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August 2013

Welcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educate, Welcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educate, 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, inform, and promote service by and to ESGR while fulfilling our mission of supporting Employers, 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.Guard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR Volunteers.Guard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR Volunteers.

Corporate Statement of Support Signing

by FirstBank of Colorado

On July 30, 2013, at the headquarters of FirstBank, Mr. John Ikard, President and CEO of FirstBank Holding Company, in the presence of his senior staff and leaders of Colorado ESGR, signed a corporate Statement of Support, as well as Statements of Support for all of the FirstBank’s branches. He indicated these were being sent to all of the bank’s branches, mounted in frames purchased by the bank, to be proudly displayed for bank’s customers to see first hand the support FirstBank gives to our service members.

John Ikard, recently elected as the Vice Chairman of the National Bankers Association, is a key member of the Colorado ESGR’s Senior Advisory Council, and has been particularly helpful and supportive of getting many of Colorado’s National Guard members who have recently returned from deployment to attend Colorado ESGR’s annual Awards Banquet.

Dick Young, State Chair of Colorado ESGR who attended the signing said “FirstBank takes very seriously its commitment to support our Guard and Reserve, and that support comes directly from the top down. It is such a pleasure to work with employers like FirstBank, as they certainly show the way all companies to follow.”

FirstBank is the second largest bank in Colorado with over $12 billion in assets, 2,000 employees and locations in California and Arizona as well as many in Colorado. After 49 years, its commitment to provide a high level of service for its customers and in the community has not changed.

By signing a statement of support with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), FirstBank’s leaders pledge

to:

We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA),

Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those 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 crisis, and in war.

FirstBank of Colorado

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Click links for more information….

Vigilant Guard: Employers recognized for supporting

National Guard employees BY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 1ST LT. JAMES S. GOFF, JOINT TASK FORCE-CENTENNIAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program said a unique ―thank you‖ to employers of Colorado National

Guardsman via a tour of Vigilant Guard exercise sites July 24.

Approximately 2,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from eight different states, along with hundreds of civilian medical personnel, first responders, role players and observer controllers, participated in this five-day event that began in Colorado Springs, Colo., and concluded in the Denver metropolitan area. Similar to the recent wildfires that ravaged Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico; and tornadoes that devastated Oklahoma in recent months; the training scenario was designed to test the Guard's reaction to catastrophic consequences of such events, and particularly the interagency coordination with civilian responders. The employers' visit included an overview of the Colorado National Guard's missions and roles in domestic emergency operations, as well as direct observation of exercise at the North Metro Fire Rescue District Complex in Northglenn, Colo. The objective of the visit, aptly called a BossLift, was to demonstrate the contributions National Guard members make in their communities, as well as the nation's defense, when called away from their civilian employers to serve. "My employer supporting me means that I'm able to serve my country and community in a way that also serves both my family and my company," said Air National Guard Capt. Conrad Evans, who worked as a logistics liaison officer in the Colorado National Guard's Joint Operations Center in Centennial, Colo., during the exercise. Though not in the community in a chemical suit like his more visible counterparts in the field, his contribution to the operation is one that his bosses wholeheartedly support. His employer, CenturyLink holds his job when he's deployed; backfills his position; and voluntarily pays the difference between paychecks when he's called to serve, so he doesn't have to suffer financial hardship. "Being able to support my family is my priority, and I know I don't have to be distracted by that while I'm deployed from my wife and kids," Evans said. Supporting link: COESGR

Bosslift!

….."Maintaining relationships with employers is important for service members," said Brent Hamilton, Colorado ESGR program manager, who noted that more that 660 Colorado National Guardsmen, and Reservists from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing missed at least three weeks of work when they were activated to support the four different Colorado wildfires in June.

Story courtesy of Colorado National Guard.

Vigilant Guard is a multi-state, multi-agency exercise focused on interagency coordination in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events in Colorado. U.S. Northern Command

and the National Guard Bureau sponsor this exercise.

