COESGR Newsletter October 2013

7/27/2019 COESGR Newsletter October 2013

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

October 2013

I experienced the crown ing jewel of my f i rs t 2 years o

ESGR service as a recent attendee of the 2013 Freedom Awa

Ceremony (FAC). The ESGR Freedom Award is the highest hon

bestowed to a company for their above and beyond support to

Guard and Reserve employees. I was honored when I received th

call from our State Chair (Richard Young) to be one of two escor

for this years event. The reason; because of the three categories f

the Freedom Award (Small Business, Large Business, and Pub

Sector), Colorado proudly had two recipients. Our winners we

DaVita in the Large Business category and Colorado Springs Utilitie

for the Public Sector category. The ESGR State Chair is traditiona

the escort for those worthy enough to garner such an accomplishmen

But given that Colorado had two winners (a good problem), we were authorized to send an additional member.

propose for FY14 we send our State Chair and two additional members if you get my drift. Wow, what an even

Upon showing up to our nations capital, I quickly learned that the FAC was the culmination of a weeklong ESG

National Leadership Meeting. In the midst of ESGR conducting their national meeting, New Chair TraininVolunteer of the Year activities, key participants were swiftly rallied by the Award Ceremonys Officer-in- Charg

(Lt Col Mellissa Phillips) on the quickly approaching event details. Under the watchful eyes of ESGRs Depu

Director, Mr. Fessel, key players garnered the information to make every facet of the ceremony a smashing h

As ESGR leaders conducted their week long leadership meeting, 15 prestigious companies and their entourag

made their way to the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in downtown DC. The Freedom Award Support Staff ensure

the nominators and recipients received a first class experience. Their 3-day activities included not only a

incredible awards ceremony but a Pentagon tour which included meeting with members from the Secretary

Defense and a luncheon with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (Honorable Jessic

Wright) along with ESGRs National Chair (Mr. Paul Mock). Even more impressive was that national recipients g

to meet the President of the United States at the White House. However nothing topped the emotions an

experience of witnessing the Freedom Award ceremony for the first time.

The ceremony took place on September 26, 2013 at the Ronald Reagan and International Trade Cente

It was evident by every gleaming detail of the incredible effort contributed by so many gracious volunteers. A

Admiral Young and I arrived promptly at 5pm, we were overwhelmed by excitement and the sheer beauty of th

place. At 6pm we eagerly met each of our honored guests from DaVita and Colorado Springs Utilities. ESG

allocated each winning company a total of 10 personnel from their company. Both Colorado Springs Utilitie

and DaVita proudly brought its maximum. And in the hour long reception of the Atrium Ballroom, a ra

combination of pride, humbleness and surrealism peaked. The Admiral and I, with our winners beaming, had th

rare opportunity for each Colorado team to mingle.

A Freedom Award Ceremony Exper ienceArticle by ESGR volunteer, Col Mark Hustedt, USAF (Re

Continued next page.

Jerry Forte, Denise Forte, Col Mark Hustedt,

USAF, Ret., Admiral Richard Young, USN, Ret.
http://esgr.org/


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That was an exciting time as all national winners recipients gathere

and we soon transitioned into the carefully planned ceremony room. Th

room was spectacular with its red white and blue themed dcor and table

dressed in every degree of elegance. The stage was precisely set with th

brilliant Freedom Award Trophy and an ARMY Brass Quintet at the read

to usher in the color guard. The evening kicked off with our Emmy-winnin

Master of Ceremonies (Leon Harris) followed by impacting words fro

ourKeynote speaker, Under Secretary Jessica L. Wright. For the ne

hour we feasted on food that would quench anybodys palate until wreached the pinnacle of the evening; the presentation of the Freedom

Award.

A unique and moving part of the ceremony was where a nominato

from each of the three award categories shared personal testimonie

regarding their respective employer. It was incredibly touching to watc

our very own Lt Col Hermin a Yardeof DaVita, Inc. stand up and shar

with the audience her deep appreciation for her employer. Those persona

moments shared by our Reserve and Guard members were only trumpe

by brief seconds when Colorado Springs Utilities' CEO Jerry Forte an

DaVitas CEO David Grams took the stage to receive the prestigiouFreedom Award trophy.

