HomeMy WebLinkAboutPress Release - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve(ESGR)
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • keidsness@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Receives Award from Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve
Edina, Minn., Aug. 17, 2015 – The City of Edina was given the Patriotic Employer Award July 29 by the
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
The ESGR “promotes supportive work environments for service members through outreach, recognition and
educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws and resolves employer conflicts between
the service members and their employers.”
“The City of Edina was extremely supportive of me during the hiring process for becoming a Police Officer
after I received my deployment notification. Even though the deployment was ultimately cancelled, it made me
very proud to work for an organization that went out of their way to support my military obligation during a
challenging time," said Officer Justin Patterson, who nominated the City for the award.
Patterson was working for the Edina Police Department as a Community Service Officer while completing his
police schooling. He had applied for an open Police Officer position for the Department when his Army
National Guard unit was notified of deployment to Liberia to assist in helping combat the global Ebola threat
as part of Operation United Assistance. The Department – specifically administrative staff Chief Dave Nelson
and Deputy Chief Jeff Elasky – provided Patterson the opportunity to continue the application process,
despite the conflict of deployment.
“The City of Edina has a long-standing tradition of supporting our employees who give their time to our
country’s military,” said Elasky. “When an employee is deployed, they have so much to worry about back at
home that their job should be one of the last things on their mind. We assure our employees that the
Department supports them.”
Patterson did not end up going to Liberia as his deployment was cancelled. He went through the hiring
process and accepted a job as a Police Officer in May.
“It’s nice to be recognized, but getting an award isn’t why we support our staff in the Guard and Reserve,”
said Sgt. Kevin Rofidal.
For more information on the ESGR, visit visit www.esgr.mil.
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