Atlanta, GA – Georgia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (GA ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Southern Company and Plastican, Inc were honored with ‘ProPatria’ Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Georgia National Guard and Reserve.
(Photo: left to right: Major General Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Department of Defense, The Adjutant General; Ann Byrd, Plastican Inc., Human Resource Director; Mike Worley, GA Power Community Relations Division (a subsidiary of Southern Company accepted award on behalf of Southern Co.); Admiral (Ret) James McGarrah, GA ESGR Chairman.)
GA ESGR held their Annual Awards Banquet on April 30, 2010 at which both companies were recognized with ProPatria Awards. According to Admiral (Ret) James McGarrah, GA ESGR Chair, “The ESGR ‘ProPatria’ Award is presented annually by Georgia ESGR to one small employer, one large employer and one public employer in Georgia who have provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”
The following companies were presented with ‘Above and Beyond Awards: Airgas, Athens Regional Medical Center, Atlanta Gas Light Company, BAE Systems, Cartersville School System, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Chemical Products Corporation, City of Kennesaw, Conyers Middle School, District Attorney's Office, MJC, Exxon Mobil Chemical, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, Georgia National Cemetery, Habersham County Board of Commissioners, Hallie Turner Private School, Harris Inc., Infor Global Solutions, KPMG LLP, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, NAPA Home and Garden, New Hope Baptist Church, North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, North Heights Elementary School, Operation Chefs Unite, Post Properties, Regal Nissan, Republic National Distributing Company, SITA, Southern Nuclear, Synthes (USA), Target Distribution Center, Tugalo Construction, Weyerhaeuser NR. The ‘Above and Beyond’ Award is given to those employers who go above and beyond the requirements of the federal law in supporting their Reserve Component employees.
These companies join with thousands of American Employers who have reviewed their human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Many employers provide outstanding support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.
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 provides education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Penelope Harbour, GA ESGR Executive Director, at 678-569-5738 or email penelope.harbour@us.army.mil.