May 2014 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.
Colorado ESGR Annual Awards Banquet to be held May 30th The Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Colorado Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is hosting its annual awards banquet May 30th at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Ave, Denver, Colorado, 80237. “It means a lot to us to recognize and honor those employers who support our members of the National Guard and Reserve,” said Chairman Dick Young, Colorado Committee for the ESGR. The Awards Banquet with a no-host reception will begin at 6 p.m., May 30th, 2014, the formal program to commence at 7:30 p.m. During the banquet we will award Colorado‟s top employers, including three that will receive the prestigious Pro Patria award and three with Above and Beyond Award. As many of you know, the Pro Patria Award is the highest level award the state committee can bestow. The City of Montrose will be presented with an award for being “Most Veteran Friendly Little City in Colorado.” Dress is cocktail/semi-formal. “The “Pro Patria” Award is presented Freedom Award Winners annually by each ESGR committee to those FY13 employers that have provided the most exceptional support,” said Brent Hamilton, Colorado Springs Utilities Support Technician of the Colorado DaVita Inc. Committee. “These employers show their support of our national defense through Pro Patria leadership practices and personnel policies Ball Aerospace that support their employees who serve in the military.” & Technology JG Management Systems U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Above and Beyond Charles Schwab Level 3 Communication W.J. Bradley Mortgage
“The “Above and Beyond” Award is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees,” said Young. “It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees.” Continued next page…….
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This is our annual event to highlight the accomplishments of the state‟s top military-friendly employers, as nominated by their military employees and pay tribute to those “serving our nation in the National Guard and Reserve, and to the employers whose continued support enables our National Guard and Reserve soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen to defend our country with honor and distinction.” Our guest speaker will be Former Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter. Also attending will be Executive ESGR Director, Ronald Young, and Major General H. Michael Edwards, Adjutant General, Colorado
Bill Ritter Former Colorado Governor
Ron Young National Executive ESGR Director,
Major General H. Michael Edwards Adjutant General, Colorado
Click on names for links to Bios
The 88th Regional Support Command (RSC), headquartered at Fort McCoy, is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC). The 88th RSC is one of four services and base operations (BASOPS) commands and covers the northwest quadrant of the country. The 88th RSC consists of 19 states from Michigan and Ohio on the east to the Pacific Coast and from Utah, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri to the Northern U.S. border. More than 55,000 Soldiers, 635 units, and 334 facilities receive support from the 88th RSC. The 88th RSC's Directorate of Human Resources (DHR) is responsible for the personnel life cycle management functions in support of all Army Reserve commands and units within the 19-state area. It coordinates the command's morale, welfare and recreation, equal opportunity and human relations programs, develops and oversees strength management programs, coordinates activities with retention personnel, develops regional personnel annexes of contingency plans, and administers and manages the RSC's military and civilian personnel programs. DHR works closely with senior leadership and other directorates in providing oversight of work force environment and engagement. ESGR maintains a booth at these briefing events to keep Army Reserve personnel updated on ESGR as part of our Military Outreach program.
In March, Colorado ESGR presented two LinkedIn training sessions that consisted of:
Understanding the importance of personal branding in the job search Creating and defining a Value Proposition (What makes us unique) Getting started with LinkedIn (Basic strategies) Advanced strategies for LinkedIn H2H understanding and overview
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ESGR Selects Colorado Employers, J.G. Management Systems, Inc. and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver Regional Office as Finalists for the 2014 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
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30 Employers Recognized for Exemplary National Guard and Reserve Support
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced J.G. Management Systems, Inc. of Grand Junction, Colorado, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver Regional Office of Lakewood, Colorado, as finalists for the 2014 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the Department of Defense‟s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees. The top 30 employers were selected from a pool of 2,864 nominations submitted earlier this year by National Guard and Reserve service members. The employers selected as Freedom Award finalists distinguish themselves by supporting their National Guard and Reserve employees through policies and initiatives that go above and beyond in assisting and encouraging their military service. J.G. Management Systems, Inc.‟s nominator, an Air Force Reservist, highlighted the company‟s dedication to service members and veterans through the purchase of family members‟ plane tickets during employee deployments, offering financial support to attend training and education events, and hosting luncheons and dinners that honor military employees. J.G. Management also provides financial support to non-employees, donating directly to an injured service member and placing more than 1,600 American flags on grave sites. The company is dedicated to hiring veterans and service members with more than a third of the workforce comprised of current and former members of the military. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver Regional Office‟s nominator, an Air National Guardsman, highlighted the creation of the Military and Veterans Employment Expo, a partnership with government entities, local Chambers of Commerce, and other veteran related organizations that hosts from 200 to 1,200 attendees and offers career building session for veterans and service members. Supervisors maintain contact with family members of deployed service members, offering childcare, grocery shopping and snow removal to ease the burden of deployment. The office participates in local events that support National Guard and Reserve members and veterans in the community. “These 30 employers have gone above and beyond to provide our military men and women as well as their families the absolute best support possible,” said ESGR Executive Director Ronald G. Young. “An employer's support is just as critical as a military member‟s family support and we are proud to have a way to recognize these outstanding employers through this program.” 3
