Michigan Committee for ESGR

Kyle Flint, supervisor at Conti LLC was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award in July. Mr. Flint was nominated by Specialist Seth S. Sablack of the Army National Guard. Spc. Sablack, who was deployed at the time of this award presentation, said that Conti has been there for him through all military service challenges including both the scheduled and unscheduled absences that can cause a hardship for the company and his team. They are proud of his military service! Thank you to Conti and Mr. Flint for your support of our service members! This award was presented by ESGR Volunteer Fred Kaiser. #WeAllServe Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

In July, ESGR Volunteer Fred Kaiser presented two supervisors with the ESGR Patriot Award while they were on the job at a construction project! Joshua Watson and Michael Jacobs of Stoneleigh Construction LLC were nominated for the award by Specialist Desmond Witczak of the Army National Guard. Spc. Witczak said, “Mr. Watson and Mr. Jacobs are highly supportive of my National Guard service, even when I am called on short notice. They outwardly recognize me as a special asset because I am in the National Guard, along with hiring someone to fill in for me when I am on annual training duty, without penalizing me.” Thank you Mr. Watson and Mr. Jacobs for your outstanding support! Pictured from left is Michael Jacobs, Spc. Desmond Witczak, Joshua Watson, and Fred Kaiser. #WeAllServe Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

On July 19th Master Sergeant Misty Seward of the Michigan Army National Guard in Ypsilanti was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award! MSgt. Seward was nominated by Staff Sergeant Brent L. Kearns of the MI Army National Guard. SSgt. Kearns, who was on deployment at the time of this award presentation, stated, “MSG Seward has been amazing with assisting pre-deployment soldiers with training, equipment and time off, prior to Mobilization. MSG Seward sets the best example for what a good soldier should be and what we should strive for.” Thank you MSgt. Seward for your outstanding leadership! Presenting the award is ESGR Volunteer Fred Kaiser (pictured right). #WeAllServe Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

Nicole Crocker, Nurse Manager at Trinity Health in Ann Arbor was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award earlier this month! She was nominated by Sergeant Aurpita Akbar of the Army National Guard (pictured left) who is a nurse at Trinity Health. Sgt. Akbar stated, “Nicole has been a great manager since I have started by career in the army. She has always been flexible and generous with my hectic military career, through deployment for Operation Inherent Resolve, through state orders for Operation Ice Storm. She has always supported me in the very last minute when I have to leave for orders even though it creates a huge hole in our staff schedule for work. She has continued to be inspiring and motivating in helping manage my army and civilian life. She has been a great support when I was having a hard time reintegrating my life after deployment which I will always appreciate.” Thank you Nicole for being an outstanding manager! Also pictured are the military branch flags in the lobby of the hospital. This award was presented by ESGR Volunteer Fred Kaiser. #weallserve Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

On June 18, 2025, a Patriot Award was presented to Mr Kenneth Cummings, Ms. Karyn Belanger, Mr. Matthew Biskner, and Ms. Melissa Westrick of TRI-HOSPITAL EMS in Port Huron, MI. They were nominated by First Lieutenant Wyatt Riehl of the U.S. Air National Guard. Lt. Riehl said, “these leaders of Tri-Hospital EMS went above and beyond and facilitated staff to cover all shifts at a moment’s notice without hesitation. Further, they ensured I was compensated for my time and assisted in financially securing my family by providing me with paid time-off when it was not required. They have been very appreciative of my service and have always supported and gone above and beyond adjusting my schedule to accommodate my Air National Guard Commitments.” Thank you to Tri-Hospital EMS and these outstanding supervisors for their support of our service members! These awards were presented by MI ESGR State Vice Chair Cindy Sanders. #weallserve Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

