Bergstrom Inc. supervisor recognized by Department of Defense with Patriot Award

Bergstrom Inc. supervisor recognized by Department of Defense with Patriot Award

February 23, 2016

The Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, has recognized Carl McDonald, a supervisor at Bergstrom’s Joliet facility, with the Patriot Award.

The award was created to publicly recognize individuals who provide "outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who, like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve.”

"Carl McDonald was nominated for being highly supportive of the Reserve Service by his Reserve Component employee James Wrenn, USMC Lance Corporal assigned to E Company 4th Recon Battalion,” said Frank Amaro, Illinois ESGR representative. "Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

The award was presented to McDonald on Feb. 9 at Bergstrom’s Joliet plant.

"It is a true honor to be recognized by the Department of Defense, I appreciate it very much,” said McDonald. "But it is James Wrenn who we should be honoring for what he does for our country. It’s our honor to have him as part our team.”

Bergstrom is dedicated to creating a culture where all employees support and value the employment and military service of members of the armed services. The company has a long standing history of hiring veterans.

"Veterans have many of the attributes that we are looking for in potential employees. Leadership, teamwork, accountability, integrity are just some of the concepts that have been ingrained in them during their military service,” said Jack Shaffer, president and CEO of Bergstrom Inc. "We want to empower our veterans, Wounded Warriors and the family members of this cultural diverse community; preparing them for a seamless integration from military to civilian life by providing the necessary foundation for success.”

ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the DoD. 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 more information about Bergstrom Inc., visit us.bergstrominc.com or contact Effie Reyes ereyes@bergstrominc.com.


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