Several Central Iowa employers were recently presented with awards during the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve employer recognition event held at Camp Dodge in Johnston. The awards are based on nominations made by Guard and Reserve members of their supervisors through the ESGR Patriotic Employer Awards program. “Supportive employers are vital to the success of our mission and the defense of this nation,” said Becky Coady, Iowa ESGR state chair. “Our Guard and Reserve members could not perform their military duty without knowing their civilian employers support them 100%.”  

Among the organizations receiving awards:

• The Iowa Ortho office in Pella received the Pro Patria Award for its support of employee Eric Dolash, a major in the Iowa Army National Guard. The Pro Patria Award is presented annually to three Iowa employers who are viewed by Iowa ESGR as providing the most exceptional support through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. More than 120 employers were reviewed from the Patriotic Employer Awards presented by ESGR during 2021.
• The Wells Fargo offices in Waukee and Norwalk received Above and Beyond Awards for their support of employee Steven Johnson, a technical sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The Above and Beyond Award is state-level recognition that honors employers who consistently exceed the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Acts.
• Vermeer Corp. in Pella received a State Chair Award from ESGR for its ongoing support of employee Tracy Cole, who serves as a sergeant in the Iowa Army National Guard.
• The Des Moines office of Ernst & Young received a State Chair Award for the organization’s ongoing support of one of its employees, Kevin Mott, who serves as a first lieutenant in the Iowa Army National Guard.

The State Chair Award honors employers who have made a significant impact in the lives of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.