I couldnt have been more thrilled to sit next to Colorado Spring

Utilities' nominator, Chief Chris Ort izand his lovely wife Christina. Th

MC even made the comment that the morale was extremely high

Colorado Springs Utilities because they were the loudest table when th

trophies were being awarded. It truly was a magical evening and I coun

myself incredibly honored to have been a part of it.

The following day as Admiral Young and I conducted business nea

Capitol Hill, his words still ring in my ear. He looked at me and said Marin order for a company to capture the Freedom Award, we need to he

them prepare a year in advance. It wasnt rocket science but it hit home.

personally saw Colorado Springs Utilities do just that. They were ve

competitive in 2012. Their enthusiastic Human Resource experts, Shirle

Martinez and Josie Colorado with stellar support from their CEO, had roc

solid Reserve Component HR initiatives. And even though they had

great showing in 2012 by Freedom Award standards, they fell just a littl

shy of being a national contender. However, Colorado Springs Utilitie

being competitive in nature and desiring to continuously raise the bar, the

set forth in 2013 with an even more robust Guard and Reserve initiatives

They actively engaged with ESGR and the community on some brillian

Guard and Reserve projects and ideas. Their motivation was not to simp

garner a trophy, but to better serve their internal service members. The

hit a home run and now their policies are being studied by othe

companies as Best Practices! Way to go Colorado Springs Utilities an

also to your northern brethren DaVita for being 2 of only 15 national

recognized organizations.

We at ESGR could not be more proud !

Paul E. Mock, Jerry Forte,and Jessica L. Wright.

Paul E. Mock, David Grams,and Jessica L. Wright.

Lt Col Hermina Yarde, Davita, Inc..

Leon Harris, Master of Ceremonies

Under Secretary Jessica L. Wright


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Colorado Recip ients of

2013 Freedom Award

Colorado Springs Utilities

Davita, Inc.

2013 Annual2013 Annual

Secretary of DefenseSecretary of Defense

Employer Freedom AwardEmployer Freedom Award

BanquetBanquet

September 26, 2013September 26, 2013

Ronald Reagan Building andRonald Reagan Building and

International Trade CenterInternational Trade Center

Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.


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Davita, Inc.

Jessica L. Wright, acting Undersecretary of Defense forPersonnel and Readiness stated the following in her remarks:

This event is a "m onumental n igh t " to formally honor the 15

recipients with the coveted Secretary of Defense Employer Support

of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award.

"Your energy and supp or t for the warr iors is enormous, and i t

is clearly appreciated," Wright told the employers, who

represented public and private-sector companies and organizations

from across the country.

She said the support that employers provide to their deployed

employees runs the gamut of small and large-scale needs, from

helping spouses back home with child care, repairing a roof or

shoveling snow.

"They ' re a lways there to assis t the fami l ies [wi th ] a robu st

network of supp or t , "she said.

One employer, Wright said, "even hi red a spouse when her

hus band was deploy ed, after she lost her job."

And employers have contributed millions of dollars to militarysupport organizations, including support of disabled veterans.

Jessica L. Wright, acting Und ersecretary of

Defense for Personn el and Readiness, and

Paul E. Mock , ESGR National Chairman

Paul E. Mock , Jerry Forte, and Jessic a L.

Wright., Colorado Springs Uti l i t ies

Colorado Spring s Uti l i t ies

Award nominator, Chief Petty Officer, Chris Ortiz, U. S.

Navy Reserve

Colorado Spring s Uti l i t ies

Paul E. Mock , David Gram s, and Jessica L. Wrigh t.,

Davita, Inc .Award nominator, Lt. Col., Hermina Yarde , U. S. Air Force

Reserve


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Our dedicated volunteers come from all walks of life. They are business executives,

civic leaders and patriotic citizens. Some volunteer activities include:

Employer Outreach: Develop relationships with employers to promote advocacy

for service in the Guard and Reserve.

Ombudsman :Work with employers and service members to prevent, reduce or

resolve misunderstandings regarding employment rights and responsibilities.

Public Affa irs: Work with military and civilian media organizations to promote public understanding of

the ESGR mission.

Mil i tary Outreach: Inform and educate members of the Guard and Reserve regarding their

employment rights and responsibilities under USERRA.

