COESGR Newsletter December 2012

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December 2012

Welcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educaWelcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educaWelcome to Colorado ESGR. Our purpose is to have an informative newsletter that will educainform, and promote service by and to ESGR while fulfilling our mission of supporting Employeinform, and promote service by and to ESGR while fulfilling our mission of supporting Employeinform, and promote service by and to ESGR while fulfilling our mission of supporting EmployeGuard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR VolunteersGuard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR VolunteersGuard/Reserve members, Military and Veteran Employment Initiatives and our COESGR Volunteers

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]

Colorado ESGR Celebrates Notable Events of 2012

With This Year End Issue

Colorado ESGR enjoyed a great year of notable events andColorado ESGR enjoyed a great year of notable events andColorado ESGR enjoyed a great year of notable events andaccomplishments. In this issue we salute our supportingaccomplishments. In this issue we salute our supportingaccomplishments. In this issue we salute our supporting

Colorado Employers, the men and women of our Guard andColorado Employers, the men and women of our Guard andColorado Employers, the men and women of our Guard and

Reserve, and our hard working volunteers.Reserve, and our hard working volunteers.Reserve, and our hard working volunteers.

Our Year in Review Includes:Our Year in Review Includes:Our Year in Review Includes:

Annual Employer Awards BanquetAnnual Employer Awards BanquetAnnual Employer Awards Banquet

Bosslift and Employer Appreciation EventsBosslift and Employer Appreciation EventsBosslift and Employer Appreciation Events

Employment InitiativesEmployment InitiativesEmployment Initiatives

(MVEE) Military Veteran Employment Expos(MVEE) Military Veteran Employment Expos(MVEE) Military Veteran Employment Expos

VIP visitsVIP visitsVIP visits

Patriot AwardsPatriot AwardsPatriot Awards

Statements of SupportStatements of SupportStatements of Support

Total Reserve Component membersTotal Reserve Component membersTotal Reserve Component members

in Coloradoin Coloradoin Colorado---13,43713,43713,437

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The following business leaders (in alphabetical order) make up our current Senior Advisory Council:

This at-the-top leadership is so crucial to ESGRs efforts here in Colorado to reach more employers, to

get their support for our Guard and Reserve members who are employed by many civilian employers;

and to lead the way for all our employers, public and private, to recognize, value, and support themilitary service of their employees.1. Joseph A. Ahearn, retired 2 star USAF General.

2. Joe Blake, recently retired Chancellor of Colorado State University, former CEO of the Metro Denver

Chamber of Commerce.

3. Peter Coors, Chairman of Board, Molson Coors Brewing Company.

4. Rick Crandall, Station Manager of KOSI plus others.

5. Judge Ron Crowder, District Court Judge (Colorado Springs) .

6. Dick Deane, retired Denver businessman. (Picture not available)

7. Glenn Jones, founder and CEO of Jones Intercable.

8. Don Mares, former state legislator and Denver City Auditor, Executive Director of the Colorado

Department of Labor and Employment, currently CEO of Mental Health America of Colorado.

9. Bill Ritter, former Governor of the State of Colorado, Denver District Attorney, now with ColoradoState University.

10.Jan Rutherford, former Army Special Forces Intelligence officer. Currently, Chief CommercialOfficer of 3t Systems, a growing innovative company focusing on go-to-market strategies. Serves asVice Chair on the board of Directors for the Visiting Nurses Association of Colorado.

11.Sandra Shreve, former President of the Denver League of Women Voters, now with the DenverFoundation, involved with Denver University and other similar organizations.

COLORADO NATIONAL GUARD

EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVESupported by the Colorado Department of Labor and

Employment (CDLE) and Colorado Employer Support of the

Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Volunteers

This initiative is aimed at identifying and assisting those

returning National Guard members who do not have jobs tocome home to or are seeking new employment on their

return.

The 928th Area Medical Support Company* and their some

75 members, who returned home after a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan was the first National Guard

unit to successfully participate in this concerted and coordinated effort.

Employer and Employment Initiatives

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Over 1100 registeredOver 1100 registeredparticipants.participants.

19% Active Duty19% Active Duty

7% Guard/Reserve7% Guard/Reserve

Majority were VeteransMajority were Veterans

74% Men74% Men

26% Women26% Women

* Numerous walk* Numerous walk--insins

659 attended the 2659 attended the 2--day class sessions and 90% of them ratedday class sessions and 90% of them ratedthe classes as excellent.the classes as excellent.