Vigilant Guard Factsheet link

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COLORADO AIR GUARD M EMBER FILLS BRONCO'S OFFENSIVE NEEDS

By Staff Sgt. Christopher Gross

460th Space Wing

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (8/2/13) - After a long offseason and spending last year on the Denver Broncos practice squad, Benjamin Garland, a member of the Colorado Air National Guard, is ready to give it another go...

Garland, a Grand Junction, Colorado Native, said it's always been a dream of his to play for his favorite team...

What makes it even better, though, is the opportunity to also pursue his other

passion in life: serving his country. As a first lieutenant for the 140th Wing,

Colorado Air National Guard, Garland served his annual commitment during

the early part of 2013. Garland said his time with the Guard was valuable and

he learned quite a bit...

"I get to put on the two best uniforms in the entire world. I'm more proud

to wear each one, every day," Garland said.

Read the whole story here…..

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office was recognized on July 10, 2013 for their continuing support of their employees who serve our country in the National Guard and Reserve with the presentation of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Seven Seals Award. This award was presented by Colorado ESGR Volunteers Mark Hustedt and Mary Miller to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Office. The event was hosted by the County Clerk, Mr. Wayne W. Williams and was well attended by his senior leadership staff, to include Ms. Nikki Simmons, HR Manager, Mr. Chris Myszkowski, Motor Vehicle Manager, Mr. Ryan Parsell, Public Information Officer, Mr. Andres Moreno, the nominating employee and also a Senior Airman in the USAF Reserve, and Mr. Moreno's supervisor Brandon Prewitt. Mr. Parsell coordinated for and received press coverage for the event, Fox 21 New and KKTV Channel 11 were present to film the event and later broadcast the presentation on the local news.

Mr. Williams stressed several times that his office is committed to exceeding the standard of USERRA

and strives to provide the best possible support for the service members, veterans and spouses that

they employ. He said that not only does employer support of the service member/employee make for a

stronger national defense, it makes for a better employee and therefore a stronger workplace team. He

praised the talents and work ethic of the citizen Soldier, illustrated by Mr. Moreno being selected as the

Employee of the Month by the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder office.

Pictured left to right; ESGR Volunteer Mary Miller,

Wayne W. Williams, Senior Airman Andres Moreno,

and ESGR Volunteer Mark Huestedt

The Seven Seals Award is presented at the discretion of the ESGR State Chair in recognition

of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes

and supports the ESGR mission.

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Left to right – LT John Garr, US Coast Guard Reserve , General Manager Kevin Siegel, Tennis Manager Michael Olds, ESGR volunteer Mary Miller

Life Time Fitness was presented the Above and Beyond Award for their exceptional support of their employees in the Guard and Reserve, most notably LT John Garr, United States Coast Guard who had only been a Life Time Fitness employee in Colorado Springs for seven months. Life Time Fitness willingly hired him to their leadership staff, fully embracing his duties and responsibilities to the United States Coast Guard; expressing appreciation for his service and the leadership value he brought to the organization. In the first five months of employment his supervisor, assistant Supervisor, and General Manager all strongly supported his duties in his new military Reserve unit which required flexibility in accomplishing multiple time-consuming tasks. They also provided exceptional support in fulfilling training requirements as well as a 6 month recall to Active Duty which was short fused notice The General Manager and Supervisor assured him of their support of military duties and fully acknowledged their

ESGR/USERRA responsibilities, thereby providing the service member with full confidence in returning to his

position after coming off Active Duty orders. The company also compensated for any unpaid work completed up

to that point in time. The entire Life Time Fitness leadership staff offered their assistance to his family during

deployment and demonstrated great care and support for his family’s well being including adjusting his wife’s (She

is also an employee of Life Time Fitness) work schedule to best her husband’s military deployment. Additionally,

Life Time Fitness offered the family the option of flexible and free child care for their three children during her work

hours; greatly reducing stress on the family. LT Garr stated, ―Life Time Fitness went above and beyond in

their care of our family to insure our family was as healthy as possible during this challenging time.‖

The Above and Beyond Award is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees. It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above an beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees.

Lockheed Martin was presented the Above and

Beyond Award, for its continuing support of their

employees, most notably by John Mudloin in that his

supervisor and co-workers took time to provide a fair

well lunch to him and his wife prior to his deployment.

