June 2015

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We have the distinct pleasure of announcing our new

Colorado State ESGR Chair, Mark Lilevjen (Colonel, USAF Ret.) to the ESGR community and to Colorado. Mr. Lilevjen comes to lead us after his distinctive service to our country in both the private and DoD Sectors. His service earned him titles such as Director of Personnel at AFB’s Space Command Space Command to Project Manager with Northrop Grumman where he continued to raise the standards of excellence while serving our great country. This brings us to the present where Chairman to be Lilevjen eagerly awaits to apply his amassed experience to continue the tradition of leading those who write a blank check payable to the United States of America while fulfilling commitments to career and family.

Established in 1972, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense (DOD) office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components. Mark Lilevjen currently serves in Colorado Springs as both the Area Co-Chair for our Employer Outreach Directorate and the Coordinator of Major Corporations. He became an official ESGR volunteer in 2014 after 12 years in Engineering and Systems Project/Program Management as an employee for Northrop Grumman.

Mr. Lilevjen completed 28 honorable years of active duty service with the United States Air Force (USAF), primarily in the roles of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Space Operations. He has held several positions central to our Nation’s defense to include Command Briefer and Future Concepts Staff Officer at Headquarters (HQ), Strategic Air Command; Minuteman Program Element Monitor; and the Strategic Forces representative on the Air Force Issues Team at HQ USAF; Instructor of the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL; Commander of the 509th Missile Squadron; Deputy Commander and Commander of the 351 Operations Group at Whiteman AFB, MO; Crew Commander of the Space Control Center, Missile Director in the Command Center, Director of Training at Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center; Deputy Commander of the 381st Training Group at Vandenberg AFB, CA; and finally as the Director of Training for Air Force Space Command.

We are honored and proud to welcome Mr. Mark Lilevjen as our new State Chairman of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and look forward to leading our amazing organization into the future once he assumes the title and responsibilities on October 1, 2015.

A New Incoming Colorado ESGR Chairman has been named…...

Article contributed by Logan Taulbee, ESGR volunteer

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The Ombudsman’s Corner

“Advance Notice” is a question that often arises from our guard and reserve members. What does USERRA say about Advance Notice?

The law requires employees to provide their employers with advance notice of military service. Notice may be either written or oral. Notice may be provided by the employee of an appropriate office of the branch of service the employee will be serving.

No notice is required if: Military necessity prevents giving notice; or The giving of notice is otherwise impossible or unreasonable.

“Military necessity” for the purposes of the notice exception is defined as “a mission, operation, exercise or requirement that is classified, or a pending or ongoing mission, operation, exercise or requirement that may be compromised by public knowledge. (See CFR 104.3 or 20 CFR 1002.85)

Colorado Ombudsmen strongly encourage all guard and reserve members to give as much advance notice as possible in order to comply with USERRA and to maintain a positive employer/employee relationship.

Thank you for supporting ESGR!

4 Reasons Why 4 Reasons Why

Employers Should Employers Should

Hire Guard and Hire Guard and

ReservistsReservists

1. The commitment they’ve made to their country says a lot about them and the person you could hire. 2. The management experience they’re gaining in the military outpaces their civilian career 3. Guard and Reservists have a wide and growing worldview grounded by practical working

experience. 4. The time they take away from work will make them more productive for your organization.

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(from left to r i g h t as in

Continued next page…….

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR 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,” said Richard E. Young, Colorado ESGR state chair. The following recipients of the prestigious Patriot Award are nominated by their Reserve Component employee in which the supervisor, manager, or owner has demonstrated outstanding support of their employee.

Tameria Dishman was nominated by Lieutenant Commander John O. Honemann, U.S. Navy Reserve, for her outstanding support for her Reserve Component employee. In his nomination Lieu-tenant Commander Honeman wrote: “Tami understands the requirements of and provides unquestioned support of my USNR duties. As a member of a flex-drill command supporting USNORTHCOM, the majority of my reserve duty occurs during the week. I spend almost a month away from my FAA position on an average year - Tami actively supports these demands. Additionally, she recognizes and smartly leverages my unique skills. I am truly fortunate to gain this level support from a top notch manager and Patriot!” The award was presented by Rick White, ESGR volunteer at the FAA-Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center

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Dan Roses, left, Residential Route Manager for Dan Roses, left, Residential Route Manager for

Waste Management in HendersonWaste Management in Henderson was nominated was nominated

for being highly supportive of the Army National for being highly supportive of the Army National

Guard by his Reserve Component employee, Guard by his Reserve Component employee,

Marc Barr (hard hat). The award was presented Marc Barr (hard hat). The award was presented

by ESGR volunteer, Tonia Martinezby ESGR volunteer, Tonia Martinez.

Patriot Award recipients, Alan Ferguson, VP Sales (pictured Patriot Award recipients, Alan Ferguson, VP Sales (pictured

with award) and Rick Dakin, CEO of with award) and Rick Dakin, CEO of CoalfireCoalfire. Mr. Ferguson . Mr. Ferguson

and Mr. Dakin were nominated for the award for being highly and Mr. Dakin were nominated for the award for being highly

supportive of the National Guard and Reserve by their supportive of the National Guard and Reserve by their

Reserve Component employee, Lieutenant Commander Tom Reserve Component employee, Lieutenant Commander Tom

McAndrews, U.S. Naval Reserve who nominated each of them. McAndrews, U.S. Naval Reserve who nominated each of them.

