JACKSON – State Auditor Stacey Pickering received the Patriot Award from ESGR, Employer Support Of The Guard and Reserve, during a press conference today where he was joined by Governor Phil Bryant.
From left to right: Governor Phil Bryant, Senior Airman Susan Syverson (Air National Guard), State Auditor Stacey Pickering, ESGR State Chairman Jack Wallace, Captain David Alexander (Army National Guard)
This award was presented to Auditor Pickering, a Chaplain in the Mississippi Air National Guard, for his support of employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.
“It is an honor to receive the Patriot Award for the second time while serving as State Auditor,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “I have and will continue to value all men and women in our armed forces, and I encourage them to serve our country knowing that they have the full support of this agency.
Auditor Pickering was nominated for this award by Susan Syverson, an Investigator with the State Auditor’s Office who serves in the Mississippi Air National Guard 255th Air Traffic Control Squadron. Pickering received his first Patriot Award in March 2009.
According to Jack Wallace, Mississippi ESGR State Chair, “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, and who, like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Stacey Pickering was nominated for being highly supportive of the National Guard by his Reserve Component employee, Susan Syverson. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
ESGR is a Department of Defense Operational Committee established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging the employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
Video from today’s presentation can be viewed here:
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