Andy Primeaux at Menominee County 911 was recently presented with the ESGR Patriot Award! Mr. Primeaux was nominated by Sergeant First Class Sara Buzard of the U.S. Army Reserve, 102nd Military Police Company. Sgt. 1st Class Buzard said, "Andy has gone out of his way to make sure I never feel like my service commitment is a burden to the department, which is a big change from my last supervisor. Andy always steps in to help our department when there are staffing shortages. Being a veteran himself, he really understand the difficulties there can be balancing military/work/home. I have one less thing to weigh on me when he says, 'We will hold it down here, and see you when you get back'." Thank you Mr. Primeaux for your service to our country and your outstanding support of our service members! Presenting the award is ESGR U.P. Area Chair Pamela Basal (right). #WeAllServe Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

Supervisor Joey Albanys at Trident Maritime Systems in Kingsford, MI was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award on May 13th! Mr. Albanys was nominated by Staff Sergeant Logan Poll of the Army National Guard. Staff Sgt. Poll said, "My direct supervisor has allowed me the opportunity to serve my country without worrying about work. He has taken over my projects and allowed me leave without every questioning dates, purpose, or requiring further explanation. He exemplifies how an employer should treat his employees. The company as a whole has been wonderful regarding this, but Joey has provided extraordinary support." Staff Sgt. Poll goes on to discuss the outstanding support that Trident Maritime Systems has given him, "Even during the initial hiring process two years ago, they worked around my schedule while I was deployed overseas in Syria. Conducting interviews with helicopters and under darkness would've scared most employers away, but immediately I understood how Joey and team valued my service. That idea has never faltered since then, and I am continually impressed. I could go on all day about the support given, but to sum it up I've never seen a better organization and how it deals with the citizen-soldier mentality." Thank you Joey and Trident Maritime Systems for your outstanding support and understanding of our service members! Presenting the award is ESGR U.P. Area Chair Pamela Basal (center). Joey Albanys (left) and Staff Sgt. Logan Poll (right). #weallserve Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

On May 15th, Marty Coopes at Frankenmuth Insurance was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award! Mr. Coopes was nominated by First Lieutenant Justin McCoy of the Army National Guard who said,"During state active-duty Ready Reserve Force activation and on short notice, my immediate supervisor Marty Coopes went above and beyond to address the financial needs of me and my family. His dedication to me, my work in the Michigan Army National Guard, and my family went above and beyond the requirements for them. This single action provided stability for me and my family in an ongoing mission with no end date." Thank you Mr. Coopes for your outstanding support of our service members! #WeAllServe Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

Lori Cool, Medical Supervisor at the Genesee County Jail was presented with the ESGR Patriot Award last week! Ms. Cool was nominated by 2nd Lieutenant Rafal Zywalewski, Army National Guard, Medical Detachment Light Guard Armory on 8 mile in Detroit, MI. Zywalewski said in his nomination that Lori "is a manager and a leader that proudly lives by the core Army values. She displays a strong leadership role while in the Genesee County Jail and whatever issue we have, whether professional or personal, Lori will handle it and give us the correct guidance. Lori is a mentor and has shaped me into a better correctional nurse. She has supplied me with study material in order to pursue national accreditation and let me borrow her own personal books while away on military orders. Lori has shown a sense of duty by always being ready to help out and lead the jail with a high standard of care for our patients." He goes on to say, "Lori has shown me nothing but respect for my service and would bring me in to find common ground so that way my work schedule is solid and taken care of months in advance so that I don't have to worry. Even when I stepped off for a month of BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course) training Lori was checking in on me to see how I was doing." Supervisor and managers that ensure our service members civilian careers are secure while away on duty allow the service member to fully focus on their duties! Zywalewski completed his nomination by saying, "Her view of duty and selfless service goes hand and hand because she wants this place to thrive and have all of our patients taken care. She takes pride and honor in what she does, despite the fact that some other branches might not get along with medical division in the jail setting. Lori stands tall and always lifts the medical department morale and delivery of care to the highest standard." Thank you Lori for your outstanding leadership and support of our service members! The award was presented by ESGR East Area Chair Paul DeSander. Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) #WeAllServe