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Reservists share C-130 flight, military experience with civilian employers by Maj. Corinna Moylan 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123406723
4/9/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Traditional Reserve Airmen have the challenge of balancing three elements in their lives: family, the military and their civilian employment. To say "thank you" to civilian employers and inform prospective employers, the 302nd Airlift Wing welcomed 43 employers during the Wing's Annual Employer Day April 4, 2014. The participants included 13 employers of 302nd AW Citizen Airmen ranging from medical professionals to a supervisor with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as well as Denver-area employers hosted by Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and assists them in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. The employers experienced first-hand how Reserve Airmen support the wing's primary mission of tactical airlift and learned about other mission capabilities such as C-130 aerial firefighting, aeromedical evacuation and survival, evasion, resistance and escape. The day's events included experiencing a C-130 Hercules orientation flight over Pikes Peak, Waldo Canyon and back to Peterson Air Force Base. "I didn't know what to expect, but was delighted to be invited," said Cheryl Parrish, vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association. Parrish, who employs Staff Sgt. Teresa Black from the 39th Aerial Port Squadron, said she did not realize the scope of how actively involved Reservists are not only far away, but "right here in our own state." "I was moved. I happened to be here for the recent fires and have such a great respect," she said. "I have a new perspective of what my employee does and how hard reservists work. It's pretty amazing." Immediately following the ESGR hosted lunch the employers took part in a visit to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. "It was a tremendous experience and very informative," said Wesley Cox, the director of pharmacy for Palliative Pharmacy of Pikes Peak-Pikes Peak Hospice and the employer of Master Sgt. Deborah Eaton from the 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron. To acknowledge the importance of reaching out to employers of Reservists, Col. Courtney Arnold, 302nd AW commander explained that, for a traditional reservist, it is like sitting on a three-legged stool. Arnold said each leg represents the Reservist's family, civilian employer and their military commitment. "It is a constant balancing act to keep the stool from falling over. But it can be done and it is done with the support of employers like you," Arnold said addressing the visiting employers. At the end of the day, Arnold presented each employer with a certificate of appreciation and an Air Force employer pin, signifying the important relationship between civilian employers and the members of the Air Force Reserve
Center Photo: Master Sgt. Chris Linquist, a C-130 loadmaster and 302nd Airlift Wing reservist, talks with Sara Dawson, a state procurement analyst for the Bureau of Land Management, during a training flight above Pikes Peak April 4, 2014. Dawson joined 42 others for a day designed to educate employers on the 4 uniqueness of the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Butterfield) 4 More photos next page……………..
Colorado ESGR Bosslift, April 4, 2014 .
Peterson AFB & U.S. Northern Command
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Click on links for websites
Ayuda Receives Patriot Awards from Office of Secretary of Defense, ESGR April 10, 2014: Ayuda‟s owners, CEO, Maria Velez (group photo, far right), President, Sonya Yungeberg, (below, left), and Vice President, Ben Huggins, were awarded Patriot Awards by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Ayuda was nominated for the award, by Gus Thornton, a Major in the Army Reserves (center, Ayuda group photo, next to Ben Huggins, his former supervisor). Nominations for the Patriot Award are made by employees serving in the Reserve or National Guard for efforts made to support Citizen Warriors through awide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Gus cited Ayuda‟s management‟s support of him before, during, and after deployment and Ayuda personnel‟s generous support with cards and care packages during Gus‟s deployment to Afghanistan in late 2012 and 2013, where he served as Directorate of Public Works, Orders in Council, with the 652nd Regional Support Group, at Kandahar Army Base. “The support you gave me and by extension my family during my deployment to Afghanistan was amazing and I was truly humbled by your generosity, patience, and understanding,” said Gus. The awards were presented to Ayuda by Ms. Becky Small, ESGR volunteer, at a going-away party for Gus, who is beginning a new job, closer to his home. We wish Gus every continued success! He will always be a part of team Ayuda. In his nomination, Major Thornton said;
Sonia Yungeberg
Sonia Gutierrez
Major Gus Thornton
Gus Thornton
Becky Small
Left to right, Becky Small, Maria Velez, Ben Huggins, Jay Miller, Gus Thornton
“I had been at my current job for 12 days when I was notified of an involuntary transfer for the purpose of mobilization/deployment to Afghanistan. Because I was in the very early stages of my 90 day probationary period, my employer would have been well within their right to terminate me. Instead, however, they were extremely accommodating and understanding of my situation. Ayuda made the mobilization/deployment process easy on me by doing the following: 1. Holding my job for me, until my return. 2. Allowing me to begin my leave of absence 4 weeks ahead of my mobilization date, in order to spend as much time as possible with my family. 3. Upon my return, allowing, and even encouraging me to take the maximum amount of time off according to USERRA before returning to work, in order to spend said time with my family. 4. Maintaining steady and encouraging contact with me via email throughout my deployment, including sending over 25 care packages to me during my 9 months overseas (I have pictures to prove 22 of those packages). I am extremely grateful to Ayuda for making the mobilization/deployment process as easy as it could possibly be on myself and my family, and believe they should receive the highest possible recognition.”
