of presentation ceremony, General Gould signed the ESGR’s Statement of Support which will be placed where all visitors to the Academy will be able to see it.
On December 21, 2012, ESGR’s prestigious Seven Seals Award was presented to the President of Frontier Airlines, David Siegel, at a ceremony at the corporate offices of Frontier close to Denver’s International Airport . Dick Young, Colorado’s ESGR Chair, in presenting the Award pointed out that Frontier Airlines, through the efforts of President Siegel and his senior staff, have followed through on their firm commitment to hire military veterans and Guard and Reserve personnel. Because of that continued and unbending effort, 45 have been hired in just the last several months. The company, through its continuing communications with its traveling public, its employee force, and others, urges all to recognize the value and worth of our Guard and Reserve personnel and military members to the company’s ongoing employment effort. “Those who have served in the military simply make outstanding employees,” remarked a senior staff member at the ceremony. The Seven Seals Award is presented at both the state and national levels to honor a wide array of support for service members from all seven Reserve Components and is the only ESGR award that bridges both the employer and volunteer recognition programs. It was created to publicly recognize individuals who provide significant achievement and initiative, to include the efforts of the more than 4,800 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis. 3
honor employers for their superior support to Guard and Reserve
ESGR Patriot Awards - members. Award nominations must be made by active National Guard and Reserve members or their families. Richard Croft, left,, manager of a global team for P.E. Cummins, Inc., was presented with the Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) by ESGR volunteer Adam Smith. Croft was nominated by Timothy Mantsch, who also serves our country as a Second Lieutenant, Army National Guard. In nominating Croft, Mantsch stated, “Richard has been extremely accepting and accommodating, as well as supportive, throughout my enlistment and subsequent absences while on duty with the Indiana Army National Guard. Richard manages a global team with limited resources and a fixed head count, so his accommodation of my service regularly infringes on his capacity and capabilities as I manage several key functions associated with the primary objectives of our organization. He has never once complained about my absence and the undue stress it places on him and my co-workers, nor has he ever failed to defend my service when it is questioned by our customers who feel the immediate impact of my absence. He is a champion of my endeavor, and he supports me both in this civilian role as well as in my military role.” Debra L Pummill, supervisor at USDA-National Resources Conservation Service (NCRS)-CO was presented with a Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Ms. Pummill was nominated by and recognized for her outstanding support of valued employee, Kent Amott, who serves our country as Staff Sergeant , U.S. Air Force National Guard. The award was presented by ESGR volunteer, Adam Smith in a ceremony attended by co-workers at Denver Federal Center. In addition to reporting for drill duties one week-end per month, SSgt. Amott is deployed at least twice a year for three to four weeks each time, during which his salary and benefits continue. “With a staff of three,” he says, “I know this places an undue hardship on Debra and my co-worker. Yet they are fully supportive of my service and make me feel welcome upon my return. She accommodates my travel needs and time off for duty as they arise, and I have never felt restricted in performing my duties. I appreciate the sacrifice and support offered by Debra and the people at NRCS-Colorado.”
L -r; Debra Pummill, Kent F. Amott; Adam Smith
Luann Lesnansky, supervisor in the Jefferson County branch of Correctional Healthcare Companies, was presented with the Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) by ESGR volunteer, Adam Smith. Luann Lesnansky was nominated by staff nurse Robert Cortez, who also serves our country as a Master at Arms 1st Class Petty Officer, U. S. Navy Reserve. Having been called to active duty three times during the past year, with each tour lasting from two to four weeks, he credits Lesnansky and the whole department with superior support in covering his shift, scheduling properly, and bringing him back to the same position. He especially appreciates the posThe presentation ceremony was in the presence of itive attitude of everyone with management staff and Jefferson County Sheriff whom he works. “No flack,” he Left to right, are Adam Smith, officials. says. “They have all been super Luann Lesnansky, and supportive.” Luann says that Robert Cortez Robert Cortez is superb in his position, and also that, “We are so proud of Rob as he does his job in his military career.” Correctional Healthcare Companies feel thankful to the number of Guard and Reserve they employ, noting that, “. . .without them, we would not be free to do our jobs.” 4
Jennifer Ray, Art Waggoner ESGR volunteer, and Cassie Powell
ESGR volunteers, Art Waggoner and Mark Craig, presented a Patriot Award to Woodward Inc. in Fort Collins. This award was presented on behalf of their employee, Todd Vedder, who is a TSgt with the 140th TFW of the Colorado National Air Guard. TSgt Vedder is currently deployed to an undisclosed location and will return to Colorado sometime in early 2013. The award was presented to Jennifer Ray, Manager, Engineered Systems at Woodward and Todd's supervisor. They were also introduced to Cassie Powell, Field Service Coordinator, Turbine Systems, Sales, Service & Marketing. Cassie is responsible for de-conflicting Todd's drill times during the regular year.