The award for Mr. Ferguson was presented by ESGR The award for Mr. Ferguson was presented by ESGR

volunteer Tonia Martinez and unfortunately Mr. Dakin was not volunteer Tonia Martinez and unfortunately Mr. Dakin was not

available due to travel commitmentsavailable due to travel commitments.

Christian Beznar, right, Manager for Christian Beznar, right, Manager for AlloSourceAlloSource was was

nominated for being highly supportive of the U.S. Army nominated for being highly supportive of the U.S. Army

Reserve by his Reserve Component employee, Jeffrey M. Reserve by his Reserve Component employee, Jeffrey M.

Ruchie by saying; Ruchie by saying; “Christian Bezenar, National Allograft “Christian Bezenar, National Allograft

Manager, was very support before, during and after my year Manager, was very support before, during and after my year

long deployment to Jordan with the US Army Reserve. He long deployment to Jordan with the US Army Reserve. He

ensured a smooth transition with everyone within AlloSource ensured a smooth transition with everyone within AlloSource

and synchronized customer care and never missed a beat.”and synchronized customer care and never missed a beat.”

The award was presented by ESGR volunteer, Adam SmithThe award was presented by ESGR volunteer, Adam Smith.

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Brenda Garrett, Director Brenda Garrett, Director -- Human Resources, Human Resources,

Chris Lee, CEO and Joen Elliott, RecruitmentChris Lee, CEO and Joen Elliott, Recruitment

presented with a Statement of Support by presented with a Statement of Support by

Becky Small, Hero2Hired Employment Becky Small, Hero2Hired Employment

CoordinatorCoordinator--Colorado. Colorado.

Colorado’s Supporting Employers

Employees of the Viewhouse Eatery Employees of the Viewhouse Eatery

in Centennial presented with a in Centennial presented with a

Statement of Support by Becky Statement of Support by Becky

Small, Hero2Hired Employment Small, Hero2Hired Employment

CoordinatorCoordinator--Colorado. Colorado.

LeeLee--Ann Hayes, Principal, Castle Rock Middle Ann Hayes, Principal, Castle Rock Middle

School, Castle RockSchool, Castle Rock presented with a presented with a

Statement of Support by Robert Rotruck, Statement of Support by Robert Rotruck,

ESGR volunteer.ESGR volunteer.

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Activity at the Employer Event (day 3) during the May 2015 Military Activity at the Employer Event (day 3) during the May 2015 Military

and Veterans Employment Expoand Veterans Employment Expo

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Paula Golden with Patriot Award and Sgt Bret Martin,

award nominator

Colorado Employers showing their support via Statements of Support presented Colorado Employers showing their support via Statements of Support presented

by John Schutt at our May 2015 Miltary and Veterans Employment Expo.by John Schutt at our May 2015 Miltary and Veterans Employment Expo.

Colorado’s Supporting Employers

Click on pictures or links for websites

STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Brent Hamilton - Program Support Technician

720-250-1176 brent.l.hamilton2.ctr@mail.mil

Chandra Hance – AST-Administrative Support Technician 720.250.1189 chandra.l.hance.ctr@mail.mil

Becky Small - Employment Coordinator

720-250-1188 rebecca.s.small.ctr@mail.mil

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs

COESGR Business Office

12200 East Briarwood Avenue, Suite 160

Centennial, Co 80112 FAX: 720.250.1199

State ESGR Vice Chair Tom Mills, Brigadier General,

CONG (Ret).

EMPLOYER OUTREACH

AREA CHAIRS

Alamosa Dan Powell

Boulder Tonia Martinez

Colorado Springs Mark Lilevjen Bob Landry

Cortez Area Robert Valencia

Denver Area Bruce Erek Rick White

Douglas County Area

Bob Rotruck Dick Wilson

Estes Park Area Chair Open

Fort Lyon/Tri County Leanne Wheeler

Larimer/Weld County Jeanie & Brian Hand

Longmont vacant

Grand Junction Lou Brackett Bret Mixon

Montrose Emily Smith

Pueblo Harry Vogel

Jon Brude

Steamboat Springs Jim Stanko

State ESGR Chair Richard E. Young, RADM, USN (Ret)

COLORADO ESGR DIRECTORS

Military Outreach Darrell Williamson - Director

Employer Outreach Bev Skinner - Co-director

Dave Pruett - Co-director

EO Coordinators, Major

Corporations-

Mark Lilevjen

Brian Bartony

Ombudsmen

Bill Belz - Director

Martin Cobb - Co- Director

Aaron Lechner - Dep. Dir.

Lara Makinen - Coordinator

Training Lynn Albi

Paula Kauffman - Dep. Dir.

Special Programs

Kip Cheroutes - Director

National Guard Liaison Liz Kelpis

Public Affairs

Brian Moore - Director Sandy Tiegen - Dep. Dir.

James Garrett - Newsletter Editor

Employer Initiatives Robby Castle - Director

Paul Dunbar - Deputy

Mentors Coordinator - Zach Jacobsen

Job Fairs Coordinator - Chase Dinkler

MVEE Coordinators - Jason Shireman

Elaine Edon

Bosslift Coordinator - Brian Bartony

National Site News and Information Join Facebook and Twitter

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2015 Events Calendar

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19 July ……. Briefing with Bosses at

the NOSC Buckley

24-26 July…. National Volunteer Leadership Training,

Arlington VA

31 July …….. 302nd Air Wing Boss Lift

11-13 Sep…. Employer Outreach

Directorate Retreat

Colorado’s ESGR Electronic Newsletter is published not only for the information and benefit of the members of the Colorado ESGR 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 ESGRcolorado@yahoo.com

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