Over 490 who completed classes met with the 119 employersOver 490 who completed classes met with the 119 employerspresent for the first 2 hours of Day Three.present for the first 2 hours of Day Three.

100 + volunteers100 + volunteers

Military/Veterans Employment EXPOs (MVEE ) in ColoradMilitary/Veterans Employment EXPOs (MVEE ) in ColoradSprings and Castle RockSprings and Castle Rock -- Great Success Stories!!Great Success Stories!!

People were excited about the job situation, many were offeredjobs on site, with hundreds of others continuing the interviewingprocess. Many attendees said that even if they did not get jobsfrom these events, the classes helped them feel better prepared

for the job search, one of the main goals of the Expos!

Employers, ESGR volunteers, as well as, volunteers from otherorganizations did a superb job. The EXPO required high energy, anability to answer questions and a wide variety of skills in makingthings run smoothly. The invaluable effort by volunteers demon-strated a dedicated and hard working group towards an importantgoal of getting our Veterans and Military service members JOBS!

One Guard service memberremarked: I have gottenthree job offers, what aremarkable decision I haveto make on which one totake.

I found the training and the jobfair very useful, especially as I

plan for my future transition outof the Air Force and back into thecivilian world. Hard to believe itwas all provided free of charge.K. Daugherty

From a Human Resources ManageThank you for a great event...Whad a wonderful time, met somoutstanding candidates and hire3 managers on that day...We looforward to a continued partneship in supporting the effort bring our vets back to work.Willis

Colorado Springs MVEE Data Sample

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The Colorado employers named semifinalists are: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Broomfield; Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Springs; Infinity Systems Engineering, Colorado Springs.

The Freedom Award provides service members with an opportunity to recognize employers fogoing above and beyond what is required by law. Employers chosen as semifinalists supportheir Guard and Reserve employees through a variety of formal and informal initiatives, includindeveloping internal military support networks, providing full benefits to employees fulfilling themilitary obligations, caring for the families of deployed employees, and granting additional leavto Guard and Reserve employees preparing to leave for or return from deployments.

The Nomination Period for the 2013 Freedom Awardbegan November 1, 2012 and will end January 21, 2013

Three Colorado Employers Were Semi-finalists to the 2012

Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department ofDefense agency, announced in April that three Colorado employers had beenselected as semifinalists for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer SupportFreedom Award. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by theDoD to employers for exceptional support of their Guard and Reserve

employees. In 2012, 133 semifinalists nationwide stood out among animpressive pool of 3,236 nominees.

Freedom Award nominations comFreedom Award nominations comdirectly from Guard and Reserdirectly from Guard and Resermembers, or family members actimembers, or family members action their behalf.on their behalf.

DevotedDevotedDevoted13,35913,35913,359 hours to the ESGR Missionhours to the ESGR Missionhours to the ESGR Mission

Briefed and spoke to well overBriefed and spoke to well overBriefed and spoke to well over1,1511,1511,151 employersemployersemployers aboutaboutaboutESGRESGRESGR

ObtainedObtainedObtained755755755Statements of Support signed byStatements of Support signed byStatements of Support signed by

EmployersEmployersEmployers PresentedPresentedPresented111111111 Patriot Awards PresentedPatriot Awards PresentedPatriot Awards Presented

Our Military Outreach teams briefedOur Military Outreach teams briefedOur Military Outreach teams briefed9,9029,9029,902MilitaryMilitaryMilitarymembers via liaison and Yellow Ribbon Programsmembers via liaison and Yellow Ribbon Programsmembers via liaison and Yellow Ribbon Programs

Participated in Trade Shows, Military VeteransParticipated in Trade Shows, Military VeteransParticipated in Trade Shows, Military VeteransEmployment Expos, Employer and Military OutreachEmployment Expos, Employer and Military OutreachEmployment Expos, Employer and Military Outreach

events.events.events.

In FY 2012 COESGRs 182 Volunteers:In FY 2012 COESGRs 182 Volunteers:In FY 2012 COESGRs 182 Volunteers:

Inaugurated our new State Page at ESGR.org.

Click herefor ongoing news items on the

Colorado State Page.

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2012 Employer Awards Banquet and Volunteer Conference

Top L-r; Dick Young, Adm. Winnefeld, Maj Gen Edwar

Ron Young.

