FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2011
Contact: Amy Kay, Public Relations Coordinator
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(217) 747-9283
akay@hanson-inc.com
Hanson among semifinalists for 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Department of Defense announced three Illinois employers – including Hanson Professional Services Inc. of Springfield, Ill. – have been selected as semifinalists for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoD’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Illinois’ semifinalists stood out for their support of military employees as nationwide nominations for the Freedom Award rose 64 percent over last year.
Among the 148 semifinalists are Hanson; John Deere Harvester Works, East Moline; and Will County Sheriff's Office, Joliet. These Illinois employers distinguished themselves from a pool of 4,049 nominations submitted by service members in 2011. Employers chosen as semifinalists support their Guard and Reserve employees through a variety of formal and informal initiatives, including providing the difference between military and civilian salary during deployments, continuation of full benefits, sending care packages and supporting the families of employees fulfilling military obligations.
“Our nation’s ability to rely on the Guard and Reserve through nearly 10 years of war and during historic natural disasters is made possible by the tremendous support of employers,” said ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz. “The employers selected as semifinalists have distinguished themselves by going above and beyond what the law requires, and I want to thank them for their critical support on behalf of our service members and our nation.”
A national review board will narrow the group of 148 semifinalists to 30 finalists for the Freedom Award. Then, a national selection board comprised of senior defense officials, business leaders and prior awardees will select the 15 recipients for the 2011 Freedom Award. The DoD is expected to announce the finalists in May and the award recipients in early summer. The 2011 recipients will be honored in Washington, D.C., at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony on Sept. 22, 2011. Last year’s recipients met privately with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates prior to the ceremony.
The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. ESGR was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
For questions regarding the Freedom Award, please visit http://www.freedomaward.mil/ or contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at 703-696-1171, ext. 539, or by e-mail at ESGR-PA@osd.mil.
Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, architecture, planning and allied services. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703. The office may be reached by phone: (217) 788-2450 or fax: (217) 788-2503.
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