oct-nov 09 esgr newsletter

8/14/2019 Oct-nov 09 Esgr Newsletter

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Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and ReserveOctoberNovember 2009

2010 Freedom Award

nominations begin

The nomination period forthe 2010 Department of De-fense Employer SupportFreedom Award began on

November 2. As you conductyour Military Outreach ac-tivities, please take advan-

tage of any opportunity toencourage Reserve Compo-nent members to nominateemployers for the FreedomAward if they have goneabove and beyond the re-quirements of USERRA.There are many employersthroughout the nation deserv-ing of the award, but it allstarts with a service or familymember nomination.

Nominations will be ac-cepted at www.FreedomAward.mil through January

18, 2010. The FreedomAward is the highest recogni-tion given by the U.S. Gov-ernment to employers fortheir outstanding support oftheir employees who serve inthe National Guard and Re-serve.

This year is the 15th anni-versary of the FreedomAward. Information on thenomination process, is avail-able at www.FreedomAward.mil.

Ayers appointed Chair of Illinois ESGR committeeMichael Ayers, Executive

Vice President of the IllinoisChamber of Commerce, wasrecently appointed Chairmanof the Illinois Committee forEmployer Support of theGuard and Reserve.

Ayers takes over chairman-ship of the committee fromJohn Scully, who led the com-mittee for the past six years.He will serve a three-yearterm as Illinois ESGR StateChair.

In addition to his Chamberposition, Ayers is ProfessorEmeritus of Economics, Uni-versity of Illinois at Spring-field; Advisory Board mem-

ber, Lincolns ChallengeAcademy; board member ofthe Illinois National Guardand Militia Historical Society;and member of the Spring-field Military Affairs Com-mittee. His previous position

with ESGR was Illinois Em-ployer Outreach Chair.

Ayers earned his Doctor ofPhilosophy in Economicsfrom the University of Okla-homa, and served honorablyas a non-commissioned offi-cer in the Texas Army Na-tional Guard. He and his wife,Ruth Ann, reside in Spring-field.

James Rebholz, National

Chairman for the NationalCommittee for ESGR con-gratulated Ayers on beingselected for his new positionas State Chair of the Illinoiscommittee and said Ayershas the ability and responsi-

bility to reshape the IllinoisESGR Field Committee tomeet the challenges of in-creased National Guard andReserve mobilizations and therenewed focus on ESGR Em-

ployer Outreach Programs.

Announcement of Ayersappointment to the StateChair position was made inJune and he officially tookover responsibility of the Illi-nois ESGR committee onSept. 29.

Michael Ayers

State Chair, Illinois ESGR

Scully honored for service as Illinois ESGR State Chair

SCULLY HONORED: James Rebholz, National Chairman for the Na-

tional Committee for ESGR, presents outgoing Illinois ESGR State

Chair, John Scully, with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Out-

standing Public Service.

John Scully, outgoing StateChair of the Illinois Commit-tee for Employer support ofthe Guard and Reserve, wasrecognized at a banquet Sept.29 for his service to Illinoisemployers and Reserve Com-

ponent service members dur-ing two terms as chair of Illi-nois ESGR.

For his outstanding leader-ship as Illinois ESGR StateChair, Scully received theSecretary of Defense Medalfor Outstanding Public Ser-vice. James Rebholz, Na-tional Chairman for the Na-tional Committee for ESGR,

presented the award duringthe banquet honoring Scullyheld at Great Lakes NavalTraining Station.

Scully served as chairmanof the Illinois ESGR Commit-tee from January 2004 to

leaders and professionals tobecome volunteers with theIllinois ESGR committee.

September 2009, duringwhich time he energeticallyrecruited prominent business


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Message from the State Chair ...

Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and ReservePage 2

Illinois Employer Support ofthe Guard and ReserveEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

State ChairMichael Ayers

Employer OutreachTerri Bergagna

Military OutreachTerry McCollom

Ombudsman DirectorRon Bacci

AwardsGloria Guy

Public AffairsMichael Holub

North West ChairWilliam Glynn

North Central ChairTerry McCollom

Central East ChairTom Murgatroyd

South East ChairDayton Loyd

South West ChairClyde Jones

Central West ChairJohn Sheedy

North West ChairRick Pollack

FULL-TIME STAFFExecutive DirectorLTC Tim Franklin

217-761-3642

[email protected]

Program AssistantsJean Collier

217-761-3971

[email protected] Dibble

708-824-6010

[email protected]

MAILING ADDRESSIllinois ESGR

1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Springfield, IL 62702

I am honored to have beenchosen to serve as Chair for

the Illinois Employer Supportof the Guard and Re-serve Committee and lookforward to working with all ofyou during the coming threeyears.

