In 1972, the United States Department of Defense established the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to operate out of all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Acting within a national and local organizational structure, the ESGR offers the following key services: (1) advocate on behalf of employers, service members and families, (2) inform and educate services members and civilian employer as well as offer (3) consultation and mediation services concerning USERRA compliance and (4) recognize employers that support employee participation of the National Guard and Reserve.
On Monday, October 6, 2014, the Northern Kentucky Fourth Congressional Support of the Guard & Reserve, in collaboration with the Florence Rotary Club, recognized several local employers for their commitment and support of service members and their families.
Presenter Rod Bell, a Northern KY ESGR Volunteer, welcomed and praised the local employers. He commended the employers for “stepping out of their comfort zone,” to recruit service members, retain service member jobs, assist member families with benefits, and promote service members. “We are extremely grateful for what you provide,” he said. He then introduced fellow presenters, Mr. Bob Silverthorn, ESGR, Chair Emeritus, along with Sheriff Charles L Korzenborn, Kenton County Sheriff’s Department, and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary W. Moore.
Mr. Silverthorn, Chair Emeritus, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to each of the employers. “We wouldn’t have resiliency without your support,” he said. He explained the importance of the Employment Initiative Program (EIP). Its goal is to improve employment opportunities for transitioning service members while enabling America’s employers to tap into the pool of talented men and women resident in the Guard and Reserve. “As a result, participants excel,” he said.
