The Arizona Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Grace Huang, Customer Team Manager, Pacific Coast JV Region with Merck and Company, Scottsdale, Arizona was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employee who serves in the United States Navy Reserve.

Ms. Grace Huang Customer Team Manager, Pacific Coast JV Region, Merck and Company (second from the left) receives her ESGR Patriot award.  Assisting
with the presentation is Mr. Scott Essex, Arizona ESGR Chairman     (first on
the right), Mr. Butch Wise, Executive Director, Arizona ESGR (first on the left), and Mr. Tim Salfi, Senior Director of Commercial Operations, Pacific Coast JV Region, Merck and Company (second from the left).  The nominator, LTJG Kalina Bitter, was teleconferenced into the presentation as she works in southern California.

LTJG Bitter stated that Grace fully supports her reserve duty.  She recommended me for the Direct Commission Officer Program even though it meant that as a result, I may be called away from work for a deployment.  She also gave public recognition for my military service at a work meeting.  My company, Merck, values Navy leadership training and my regional director, Tim Salfi, and manager have both expressed their support in my duty.  Merck pays my salary when I am on short duty and pays the differential for reservists who are on long assignments.  I don't feel afraid or threatened that if I get deployed I will run into problems with my employer. I feel very luck to work at such a company as Merck and to have a manager like Grace, who supports me as a reservist.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation.  More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Butch Wise at 602-629-4031 or email at lawrence.wise@us.army.mil