SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented a “My Boss is a Patriot” award to Sarah Phalen, President and CEO of Illinois National Bank, on December 16, 2011 at the bank’s main facility in Springfield.

Lt. Col. Andrew Roselle, a commercial lender at INB, nominated the bank for the award following a five-month deployment to Iraq. “INB took great care of me and my family before, during and after my deployment. I received care packages and e-mails while overseas, and they stayed in touch with my family at home. Upon my return, my job was ready and waiting.”

After accepting the award, Phalen also signed an ESGR Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve – or SOS – for each of the bank’s 11 central Illinois locations. “We often refer to our employees as the ‘INB family.’ Creating a smooth transition for Lt. Col. Roselle into and out of his deployment is the best way we can show appreciation for the personal sacrifice made by members of our Armed Forces,” said Phalen. “It’s important for employers to do what we can to make their difficult job a bit easier. We stand ready to do so again should another member of our team be called to active duty.”

“The Illinois ESGR Committee appreciates that Illinois National Bank is willing to make this public gesture of support on behalf of the men and women of the Guard and Reserve,” said Dr. Michael Ayers, Illinois ESGR State Committee Chair. “I want to congratulate INB for being recognized with the Patriot Award and thank you for signing these Statements of Support to acknowledge the continued importance of the National Guard and Reserve to the defense of our nation.”

“The continuing support of employers is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve,” Ayers continued. “Our Guardsmen and Reservists would not be able to continue to serve in uniform, if not for the support of employers and organizations like Illinois National Bank.”
Phalen comes by her support of the Guard and Reserve naturally, having grown up in a military family. Her father Tom Murgatroyd retired from the Air Force as a Colonel and now serves as the Training Director for Illinois ESGR.

President and CEO of Illinois National Bank, Sarah Phalen, signs a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve after being presented with the ESGR Patriot Award. Phalen also signed an SOS for each of INB’s 11 central Illinois branch locations. Pictured with Phalen are (from left) Lt. Col. Tim Franklin, Illinois ESGR Program Coordinator; retired Colonel Tom Murgatroyd, Illinois ESGR Training Director; Stan Zielinski, Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair; Lt. Col. Andrew Roselle, INB employee and Army Reserve member; and Dr. Michael Ayers, Ph.D., State Chair for Illinois ESGR.