The involvement of our volunteers, through just a few hours a month and in whatever capacity they

choose, improves the relationships our brave men and women have with their employers while they

continually place themselves in harms way, leave their families, and put their careers on hold to preserve

our way of life.

An ESGR volunteer has the opportunity to serve in support of our Nations defense. Theypersonify the ESGR banner, We All Serve.

Story w ri t ten by ESGR Volun teer Sherma Erho lm

Colorado Employer Support ofthe Guard and Reservewelcomes new volunteer, ToniaMartinez.In January, Tonia participatedin MVEE at the LeaderQuestfacility in Centennial, CO whereshe first learned of ESGR. She

participated on the employerpanel and the job fair. Thereshe received an overwhelmingresponse of candidates, In

August, she attended a second MVEE event at thePikes Peak Community College in Fort Carson,CO, again receiving an overwhelming response ofcandidates. This is where Tonia really beganlooking into volunteering with ESGR. Herexperience with the volunteer staff and militarypersonnel has been extremely rewarding.

As an ex-Navy wife, stationed from 1997-2001 at

the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek located inVirginia Beach, Virginia, Tonia volunteered withthe USS Grasp as a volunteer to assist theOmbudsman Program, she planned andparticipated in family functions with militaryspouses and families and loved connecting withthe families through the six-month deployments.Tonia has a special insight into the challenges andstresses of military life as well as a strong desireto be connected and give back to our military

personnel.

In May 2014, Tonia will complete a Bachelorsdegree in Organization Development and a doubleminor, in Human Resources and Communicationsfrom Regis University. She and her boyfriendIzaak and family reside in Commerce City.Coming from a large extended family, whichincludes three brothers, twelve nieces and

nephews and twelve great-nieces and nephews,Tonia learned an early age how to relate to othersthoughtfully and compassionately.

Currently employed as a Corporate Recruiter withGonzales Consulting Services, Inc. & ResourcesDevelopment Group, LLC in the Denver TechCenter, Tonia specializes in recruiting forpositions with the Department of HomelandSecurity and GCS Security Services utilizing H2Hto locate candidates. This has been extremelyhelpful for job placement on the public and private

sector contracts.Selecting Employment Outreach as the directoratein which she will work as a coordinator, Tonia isalready active in preparing to present three PatriotAwards in the month of October. Her experiences,education, and her enthusiasm and dedication aresure to make her an asset to the organization aswell as making her time with ESGR personallyrewarding.

Tonia Martinez and Mark Saunders, Our October ESGRVolunteers in the Spotlight

Continued next page...


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Mark Saunders retired fromthe active Army as aLieutenant Colonel in theInfantry. He has recentlyfound a new organization inwhich to serve his fellowmilitary men and womenand his countryESGR,Employer Support of the

Guard and Reserve. Mark,himself, had a smoothtransition from Army tocivilian life. With plans and

references in place before his retirement, he wasimmediately hired by MCI. Knowing it has notbeen so easy for others, it is his desire to giveback by helping others with employmentopportunities. When he learned about ESGRthrough Military Officers Association of America(MOAA) plus a personal contact by retiredColonel Nanette Mueller, a coffee meeting was

arranged with State Chair retired Admiral RichardYoung, and Mark became an enthusiasticvolunteer.

Army life was never new to Saunders. Born atFitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, he says, Armygreen runs in the family. My dad and my youngerbrother also retired from the Army. Whilestudying for his degree from Colorado StateUniversity, Mark joined the ROTC, and, inaddition, served as an enlisted man with the 244

th

Engineering Battalion in Fort Collins. NamedSoldier of the Year Reservist in 1964, he was

recognized by the Denver Post and received apersonal letter of commendation from editor and

publisher, Palmer Hoyt. Upon commissioning asa regular Army 2

ndLieutenant , he was deployed

in 1966-67 to Viet Nam as rifle platoon leader, 1st

Infantry Division. In 1969, he returned as aCaptain, rifle company commander of the samedivision. Wounded, he was medevacked toFitzsimmonshis place of birth. Mark retired asLieutenant Colonel in 1986 after twenty years ofactive duty. His last job before retiring was as

senior advisor to Infantry Reserve and Guardunits in Indiana and Ohio.

He has enjoyed the support of family, especiallythat of his wife, also a graduate of CSU. Theywere married in 1967 while he was on R&R andare parents of one son. During his servicecareer, Mark says he dragged her all overseveral states and Germany, moving seventeentimes.

