HORSHAM, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that CAM Superline, a division of Novae LLC, recently received a Secretary of Defense Freedom Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The Freedom Award is the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

The recipients included small and large private and public sector employers nominated by a National Guard or Reserve Component Service member employed in their organization. Celebrating its 27th year, the Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional employer support, with 340 honorees to date.

ESGR received 1,863 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia. The recipients distinguished themselves by going far beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, or USERRA, to support their National Guard and Reserve employees. Many offered enhanced pay and benefit packages; flexible scheduling and generous leave policies; and pre- and post- deployment support. In addition, they implemented robust training to equip human resource professionals and managers to support their organization’s military serving employees; stayed connected to deployed employees by sending care packages; and took care of their employees’ families during deployments by assisting with household repairs, including them in company functions, or providing financial assistance.

Staff Sgt. Cory Nelson of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard nominated CAM Superline for the award and commented: “Transitioning from military to civilian work is never an easy task. With the right leadership and management team, it’s the perfect combination to help Soldiers join the civilian workforce. The military has prepared me for a leadership role in the civilian workforce which Cam Superline has shown how much they appreciate my knowledge and skills.”

Upon being notified as a Freedom Award recipient, Cam Superline’s Joe Howard stated: “CAM Superline is honored to be recognized for this award. We are proud to partner with our employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve and value their contributions to our company and our nation. This is an opportunity that we do not take lightly. We are grateful to be able to contribute a small role in a larger purpose.”

CAM Superline’s General Manager Jason Stoner was presented with the Freedom Award in a ceremony held at the Pentagon Aug. 30. Presenting the award on behalf of the Secretary of Defense was the Honorable Gilbert Cisneros Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Ron Bogle, ESGR National Chair.

Also, on-hand to participate in the Pentagon ceremony award presentation were the following individuals: CAM Superline’s Heather Carbaugh, Human Resources Representative; Marwin Eckstine, Plant Manager; Marty Kuhar, Pennsylvania State ESGR; and representing Pennsylvania Army Guard, Col. Robert Jorgensen.

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/pa.