Press release courtesy of Ayuda Companies
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Statement of Support (SOS) Signings
Pictured Left to right; Chris Harris, Laura Whitehead, Russ Ball, Ron Kinning, Michelle Vincent, and James Garrett Left to Right; Chris Harris, Laura Whitehead, Russ Ball, Ron Kinning, Michelle Vincent, James Garrett
Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Mr. Ron Kinning, founder and owner, signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on April 14, 2014 The signing ceremony occurred at their Corporate Headquarters of RK Mechanical. James Garrett, Colorado ESGR volunteer, Laura Whitehead, employment transition coordinator for H2H and ESGR, met with Mr. Kinning, Michelle Vincent, people services director, Chris Harris, corporate recruiter, and Russ Ball, labor resource manager. The focus of this employment meeting was to discuss the companyâ€&#x;s utilization of H2H and Colorado ESGRâ€&#x;s upcoming Military & Veterans Employment Expo as tools in meeting their recruiting and hiring needs, especially towards hiring RC component members and veterans. The company expects a large hiring of base of service members and placing them in their highly successful apprentice training program.
Kinning, as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, recognizes what Guard and Reserve members, as well as all veterans, can bring to the employee cadre of his company. Over 1000 employees of all diverse background work at RK Mechanical and he wants the company to be at the forefront of hiring military service members.
ESGR volunteer, Delos Howard presents Statement of Support to Dennis Bryant, General Manager, Cobalt Club in Colorado Springs
ESGR volunteer, Delos Howard presents Statement of Support to Nicole Paulin, Owner of Relax Mode Massage Studio in Colorado Springs.
ESGR volunteer, Delos Howard presents Statement of Support to John W. Gilbert, Partner/Manager of Double Oasis Barber and Beauty Shop in Fountain
David A. Zallar, Owner of TriGem International Diamond CO in Colorado Springs signed a Statement of Support presented by ESGR volunteer, Delos Howard.
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Statement of Support (SOS) Signings The 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.
Mr. Carl Simpson (right), Director, Denver 911 Communications reaffirmed his commitment to Guard and Reserve and veterans by signing his third Statement of Support over the last 5 years. The Statement of Support was presented by ESGR volunteer James Garrett.
Mr. Howard Walters, Director of Operations for Golden Corral Restaurant signed a Statement of Support for all nine stores that he will distribute in his region. The multiple Statements of Support were presented by ESGR volunteer Mary Miller in Colorado Springs. She remarked that “Mr. Walters doesn’t know exactly how many Reservists Guardsmen or Veterans he currently has between all 9 stores, but if he could get more he would! He echoed what so many other employers have said before – military employees understand how to work, not just how to get a job.” Golden Corral has been noteworthy in their efforts to thank veterans and active duty military members, Golden Corral established Military Appreciation Monday in 2001. Military Appreciation Monday is a special night set aside to offer our military heroes a free „thank you‟ meal. In the 13 years since Golden Corral began its annual Military Appreciation Monday, over 4 million free “thank you” meals have been served, and Golden Corral restaurants and their guests, with the help of local military service members, have raised over $8.8 million dollars for Disabled American Veterans. A second effort is Camp Corral that Golden Corral founder, James Maynard began in 2011 in which supporting children of military service members was a natural extension of the their ongoing military appreciation program. It‟s for the children (ages 8 to 15) of brave military service members who have been injured or fallen protecting our freedom, our way of life. Camp Corral is a wonderful chance for kids to share amazing adventures through boating, swimming, hiking, archery and doing just about 8 everything you can do enjoying fresh air and nature. Click on graphics or links for websites
Higher Education
Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs
PTS
Where to Go for Veterans Programs
Homeless Services Emergency Services
Learn of Groups Offering No Cost Services for Veterans
Job Hunting Assistance
Project Sanctuary
Job Placement