Colorado ESGRs Annual Awards Banquet, held on May 4th,2012, was singularly honored by having as our special guestand keynote speaker the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, Admiral James Sandy Winnefeld. This was one ofthe first, if not the first, for either of our two highest rankingofficers of our military to address an ESGR event. Inattendance were Colorados Adjutant General Major GeneralEdwards who introduced the Vice Chairman, National ESGRExecutive Director Ron Young who spoke and thanked themany employers attending, the Deputy Assistant Secretaryof Labor for Veterans Affairs Ismael Ortiz Jr. who was thekeynote speaker for the following days ESGR VolunteerConference, and all of the Colorado National Guards flag

officers.The Marine Color Guard, members of Marine A

Control Squadron 23, presented the colors.

Employer Recognition Award Winners

Seven Seals - Jason Shireman

Above and Beyond Awards

Raytheon Corp of Aurora, US

Department of Veterans Affairs,

Veterans Service Center

Pro Patria AwardInfinity Systems Engineering

Colorado Springs Utilities

Ball Aerospace &Technology

Penrose St Francis Health Systems

Colorado ESGRVolunteer Conference May 5, 2012

Ismael Ortiz, Jr.Dep. Asst Secretary

PolicyVeterans Employment &Training Services (VETS).

Ronald G. YoungExec. Dir., National

Committee for (ESGR).

Click herefor Award Descriptions.

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ESGR Employer Day-Panther Racing

On August 16, 2012 - Panther Racing and its President and owner, John Barnes and his wife Jane,hosted a special joint state committee Bosslift program along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.in whichColorado and Missouri ESGR, National Guard, civilian employers and city leaders gatheredfor a day of festivities in Colorado.

ESGR Employer Day-USAFA

8/28/2012 - US Air Force Academy Employer Day, a Bosslift event as part of CO ESGR's ongoing relationship with theUSAFA. Designed to provide senior business leaders who are also leaders in the community, with an Executive levelbrief and exposure to the Cadet experience not otherwise available to visitors to the Academy. It began with anoverview on ESGR from the CO ESGR Deputy Director of EO, followed by an Executive Briefing from Brig Gen Chiltonand her staff. The group was then given the opportunity to sit in on an actual second year Calculus class, instructed by

a LtCol who is one of the Academy's several Reserve instructors. Lunch in the Dining Hall, where the 'Bosses' joinedin conversation with Cadets. The final event of the day was a personal tour of the Cadet Chapel.

Participating Employers:

Nidal Allis - TechnoRescue-PresidentRichard J. Whipple - Whipplewood CPAs-CEO

Jay Tuccy - Integrity Fire-OwnerBrian Olson - Conversation Starters Public Relations-Owner

Becky Takeda-Tinker- CSU Global - CEOTheresa Mehringer- Burns Figa & Will, PC-Partner

William "Rocky" Hollingsworth - Foothills Commercial Builders-PresidentRichard White - Barrett Business-Denver Area Manager

Derek Carleo - New York Life

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Thirty-eight Grand Junction area companies were

honored at an ESGR Employer Appreciation

Luncheon held on Friday, August 17 at the new

Colorado National Guard Processing Center (Armory)in Grand Junction, CO. Among the thirty-eight

confirmed employers was a cross segment of theGrand Valley to include: Alpine Bank, JGManagement Systems, Inc.; NBC News TV Station

(KKCO); Colorado Mesa University; St. Mary's

Hospital; Community Hospital; Family Health West

Hospitals; FCI Constructors, Inc.; DISH Network;United Way of Western Colorado; District 51 Schools;

9th Judicial Court; Grand Junction Police Department;

Sears; Star Tek, Inc. Your Way Safety & Signs; and

VA Hospital. Guest speaker was Major General H.Michael Edwards, Adjutant General for the ColoradoNational Guard. Additionally, Grand Junction Mayorpro tem Laura Luke and the Mayors Lori Buck ofFruita and Roger Granite of the Town of Palisade alsosigned and presented a proclamations designatingFriday, August 17 as ESGR day.

Pictured from left; two members of Gen Edwards

staff, Vice Chairman COESGR Tom Mills, Brig. Gen

USA, Ret., Major General Edwards, Dick YoungChairman COESGR, Lou Brackett, ESGR voluntee

and Area Chair for Grand Junction.

2012 United Veterans Committee of Colorado Awards Banquet

The UVC is a non-profit coalition of over 55 veterans' service organizations, affiliates anassociates representing more than 465,000 retiree/veterans throughout Colorado. As pa

of their annual banquet event, a number of awards were presented to individuals anorganizations who have shown their honor and commitment to veterans. ESGR was onthose recipients receiving the Outstanding Veteran Service Organization Award.