In civilian life, he is now retired, having beenemployed by MCI, other communications

companies including Cisco Systems in variousexecutive positions.

Since he has had extensive experience incorporate as well as military life, Mark will lendknowledge and understanding in his position asESGR's Employer Outreach Coordinator forMajor Corporations . More than most, he ispersonally aware about the demands of militarylife, and is therefore able to relate to thechallenges faced by veterans as well as Guardand Reserve members returning fromdeployment. ESGR is fortunate to be ableto addhim to our group of dedicated volunteers.

Story w ri t ten by ESGR Volun teer Sherma Erho lm

Statement of Support was presented at meeting of Military Ministry members by ESGvolunteer Sherma Erholm.

The Mil i tary Ministry of Trin i ty UnitMethod ist Church was honored for thcontinuing support of deployed troops, both w

supplying material needs and in helping wmorale.

They have provided numerous phone cardcare boxes, Christmas cards and presents, ahave now continued such support by adoptingchaplain who serves 700 military men awomen.

They were proud to be recognized by ESGand representatives say the certificate apresentation will have a positive impact on thministry at the church.

Sherma Erholm and Clark Rheem, leader of Trin i ty

Uni ted Method ist Church Mi l i ta ry Min ist ry


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Colorado Nat ional Guard, Army Soldiers rescue mo re than 2,100 people

displaced by massive f loods

Byron Bateman, Jackie Lyman

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (10/1/13) Approximately 650 full-time Colorado National Guard militarytechnicians have been furloughed without pay due to the government shut down. However, NationalGuard support to flood relief will continue as scheduled.Read More..

Soldiers and Airmen fromthe Colorado NationalGuard, a long withmembers of civilianemergency response

agencies, d istr ibutesandbags to overlysaturated areas ofJefferson County, Colo.,Sept. 15, 2013. Rescueunits have evacuatedthousands of people andanimals in areas ofColorado that have beendevastated by therecord-setting flood. (U.S.

Air National Guard photo

by Staff Sgt. NicoleManzanares/Released)

Read More..

Click here for entire article

US Labor Department announces final rules to improve employment of veterans,people with disabilities. Is your company prepared? The best place to find veteransto hire for FREE is H2H.Jobs! Michelle Olson, Employment Transition Coordinator for EmploymentInitiative Program
http://co.ng.mil/media/releases/Pages/131001-Shutdown.aspxhttp://co.ng.mil/media/releases/Pages/131001-Shutdown.aspxhttp://www.nationalguard.mil/news/archives/2013/09/091613-Colorado.aspx?src=rsshttp://www.nationalguard.mil/news/archives/2013/09/091613-Colorado.aspx?src=rsshttp://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20131578.htm#!http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20131578.htm#!http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/OFCCP20131578.htm#!http://www.nationalguard.mil/news/archives/2013/09/091613-Colorado.aspx?src=rsshttp://co.ng.mil/media/releases/Pages/131001-Shutdown.aspx


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ESGR volunteer, Mark D. Hustedt presented aPatriot Award to Pinkerton Government Services.SPC Gavino Barrera (ARNG) submitted theRegional Director, Mr. Marvin Joe Burke. Mr. Burkwas not aware he and his company had beenominated; always the funniest way to present anaward. SPC Barrera nominated his employer fotheir incredible support of his 17 week basic trainingand his nearly no-notice one year deployment to

Kuwait. He is a Blackhawk Mechanic. His civiliaboss Mr. Burke is a retired Sergeant Major. And thei

Admin rep, Mr. Ken Venable told me that due to thesecurity mission for the Front Range, they are nearl50% veteran employees; awesome!Marvin Joe Burke, Gavino Barrera

For employers wondering when their employee will return to work; the following is provided to advise o

that concern. Contact Colorado ESGR if you have questions or concerns.

As our Soldiers and Airmen return from the field they are receiving up to two days to recover their geaand their equipment. They will still be on State Active Duty orders for the recovery period.

We are unable to confirm the current status of each Guard member or when their duty will endHowever, each Guard member will receive orders documenting their duty. It is appropriate for aemployer to request the order for verification.