ESGR Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.
Ms. Margaret Sabin, right, President and CEO of Penrose St Francis Hospital signed an SOS on behalf of the 11 Reserve and Guardsmen currently employed at the hospital, and all our veterans who may someday work there or be cared for there. Penrose-St. Francis Health Services is proud to be named one of "America's 50 Best Hospital's" for 5 years in a row (2008 - 2012) by HealthGrades, the only recipient in Colorado and the Top 1 percent in the nation. ESGR volunteer, Vernon Crow was introduced to Brenda Rowell, Walmart store manager, at a Lion’s Club meeting in Lafayette. As an ESGR Ombudsman, he was able to talk about ESGR and also resolve an USERRA issue she had. Vern asked Brenda if she had had an opportunity to sign an ESGR Statement of Support, explained the program to her and she then expressed her desire to support the program. At a later time, Vern presented a Statement of Support to her which also coincided with Walmart’s Corporate Executives signing a Statement of Support on Veterans Day. Vern said “that when I took the SOS in for her to sign, I told her what Walmart Corporation was doing on Veteran’s Day,” and Brenda remarked, "I will have one of my own as well as the copy I get from Corporate". *The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) is a federal law that establishes
rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers. 5
Click on pictures or links for websites
January 2013 JANUARY 16-18 Military Veterans Employment Expo. Centennial, CO 19 Ombudsman Training (COESGR) 21 Freedom Award nomination period ends. 22-23 H2H Van will be at Peterson AFB 25-26 H2H Van will at the Grand Junction Colorado National Guard Readiness Center (See H2H.jobs for Van information)
Employment Resources H2H.jobs www.H2H.jobs H2H offers valuable resources for Service members by way of hiring fairs, job training, career assessment and military skills translation. Check https://h2h.jobs/livehiringevents for a calendar of events.
Colorado Dept. of Labor - Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) - http://www.dol.gov/vets/ VETS serves America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.
Connecting Colorado http:// www.connectingcolorado.com/
is part of a state and county-run system that delivers immediate, tangible results for your future. At this secure website, you can post your résumé, apply for a specific job or do a self-directed job search through any of twentytwo different occupational sectors.
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STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION Chandra Hance – AST-Administrative Support Technician 720.250.1189 chandra.hance@us.army.mil Michelle Olson - ETC (Employment Transition Coordinator 720-250-1195 Michelle.k.olson@us.army.mil
COESGR Business Office 12200 East Briarwood Avenue, Suite 160 Centennial, Co 80112 FAX: 720.250.1199
State ESGR Chair Richard E. Young, RADM, USN (Ret) dickyoung123@gmail.com COLORADO ESGR DIRECTORS Military Outreach Mary Rathje - Co-director mkrathje@aol.com Joe Ely- Co-director elytj@aol.com Employer Outreach Bev Skinner - Co-director jtsbbs@gmail.com Dave Pruett - Co-director PruettDE@comcast.net Ombudsmen Bill Belz - Director ewbii@msn.com Gary Brown - Deputy
hongrb24@gmail.com Training Lynn Albi lynnalbi@aol.com Special Programs Kip Cheroutes kcheroutes@ Emgacommunications.com National Guard Liaison Vacant Public Affairs Iris Fontera IFontera@aol.com
State ESGR Vice Chair Tom Mills, Brigadier General, CONG (Ret). meels52@msn.com EMPLOYER OUTREACH AREA CHAIRS Boulder/Longmont Rebecca Sogn rlregan@me.com Colorado Springs Mark Hustedt rockymtnfun@gmail.com Mary Miller mary.miller3@us.army.mil Cortez Area Robert Valencia relampagosvt@msn.com Denver Area South Paula Kauffman paula1299@aol.com Denver Area North Michael Mitchel michael@oc-consulting.com Douglas County Area Lorin Ricker Lorin@RickerNet.us Andrew Montoya andrew.montoya@usarec.army.mil Estes Park Area Chair Ed Acela
Fraudman@yahoo.com Fort Collins
Kelly Mazezka - Deputy
Ralph Trenary
Kelly@kellymaze.com
trenaryr3@gmail.com
Employer Initiative Program Director Fritz Ihrig fgihrig@msn.com
Grand Junction Lou Brackett patriot08@bresnan.net Pueblo Harry Vogel hotspot58@cs.com
Colorado’s ESGR Electronic Newsletter is published not only for the information and benefit of the members of the Colorado ESGR but most importantly to our Guard and Reserve members and their employers. The contents of this newsletter highlight activities and events conducted by Colorado ESGR. 6 Send comments regarding this publication to the Newsletter Editor: James Garrett at esgrcolorado@yahoo.com