Kraft Foods’ Flexibility Enabled Employee to Support the Global War on Terror

Kendallville, Indiana.—May 20, 2010—Kraft Foods received the "Above and Beyond Award" from the Indiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, in recognition of its extraordinary support of its employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Mike Hughes, Manager of the Kraft Foods Kendallville Plant, accepted the award on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard conducts an awards program designed to recognize employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force. Employers qualify for recognition when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve. 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 and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty performed by their employees. The Indiana Committee for ESGR typically honors 10% of the year's Patriot Award winners with the "Above and Beyond Awards." Kraft Foods was granted a Patriot Award in April of 2009.

Sergeant Lavar Brewer,  Kraft Foods U.S. Kendallville Plant  Production Operator, and Army National Guard  Reservist, nominated Kraft Foods for a Patriot Award, which qualified the company to be considered for the "Above and Beyond Award" based on the company's outstanding support and flexibility in accommodating Brewer’s work and Reserve schedules. To support the Global War on Terror, Brewer has been deployed twice with the 1-293rd out of Fort Wayne Indiana.  Within the past four years SGT Brewer has spent over 95 days preparing for deployments on weekend drills or in annual training exercises.

To make this flexible schedule work for the company, Brewer’s Kraft Foods’ teammates had to cover issues during the day. Brewer’s colleagues eagerly volunteered to support him. For their selfless actions, Brewer nominated Ms. Janet Domer, his direct supervisor.  Ms. Domer and Kraft Foods received the Patriot Award from ESGR in April of 2009.

"I was very impressed with the dedicated Kraft Foods professionals who were ready, willing, and able to assist a teammate at a moment's notice," said Brewer. "Kraft Foods’ flexibility and support in accommodating my commitment to our country wasn't done out of obligation, it was just something a company with a great culture and values does. I am proud and honored to work at Kraft Foods."

"It's a great honor to receive the ‘Above and Beyond Award," said Hughes. "Kraft Foods recognizes the immense sacrifices that our military men and women and their families make every day. To be nominated for this award by one of our employees is testimony to the company's commitment to our team members in uniform."

About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense organization established to promote cooperation and understanding between Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employees. As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within 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.  Anyone wanting additional information regarding ESGR can visit our web site at www.esgr.mil or by calling Doug Gibbens, Executive Director for Indiana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at 317-247-3548 or by email at doug.gibbens@us.army.mil.