Citation read: In recognition and appreciationof promoting a culture encouraging al

American employers to support and value themilitary service members. ESGR, as the

principal advocate within the Department oDefense, has grown from 15 volunteers to 180today. It provides briefings to over 92 percen

of our National Guard members, hasdeveloped and maintains a strong working relationship with our Guard and Reserve, andleads in organizing and coordinating efforts toassist our State military and veterans to gainemployment, thus benefiting them and theiemployers.RADM (Ret.) Richard Young of ESGR, second from left, accepts the

award for Outstanding Veteran Service Organization from UVC

President Ralph Bozella.

Medal of Honor

recipient

Sal Giunta

Medal of Honor

recipient

George Sakato

Awards and Recognition of Employers

ESGR Employer Appreciation -Grand Valley

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Lisa Peete, USN, Petty Officer 2nd Class nominateher employer Craig Hospital for an ESGR Patrio

Award. According to Petty Officer Peete, "I havtaken off due to military training numerous timesand my staffing and human resources team hassupported and never penalized me due to

this. Their flexibility and support for militarypersonnel is amazing and much appreciated."

Craig Hospital is proud to be the recipient of thisaward and we would like to express ouappreciation to all military men and women whoso honorably serve our country, noted MikeFordyce, President and CEO of Craig Hospital.

ESGR Patriot Awards -honor employers for their superior support to Guard and Reserve members. Awanominations must be made by active National Guard and Reserve members or thefamilies.

L to r; Lisa Peete, Jane DeGroff, Bruce Erek, ESGR

a world-renowned center for specialtyrehabilitation and research for peoplewith spinal cord and traumatic braininjury. Ranked in the Top TenRehabilitation centers by US News andWorld Report for 23 consecutive years,

Craig has also been designated as a Magnet Recognition Program since2005. Craig is a 93-bed, private, not-for-profit, free-standing long-term acutecare and rehabilitation hospital that provides a comprehensive system ofinpatient and outpatient medical care, rehabilitation, neurosurgicalrehabilitative care, and long-term follow-up services. Half of Craigs patientscome from outside of Colorado, and in 2011 the hospital treated patients from 47 states and several foreign countries. At angiven time, the staff at Craig treats approximately 55 inpatients with spinal cord injuries, 30 with traumatic brain injuries, an50-60 outpatients. Craig provides housing for out-of-state families and outpatients, including the first 30 days free for famlies of new inpatients. Craig Hospital is designated by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Researc(NIDRR) as a Model System Center for both spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Craig is also the NIDRR NationStatistical TBI database for the other model system centers. www.craighospital.org

Brigadier General Dana Capozzela, Colorado National Guard,nominated Mr. Kenneth Beach, President of Cascade InvestmentGroup for the ESGR Patriot Award. General Capozzela is the

Assistant Adjutant General, Army for the state of Colorado and is theprimary advisor on all Army National Guard matters. She also servesas the Commander of the Colorado National Guard and is responsiblefor the readiness, training, and policies for all of the Colorado ArmyNational Guard to support its State and Federal Mission. I have hadthe privilege of working for Cascade Investment Group, Inc. since1996. Kenneth Beach and Craig Ralston asked me to join themwhen they left Smith Barney. We initially were a tiny team of 3

people. We are now a team of 8. They have since day one

supported me in all my military endeavors. They have come tonumerous changes of commands and promotions and even theCONG's 150th Military Ball. They are my "other" family and are

proud of the opportunities I have been offered. It is only throughtheir continued support and that of my family that I have been able to execute the duties as AssistantAdjutant General for the Colorado Army National Guard. These duties often require me to attend numerousconferences, deployment ceremonies, welcome home ceremonies, ground-breaking ceremonies, nursinghome, cemetery and readiness center visits, to name just a few. They have never complained or made mefeel that my duty to the military was in any way a hardship for them. I thank them and am eternally grateful.Cascade Investment Group is a stellar example of an outstanding employer who is worthy to be recognized for theirsuperior support to our nations warriors.

From left, Col Mark Hustedt, ESGR voluntee

Mr. Kenneth Beach, General Capozzella.

L -r; Paula Kauffman, Bruce Erek, Lisa Pee

Jane DeGroff, Bev Skinner, and Dick Youn

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Michael Pearson, CEO of Solidyn Solutions, Inc. inAurora, wanted to know more about ESGR,therefore, ESGR Volunteer, James Garrettpresented a briefing on ESGR and its importance toemployers as well as a Statement of Support thatMike Pearson signed. Mr. Pearson is a GOLDSTARfather of Cpl. Brandon Pearson, USMC.