On behalf of the CommitteeI again want to thank outgo-ing State Chair, John Scully,for his leadership, commit-ment and dedication to ESGR

and our important mis-sion. John has left us a greatbase of volunteers and senseof direction that makesour volunteer jobs much eas-ier.

I also want to commendTom Murgatroyd for his greatservice as executive directorwhile Lt. Col. Tim Franklinwas deployed with the 33rdBrigade Combat Team. Ifyou have an opportunity tospeak with either John orTom, please let them know

how much we appreciate theirgreat service. Through thisnewsletter I would like tosay: Welcome back Tim. Weare happy to have yousafely home in our ranks.

I would also like to identifythe Committee leadershipteam for the next few years. Iam very pleased that Terry

McCollom will be continuingas Military Outreach Chair

and Mike Holub has agreed tocontinue as Public AffairsChair. In addition, Terri Ber-gagna has agreed to step intothe Employer Outreach Chair

position. We have recruitedGloria Guy, Vice Presidentfor Business Services for theIllinois Chamber to serve asAwards Chair going forward.

On the Area Chair front,Bill Glynn and Rick Pollackhave graciously agreed tocontinue as Chairs in the

North East and North West

Areas. Jay Sheedy, recentlyretired Assistant AdjutantGeneral for the Illinois Air

National Guard, has agreed tojoin us as the Central WestArea Chair while Tom Mur-gatroyd has agreed to join ourvolunteer ranks as CentralEast Area Chair. Clyde Joneswill continue as the SouthWest Area Chair and DaytonLoyd will rejoin us as theSouth East Area Chair. We allwelcome Capt. Loyd homefrom his tour with the 33rd

BCT as well. Dayton, wereglad to have you back.

On another front, at the endof September the ExecutiveCommittee met at GreatLakes Naval Training Stationto map strategies and tacticsthat will guide our efforts inaccomplishing the goals setfor us by NCESGR and thosewe have chosen for our-selves. We will be workinginto the first quarter of 2010to lay a solid groundwork toincrease the number of unit

briefings, signed Statementsof Support and other impor-tant activities to support Illi-nois employers and Guardand Reserve members.

We are now in the processof discussing how best toreach those goals. We willask your participation in forg-ing ahead during our Annual

Training Conference that isnow scheduled for January 15-16, 2010.

Our success is tied to yourcontinued strong commitmentto the mission and vision ofESGR. Clearly, without astrong volunteer base like wehave in Illinois, we would not

be able to provide the needed

support to our employers andtroops.

Please mark your calen-dars. The full-time staff isworking with contractingto identify and secure a con-ference hotel. We have in-vited Senator Richard Durbinto be our dinner speaker. Wewill share more details on the2010 training conference asthey become available.

I would be remiss in endingthis note without thanking

Jean Collier and ChristinaDibble for a great job in sup-porting our volunteer efforts. Ilook forward to working witheach of you. Please do nothesitate to contact me if youhave thoughts or ques-tions about the Committeesorganization, operations andgoals or if you would simplylike to chat.

Michael AyersState Chair, Illinois ESGR

Our success is tied toyour continued strong

commitment to themission and vision of

ESGR. Clearly, without astrong volunteer base like

we have in Illinois, we wouldnot be able to provide the

needed support to ouremployers and troops.

Michael Ayers

Chair, Illinois ESGR


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Governor signs Statement

of Support on behalf of State

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Page 3Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Pauline K. Brunelli, Executive Director, National Committeefor Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, was joinedrecently by Illinois ESGR members for an early morning as-sembly at the Navistar Defense Headquarters. Dozens of Navis-tar Defense employees lined balconies and stairways to observeBrunelli present the ESGR Statement of Support to NavistarDefense, LLC.

Merritt Becker of Navistar Defense served as Emcee for theceremony and welcomed the attendees and spoke about the cru-cial role of Navistar in our nations defense. He then introducedthe guests, which included Brunelli, Brig. Gen. John Hughes,Assistant Adjutant GeneralAir, Illinois National Guard; Col.Gary Brinner, Human Resource Officer, Illinois NationalGuard; and Illinois ESGR committee members Michael Ayers,Terry McCollum, Ron Bacci, and Michael Holub. Many of the

Navistar Defense management team were also present for theoccasion.

Ayers explained the role of ESGR and the significance of theStatement of Support. He then introduced Brunelli, whothanked Navistar Defense for their fine support of their Na-tional Guard and Reserve employees, recognizing that Navistaralso has many employees who have served our Armed Forces.

Navistar Defense SOS signing demonstrates Guard, Reserve support

SOS PRESENTATION: Pauline K. Brunelli (right), Executive Director, Na-

tional Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve,

presents a Statement of Support to Navistar Defense at a recent

ceremony at the companys Illinois headquarters.