They were presented with a framed photo with

everyone's message of support. “My supervisors

have always been supportive of my National

Guard service throughout my 23 years with the

company. I have deployed three times in that

period. My first deployment was in 1990-1991. My

second deployment was in 2006-2007. My latest

deployment is 2012-2013.‖ There are other

numerous examples of “above and beyond” support

not noted here.

Left to right; ESGR volunteer Mary Miller, ESGR volunteer Joe Golding, Bill Mumma, Rick Udicious, Louise Doyon, Janet Adamo.

LT John Garr, US Coast Guard Reserve , General Manager Kevin

Siegel, Tennis Manager Michael Olds, ESGR volunteer Mary

Miller

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The Patriot Award is not an employer-wide award, but one that recognizes supervisors

and bosses nominated by an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve for

support provided directly to the nominator. 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.

Photo left to right – Ryan Pollmiller, Mr. David Jeffrey, ESGR volunteer Mary Miller

Dave Jeffrey, President of PM Prototype & Manufacturing Inc., was presented with a Patriot Award by ESGR volunteer Mary Miller in Colorado Springs. Mr. Jeffrey was nominated for the award by employee and member of the Army National Guard, Private First Class Ryan Pollmiller. PFC Pollmiller wrote the following nomination; ― Dave has been extremely supportive of the National Guard in allowing me the opportunity to serve in the national guard. Dave willingly affords me the time away from work to serve the weekend drills with no extraneous expectations, as in additional hours - even though this affects the company's productivity. He willingly accepted this responsibility when hiring me, knowing I was committed to the National Guard. Dave continues to inquire and demonstrates genuine interest in my military duties, always seeking ways to provide additional support.

Nancy Madden, Manager of First National Bank in Windsor, was one of two retail managers in the area to be presented with the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Jane Sharp, from First National’s Centerra location in Loveland, also received the award. Both Sharp and Madden were nominated by employee Jeremy Shawley, Lance Corporal, United States Marine Reserve.

Presenting the the awards to Jane Sharp and Nancy Madden are Bryan VanDriel from Sen. Mark Udall’s office and Ralph Trenary, a Loveland City Council member and ESGR Employee Outreach Representative for Colorado.

From left to right: Bryan VanDriel, Jane Sharp, Nancy Madden and Ralph Trenary

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Eric Godelfer, Infinity Systems Engineering Inc., was presented with a Patriot Award by ESGR volunteer Mary Miller in Colorado Springs. Mr. Godelfer was nominated for the award by employee and member of the United States Air Force Reserve, 1Lt Scott J Hollister, who wrote the following nomination; “My deep gratitude for the support of the company, specifically Eric Godelfer, goes back to before I started my pre-deployment orders. When I was hired with the company I told him that it was my goal and obligation to deploy with my mission. He made it very clear that he totally supports my service to our country. Since then, his words have been backed up by his actions. When it came time for me to start deployment training he made all of the modifications to our current program as he could, further ensuring

that a position would be ready for me when I came back. During recent tough economic times, especially with government contracts, he has worked very hard to move people around to ensure I would not lose any opportunity when my tour was over. My wife works for the company...Eric makes it a point to casually check up on her and make sure everything is OK at home. The stress that has been lifted off my chest has been an absolute blessing for me while I’m gone in an already stressful environment. Lastly, I just found out that the squadron needs me to stay on orders for additional high priority tasks when I return home in May. This news was not easy to relay to Eric, as he has already bent over backwards for me in my military career. His response was nothing less than amazing, he had no problem with it and totally understood. In the end I will have been away from the company for almost a full year. I have the utmost confidence that when the time comes, Eric will make sure that I can fill a position even through potential tougher economic times. His outstanding support has had direct impacts to my attitude, and therefore has impacted the great accomplishments of me and my team. Eric is absolutely deserving of recognition, going above and beyond his legal obligations to my situation.”