Colorado Army NationalGuard Color Guard

Fort Carson CO

From left; Major General Anderson, Ft Carson;

Major General Edwards, Colorado AdjutantGeneral, Brigadier General Chilton, US Air Forceacademy,Walmart Reaffirms Support for Colorado

Springs Guard & Reserve Employees on Nov.

12 at National Museum of WWII Aviation.

ESGR ChairmanADM Young (left), Mr.Gary Peacock, Walmart Market Manager

The Statement of Support signing ceremony is a commitmentfrom Walmart to the Employer Support of the Guard andReserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, establishedin 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guardand Reserve service. At any given time, Walmart has betweenthree and four thousand associates on military leave ofabsence.

This is the SOS presentation at Best Buy Store #221, locateat S. Colorado Blvd and Mexico Ave. This store has thhighest sales volume in Colorado. The manager told uthat the corporation has affirmative action in hiring thaincludes vets. From left: Mark Hurst, ESGR volunteer (anBest Buy employee who obtained the SOS), William YoungGeneral Manager, Paula Kauffman, ESGR volunteer.

ESGR Statement of Support Programis the cornerstone of ESGRs effort to gain and maintaemployer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of tprogram is to increase employer support by encouragiemployers to act as advocates for employee participation in tmilitary. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining tstrength and readiness of the nations Guard and Reserve uni

Michael Pearson, CEO of Solidyn Solutions, Inc. in

Aurora, wanted to know more about ESGR. JamesGarrett, ESGR volunteer, presented a brief on why ESGRwould be important to him and his company and aStatement of Support that Mike signed. Mr. Pearson is aGOLD STARfather of Cpl. Brandon Pearson.

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State ESGR Vice ChairTom Mills, Brigadier General,CONG (Ret).

[email protected]

EMPLOYER OUTREACHAREA CHAIRS

Boulder/Longmont

Rebecca Sogn

[email protected]

Colorado Springs

Mark Hustedt

[email protected]

Mary Miller

[email protected]

Cortez Area

Robert [email protected]

Denver Area South

Paula Kauffman

[email protected]

Denver Area North

Michael [email protected]

Douglas County Area

Lorin Ricker

[email protected]

Andrew Montoya

[email protected]

Estes Park Area Chair

Ed Acela

[email protected]

Fort Collins

Ralph Trenary

[email protected]

Grand Junction

Lou Brackett

[email protected]

Pueblo

Harry Vogel

[email protected]

STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION

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

FAX: 720.250.1199

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

[email protected]

COLORADO ESGR

DIRECTORS

Military Outreach

Mary Rathje - [email protected] Ely- Co-director

[email protected]

Employer OutreachBev Skinner- Co-director

[email protected]

Dave Pruett - [email protected]

Ombudsmen

Bill Belz - [email protected] Brown - Deputy

[email protected]

Training

Lynn [email protected]

Special ProgramsKip Cherouteskcheroutes@ Emgacommunica-tions.com

National Guard LiaisonVacant

Public AffairsIris [email protected]

Kelly Mazezka-

Deputy

[email protected]

Employer Initiative Program

Director

Fritz [email protected]

Click on pictures or links for websitesDecember 2012

DECEMBER2-5 HQ ESGR Outreach Subcommittee

Meeting11 United Veterans Committee Mtg13 ESGR Student Veterans

Symposium

31

Volunteer of the Year nominationsdue

JANUARY16-18 Military Veterans Employment

Expo. Centennial, CO21 Freedom Award nomination period

ends.

National Site News and Information

Join Facebook and TwitterBecome a friend of Colorado ESGR

Employment Resources

H2H.jobs www.H2H.jobs

H2H offers valuable resources for Servicemembers by way of hiring fairs, job training,career assessment and military skills transla-tion.Checkhttps://h2h.jobs/livehiringevents for acalendar of events.

Joining Forceshttp://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces

Highlights the workforce potential of veteransand military spouses; expands employment andcareer development opportunities for veterans

and military spouses; and helps employerscreate military family-friendly workplacesColorado Dept. of Labor- Veterans'

Employment and Training Service (VETS) -

http://www.dol.gov/vets/

VETS serves America's veterans andseparating service members by preparing themfor meaningful careers, providing employmentresources and expertise, and protecting theiremployment rights.