WASHINGTON -- Two businesses nominated by Air Force Reservists are finalists for the 2014 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the Defense Department's highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees
J.G. Management Systems, Inc. of Grand Junction, Colo., and Shofner Vision Center of Nashville, Tenn., are among the top 30 employers selected from a pool of 2,864 nominations submitted earlier this year by National Guard and Reserve service members.
The employers selected as Freedom Award finalists distinguish themselves by supporting their National Guard and Reserve employees through policies and initiatives that go above and beyond in assisting and encouraging their military service.
J.G. Management Systems, Inc.'s nominator highlighted the company's dedication to service members and veterans through the purchase of family members' plane tickets during employee deployments, offering financial support to attend training and education events, and hosting luncheons and dinners that honor military employees. J.G. Management also provides financial support to non-employees, donating directly to an injured service member and placing more than 1,600 American flags on gravesites. The company is dedicated to hiring veterans and service members with more than a third of the workforce comprised of current and former members of the military.
Shofner Vision Center's nominator highlighted the company's creation of the United Military Support program, which partners with community businesses to jointly fund local military programs and non-profit organizations. Shofner Vision Center actively hires service members and veterans with 50 percent of its workforce comprised of current and former members of the military. The company provides generous benefits including 401k matching regardless of deployment and offers significant discounts to members of the military. Shofner Vision Center provides free refractive surgery to Wounded Warriors.
"These 30 employers have gone above and beyond to provide our military men and women as well as their families the absolute best support possible," said ESGR Executive Director Ronald G. Young. "An employer's support is just as critical as a military member's family support and we are proud to have a way to recognize these outstanding employers through this program."
Senior DoD officials, business leaders and prior awardees will now select up to 15 Freedom Award recipients to be honored at the 19th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony at the Pentagon in September.
A complete list of 2014 Freedom Award finalists is available at www.FreedomAward.mil under the Media Tab in the Press Releases section. For media queries about the Freedom Award program, contact Beth Sherman at osd.esgr-pa@mail.mil.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)