Eric Godelfer with ESGR volunteer Mary Miller

Supervisors at Time Warner Cable in Colorado Springs were presented with ESGR’s Patriot Award as well as a Statement of Support. Time Warner Cable currently has approximately 15 Reservists, all services, in their employ. All three of the supervisors spoke highly of the nominating employee Brian Sullivan, a Soldier in the Army Reserve. Mr. Kevin Voth said that Brian’s can-do spirit is undoubtedly not only from his own personality but also because of his military service. He takes on any task and can be counted on to do a great job. He said that he is very proud of Brian for serving his country and for being such a great Time Warner Cable employee. Mr. Jason Cross, Human Resources, (and an Army veteran), related that Time Warner is planning to hire nearly 150 veterans and guardsmen/reservists in the very near future. Mr. Cross will partner with ESGR to find those service members that will be a good fit for the Time Warner team as well as being connected with H2H and other resources.

Left to right; Ms. Tristan Beardin, SPC Brian Sullivan,

Mr. Kevin Voth, Ms. Carla Howell

ESGR volunteer Mary Miller, SPC Brian Sullivan,

Mr. Kevin Voth, ESGR volunteer Mark Hustedt

Click links for more information….

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Lifetime Fitness — Colorado Springs

LT John Garr, US Coast Guard Reserve , General Manager

Kevin Siegel, Tennis Manager Michael Olds, ESGR

Lockheed Martin

ESGR volunteer Mary Miller, Janet Adamo

JPM Prototype - Colorado Springs

Mr. David Jeffrey, President and ESGR

volunteer Mary Miller

Red Canyon Software

Barry Hamilton and ESGR volunteer Darrell

Arcata Associates

Sam Davis and ESGR volunteer Darrell Williamson

Employer Statement of Support signings

Veteran Engineering and Technology, LLC

Mary Miller, ESGR Volunteer, Norm Andersson, Craig Newmaker

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 unit.

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Click on pictures or links for websites August 2013 STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Brent Hamilton - Program Support Technician

720-250-1176 brent.l.hamilton2.ctr@mail.mil

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

State ESGR Vice Chair Tom Mills, Brigadier General,

CONG (Ret).

EMPLOYER OUTREACH AREA CHAIRS

Boulder/Longmont

Rebecca Sogn Colorado Springs

Mark Hustedt Mary Miller

Cortez Area

Robert Valencia Denver Area

Bruce Erek Rick White

Douglas County Area

Andrew Montoya Bob Rotruck

Estes Park Area Chair

Ed Acela

Larimer/Weld County

Ralph Trenary

Grand Junction

Lou Brackett

David Popham

Pueblo

Harry Vogel

Steamboat Springs

Jim Stanko

State ESGR Chair Richard E. Young, RADM, USN (Ret)

COLORADO ESGR

DIRECTORS

Military Outreach

Pete Callaway—Director

Employer Outreach

Bev Skinner - Co-director Dave Pruett - Co-director

Ombudsmen

Bill Belz - Director Gary Brown - Dep. Dir.

Training

Lynn Albi

Paula Kauffman—Dep. Dir.

Special Programs

Kip Cheroutes

Fritz Ihrig

National Guard Liaison Vacant

Public Affairs

Chase Dinkler - Director James Garrett - Deputy

Employer Initiatives

Zach Jacobsen - Co-Director

Dawanta Parks - Co-Director

MVEE Coordinator - Jason Shireman

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

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.

National Site News and Information

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Colorado ESGR

207 Volunteers 35 Volunteers assigned to Guard/Reserve Units

22 Volunteers serve as Ombudsman, mediating

conflicts between employers and their employees

in the military.

Congressman Visits Veterans Event By Lilia Munoz, Reporter-Herald

Photographer in Loveland Posted: 07/15/2013 05:37:07 PM MDT

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, center, laughs with Rob Brazell, left, president of Return to Work, an organization that helps wounded warriors find jobs, during a veterans' event Wednesday at the Pulliam Community Building in Loveland. The event featured organizations that help veterans return to work and transition back into life after their service. It was one of several events in Northern Colorado attended by the Democratic congressman. Rob Brazell is also a Colorado ESGR volunteer and works diligently to organize the Military Veterans Employment Expos in the State.