Project Healing Waters
Legal Assistance
Phoenix Multi-sport
Child Care
Saturday, May 24, 2014 08:00 - 13:00 Wings over the Rockies Museum Organized by Denver Area Rotary Clubs & Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Co-hosted by: Denver Southeast Rotary & Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Honorary Chairmen: Senator Hank Brown and Senator Mark Udall Our Mission: To show America‟s Veterans appreciation for what they have done, have been willing to do for our country and to assist them with tools for success following their service. Our Goal: For you to leave better prepared to enhance your life through personal growth The Program: Free Hot Breakfast 0800 - 0930 Keynote speech: Major General Jay Lindell, Colorado Aerospace & Defense Industry Chanpion Breakout opportunities - Success Fair 0930 - 1300 Your time to interact with those who can help you make a better life for yourself. You will have over three hours to visit booths and tables where many different resources are available. To Register Go to: http://successforveterans.org/ Click on „Register for this Event‟
Colorado ESGR hosted 53 ESGR volunteers for leadership training. This National ESGR Leadership Training program was held at the Hyatt Regency (downtown at the Convention Center) on Friday, May 2, Saturday, May 3, and Sunday morning, May 4. The Volunteer Leadership Training Program is a two and half day program that is the foundation of ESGR‟s national training effort intended to promote professional development of volunteers holding key leadership positions and emerging key leaders. This is also an important forum for attendees to network with their counterparts from other ESGR State committees.
Click on links for websites
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PDF file on June 7 Bosslift
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STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Events Calendar May 22 - MVEE Hiring Event May 24 - Rotary Club Breakfast for Veterans May 30 - Annual Employer Awards Banquet May 31 - Annual Planning & Award Conference (APAC) June 6-8 - Advanced Ombudsman Course, Providence, RI June 7 - Boss Lift to Ft Carson, Colorado Springs June 13-14 - COESGR Leadership Academy August 8-10 - ESGR Volunteer Leadership Training (VLTP) Crystal City, VA
Brent Hamilton - Program Support Technician 720-250-1176 brent.l.hamilton2.ctr@mail.mil Chandra Hance – AST-Administrative Support Technician 720.250.1189 chandra.l.hance.ctr@mail.mil Laura Whitehead - Employment Transition Coordinator - Colorado Hero2Hired (H2H) Program C: 720-338-7171 lwhitehead@a-teamsolutions.com DoD Contractor - Team ATS/IFF Data Solutions
COESGR Business Office 12200 East Briarwood Avenue, Suite 160 Centennial, Co 80112 FAX: 720.250.1199
State ESGR Chair View our Flickr photo page
Richard E. Young, RADM, USN (Ret)
COLORADO ESGR DIRECTORS
Military Outreach CSM Rob Lawrence—Director
Must Read!!
Ordering Information Here…...
Colorado Springs
Bev Skinner - Co-director Dave Pruett - Co-director EO Coordinator, Major Corporations- Mark Saunders Bill Price - Area Coordinator
Mark Hustedt Mary Miller
Training
Cortez Area Robert Valencia
Denver Area Bruce Erek Rick White
Douglas County Area Jimmy Graham Bob Rotruck
Lynn Albi Paula Kauffman - Dep. Dir.
Estes Park Area Chair
Special Programs
Open
Fritz Ihrig - Co-Director Kip Cheroutes - Co-Director
Fort Lyon/Tri County Leanne Wheeler
Larimer/Weld County
Liz Kelpis
Ralph Trenary
Public Affairs
Grand Junction
Sandy Tiegen - Director James Garrett - Deputy
Employer Initiatives Zach Jacobsen - Co-Director Dawanta Parks - Co-Director Chase Dinkler - Deputy MVEE Coordinator - Jason Shireman Bosslift Coordinator - Brian Bartony
COESGR
Boulder/Longmont
Employer Outreach
National Guard Liaison
National Site News and Information Join Facebook and Twitter Become a fan of Colorado ESGR
EMPLOYER OUTREACH AREA CHAIRS Brad Gallup Tonia Martinez
Bill Belz - Director Martin Cobb - Dep. Director Aaron Lechner - Dep. Dir.
to this Colorado NG Year in Review magazine
Tom Mills, Brigadier General, CONG (Ret).
Pete Callaway - Dep. Dir.
Ombudsmen
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State ESGR Vice Chair
Lou Brackett David Popham
Montrose Open
Pueblo Harry Vogel Jon Brude
Steamboat Springs Jim Stanko
COESGR Twitter COESGR LinkedIn
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. Send comments regarding this publication to the Newsletter Editor: James Garrett at coloradoesgr@yahoo.com 11
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