PHOTO LEFT: Michael Holub (right), Public Affairs Chair for the Illinois Com-

mittee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, looks on as Illi-

nois Governor, Pat Quinn (D-Ill.) signs a Statement of Support for the

National Guard and Reserve on behalf of the State of Illinois. Quinn

signed the SOS recently during the Chicago drive-time Johnny B radio

Show. Signing a Statement of Support is a public acknowledgement by

an employer of the critical role service members in the Reserve Compo-

nents play in our national defense.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinnrecently appeared on the Jona-than Johnny B BrandmeierShow (WLUPFM) and duringthe live broadcast signed newlegislation enhancing entitle-ments for Illinois Guard andReserve members. While on theChicago radio show Quinn alsosigned the ESGR Statement ofSupport on behalf of the State ofIllinois.

The bill Quinn signed expandsthe reasons for which publicemployees who are also mem-

bers of the United States ArmedForces may be granted leave ofabsence or compensation from

their employer. The bill takeseffect January 1, 2010 and clari-fies that any training or dutyrequired by the United StatesArmed Forces is included in theStates' current Military Leave ofAbsence Act.

Long known as a supporter ofveterans and members of theArmed Services, Quinn was then

presented with a SOS by IllinoisESGR Public Affairs Director,Michael Holub. Johnny B,host of the show, read the State-ment of Support on-air live asthe Governor signed it duringthe morning drive-time broad-cast.


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Deere & Company headquarters signs Statement of Support

tions, McGinnis added.First, it publicly demon-strates the strong level of sup-

port for our Guard and Re-serve. Secondly, it sends a

clear message to the servicemembers that, while theyreserving their country, they donot have to worry about theircivilian jobs.

Deere & Company has along history of providing sup-

port to its employees in themilitary. By signing this State-ment of Support, John Deereshows its commitment to em-

ployees who serve our countryand honors those employeeswho are in the National Guardand Reserve, said Mert Horn-

buckle, Vice President of Hu-man Resources.

Deere & Company signed aStatement of Support for the

National Guard and Reserve atits Moline corporate headquar-ters on October 13, joiningwith the other Fortune 500Corporations and thousands ofemployers in pledging to fullyrecognize, honor and enforcethe Uniformed Services Em-

ployment and Re-EmploymentRights Act.

This is the right thing to doand the right time to do itsaid David L. McGinnis, Prin-cipal Deputy Assistant Secre-tary of Defense for Reserve

Affairs. I am asking all of theFortune 500 to re-affirm thattheir current human resource

policies are a leading exampleof compliance with the spiritand the letter of the Uni-formed Services Employmentand Reemployment RightsAct.

A Statement of Supportserves two very vital func-

Deere & Company providesadvanced products and ser-vices for agriculture, forestry,construction, lawn and turfcare, landscaping and irriga-tion.

DEERE & COMPANY: David McGinnis (from left), Principal Deputy Assis-tant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, joins Mert Hornbuckle,

Deere & Company; Maj. Gen. William Enyart, The Adjutant General of

Illinois; and Michael Ayers, Illinois EGSR at a recent SOS signing.

Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and ReservePage 4

By signing this Statementof Support, John Deereshows its commitment

to employees whoserve our country.

Mert Hornbuckle

Deere & Company

EnviroVac Waste Transport Systems of Jacksonville was re-cently honored with an ESGR Patriotic Employer Award in rec-ognition of their extraordinary support of an employee whoserves in the Air Force Reserve Command.

The award publicly recognizes employers who provide out-standing patriotic support and cooperation to their employees,who have answered their nations call to serve. The PatrioticEmployer Award is presented after ESGR receives a nominationfrom a Guardsman or Reservist currently serving.

Blake Corley, a driver for EnviroVac and a Technical Sergeantin the Air Force Reserve, recognized his company with a nomi-nation in August 2009.

Jacksonville company receives Patriot Award

PHOTO LEFT: BrianDyche (right) of Envi-

roVac Waste Trans-

port Systems is pic-

tured accepting the

Patriotic Employer

Award from Illinois

ESGR member, Tom

Murgatroyd at a re-

cent award presenta-

tion ceremony in

Jacksonville.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SIGNS SOS:

Gary Hannig of Litchfield, Illinois Secretary of Transportation, signs

a Statement of Support with the Illinois Employer Support of the

Guard and Reserve Committee in Springfield at Illinois Depart-

ment of Transportation on Oct. 21. This signing by IDOT reaffirms

that the jobs of Illinois National Guard and Reservists who deploy

are protected. It means that when Guard and Reserve members

return from deployment or other military duty, they can be confi-

dent their job is waiting for them. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Aleah

Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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