Though the drawdown of National Guard forces is widely publicized, our service to our communities not finished. Our primary missions now are security checkpoints since there are still a large number evacuees who are not allowed to return home due to safety and infra-structure issues.

We cant express enough how important the support of employers is to the work we do. Without thoutstanding support youve provided we could never helped our neighbors in northern Colorado aswiftly and effectively as we have.

==================Darin Overstreet, Capt.State Public Affairs Officer, Colorado National [email protected]

Statement of Support (SoS)signing at the Castle Rock

Adventist Hospital. CEO ToddFolkenberg who signed and is

holding the SoS told his Veteranaudience, "If you ever needanything, don't hesitate toask," in reference to Veteransissues. About 2/3rds of theattendees were veterans.Standing to Todds right is ESGRvolunteer, Robert Rotruck whopresented the Statement ofSupport
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Events Calendar

November 1 - Freedom Award Nominations

Open

November 6-20 H2H Job Store Van in

Colorado.

November 16-20 Military Officers ofAmerica Association (MOAA) Annual

Meeting - Colorado Springs

Click on pictures or links for websitesOctober 2013STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Brent Hamilton - Program Support Technician

720-250-1176 [email protected]

Chandra Hance AST-Administrative Support Technician720.250.1189 [email protected]

Michelle Olson - ETC (Employment Transition Coordinator)

720-250-1195 [email protected]

COESGR Business Office

12200 East Briarwood Avenue, Suite 160

Centennial, Co 80112

State ESGR Vice ChaTom Mills, Brigadier Genera

CONG (Ret).

EMPLOYER OUTREACHAREA CHAIRS

Boulder/Longmont

Brad Gallup

Colorado SpringsMark HustedtMary Miller

Cortez Area

Robert ValenciaDenver Area

Bruce ErekRick White

Douglas County Area

Jimmy GrahamBob Rotruck

Estes Park Area Chair

Ed Acela

Fort Lyon/Tri CountyLeanne Wheeler

Larimer/Weld County

Ralph Trenary

Grand Junction

Lou Brackett

David Popham

Pueblo

Harry Vogel

Steamboat Springs

Jim Stanko

State ESGR ChairRichard E. Young, RADM, USN (Ret)

COLORADO ESGR

DIRECTORS

Military Outreach

Pete CallawayDirector

Employer Outreach

Bev Skinner - Co-director

Dave Pruett - Co-directorEO Coordinator, Major Corporations-Mark Saunders

OmbudsmenBill Belz - Director

Gary Brown - Dep. Dir.

Training

Lynn Albi

Paula KauffmanDep. Dir.

Special Programs

Fritz Ihrig

National Guard Liaison

Liz Kelpis

Public Affairs

Vacant - Director

Employer Initiatives

Zach Jacobsen - Co-Director

Dawanta Parks - Co-DirectorChase Dinkler - Deputy

MVEE Coordinator - Jason Shireman

Colorados ESGR Electronic Newsletteris published not only for the information and benefit of the members of the ColoradESGR 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 [email protected]

H2H.jobs www.H2H.jobsH2H offers valuable resources for Servicemembers by way of hiring fairs, job training,career assessment and military skills translation.

National Site News and InformationJoin Facebook and Twitter

Become a fan of Colorado ESGR

COESGR COESGR Twitter COESGR LinkedIn

Colorado Springs Utilities, 2013 FreedomAward winner, created a video,

Deployment to Employment: Valuingour Military and Veteran Employees.

Click on the picture to view.

H2H Van is coming in November!

Grand Junction on November 6

Colorado Springs from Friday, November 8

through Friday, November 15Denver - Buckley, AFB November 16th and

17th, then to the

Federal Center, Fitzsimmons Army

Reserve Force Center,

then on the 21st to Cheyenne, Wyo.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:mailto:[email protected]:mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:mailto:[email protected]:mailto:[email protected]://www.h2h.jobs/http://www.h2h.jobs/http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Colorado-ESGR-3848360http://www.facebook.com/GoESGRhttp://twitter.com/ESGRhttp://esgr.mil/http://twitter.com/CO_ESGRhttps://www.facebook.com/colorado.esgr.1http://www.h2h.jobs/mailto:mailto:[email protected]://esgr.org/mailto:[email protected]:mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://youtu.be/h4i-PGFvBVc

COESGR Newsletter October 2013

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