Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve - ESGR

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Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve - ESGR Welcome to the Ohio ESGR's official Facebook fan page. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here.

ESGR is a DoD office that seeks to develop and promote a culture in which all employers support and value the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees. We will post the most recent news, videos, photos and blog posts from our Reserve Component service members and their Ohio employers. For more information, please visit our official home page at www.esgr.mil

While this is an open forum, it's also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. If you don't comply, your message will be removed:

- We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization.

- We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Similarly, we do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency.

- We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity.

- You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided.

- Finally, the appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the Department of Defense. Follow us on Twitter@ ohiostateesgr

If you serve in the Guard or Reserve, here’s your chance to recognize an employer who goes above and beyond to support y...
10/21/2026

If you serve in the Guard or Reserve, here’s your chance to recognize an employer who goes above and beyond to support your military service!

The Secretary of War Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest U.S. government recognition for employers supporting Guard and Reserve employees.

Nominations are open until December 31, 2026, and take just 15 minutes!

Nominate your employer:https://esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/SecDef-Employer-Support-Freedom-Award/Home

Behind every strong relationship between civilian employers and our military community is someone committed to making it...
10/20/2026

Behind every strong relationship between civilian employers and our military community is someone committed to making it work.

For Ohio ESGR, Mark Williams is one of those people.

With 16 years of dedicated service as an Ohio ESGR volunteer, Mark serves as Ohio ESGR Ombudsman Director, helping employers and National Guard and Reserve members navigate workplace challenges related to military service.

How can an ESGR Ombudsman help you?
Whether you're an employer with questions about military leave or a Service member experiencing workplace challenges, ESGR Ombudsmen provide guidance and impartial mediation to help resolve misunderstandings and find common ground.

For employers: Get guidance on your responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), including military leave and reemployment rights.

For Guard and Reserve members: Get assistance addressing employment concerns related to military service, including leave, returning to work, and potential discrimination.

For both: Find a neutral resource to help work through disputes, clarify responsibilities, and build stronger employer-Service member relationships.

Have a question or need assistance? Mark is a resource for Ohio employers and Service members.

📞 513-720-6720
📧 [email protected]

Learn more about Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at www.esgr.mil.

10/15/2026

Thank you American Electric Power - AEP for fostering a culture that recognizes the value of military service and stands behind the employees who balance their professional responsibilities with their commitment to our nation.

When employers support those who serve, they make a meaningful difference not only in the lives of service members and their families, but also in strengthening our communities and our nation.

Ohio ESGR Central Region Chair Bob Skinner recently presented a Seven Seals Award to AEP and a Patriot Award to Tim Wells for their outstanding support of those who serve.

Thank you, AEP, for demonstrating what it means to support those in uniform! Your commitment makes a difference.

Nearly 50% of America’s military is made up of National Guard and Reserve members who balance the demands of military se...
10/14/2026

Nearly 50% of America’s military is made up of National Guard and Reserve members who balance the demands of military service with their civilian careers and family responsibilities. 🇺🇸

Behind many of these citizen-warriors are employers who go above and beyond by providing flexibility, understanding, and ongoing support when duty calls.

The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees. This award is presented annually by the Secretary of War and honors organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the men and women who serve our nation.

If you are a Reserve Component Member, you know firsthand who stands behind you.

Now, it’s your opportunity to recognize them.

If your employer has supported your military service, accommodated your training and deployments, supported your family during absences, or simply made it easier to serve both your country and your community, consider nominating them for this distinguished honor.

Nominations must come from a current Guard or Reserve member employed by the organization being nominated, or from a family member acting on their behalf.

Your employer’s support makes a difference. Help us recognize the organizations that make serving our country possible by nominating them for the Secretary of War Employer Support Freedom Award.

For more details or to nominate your employer, visit https://esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/SecDef-Employer-Support-Freedom-Award/Home.

Happy Birthday U.S. Navy!
10/13/2026

Happy Birthday U.S. Navy!

Congratulations to American Electric Power, a Columbus company, that was recognized a few weeks ago with an ESGR Seven S...
10/12/2026

Congratulations to American Electric Power, a Columbus company, that was recognized a few weeks ago with an ESGR Seven Seals Award for its outstanding commitment to supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve!

For one AEP employee, Nick Sparks, PMP, the decision to join the U.S. Army Reserve was made with the support of a company that values military service and understands its importance. As a husband and father, knowing his employer stood behind him provided the confidence to pursue his commitment to our nation while continuing to grow professionally.

AEP’s support extends well beyond compliance with USERRA - they ensure that returning service members retain seniority, pay progression, and eligibility for merit increases.

The ESGR Seven Seals Award recognizes exceptional support and contributions to promoting a culture which employers support and value military service of their employees.

Congratulations also to Tim Wells for receiving an ESGR Patriot Award! The Patriot Award honors supervisors who provide outstanding support to those serving in the Guard or Reserve. These managers demonstrate a strong commitment to military service members and go above and beyond to assist both the employee and their family.

Ohio ESGR Central Region Chair Bob Skinner presented Tim Wells with the Patriot Award, and Brian Sherrick with the Seven Seals Award.

Both nominations were from Specialist Nick Sparks of the US Army Reserve and were presented at a small ceremony. In his nomination, Specialist Sparks wrote, “AEP has created a culture where employees do not have to choose between serving their country and building a successful career. By recognizing the value that military service brings to the workplace and providing meaningful support before, during, and after military service, AEP demonstrates an unwavering commitment to its citizen-soldiers. Their support enables employees like me to answer the call to serve while continuing to contribute at a high level, making AEP truly deserving the ESGR Seven Seals Award.” He added, “Tim Wells has been exceptionally supportive of my decision to serve in the U. S. Army Reserve. From the beginning, he has encouraged my service, worked with me to accommodate my military commitments, and has been understanding of my upcoming military training.”

Thank you to AEP for demonstrating what meaningful employer support looks like and for standing alongside our citizen-soldiers, their families, and the men and women who dedicate themselves to serving our country.

When employers stand behind those who serve, our entire nation benefits.

For more information or to nominate your employer for an award, visit www.ESGR.mil.

Pictured below are L to R: Bob Skinner, Tim Wells, and Brian Sherrick.

Happy Columbus Day!
10/12/2026

Happy Columbus Day!

Congratulations to Ohio's recent ESGR Patriot Award recipient, Paul Cost of American Electric Power!The ESGR Patriot Awa...
10/10/2026

Congratulations to Ohio's recent ESGR Patriot Award recipient, Paul Cost of American Electric Power!

The ESGR Patriot Award honors supervisors and employers who provide outstanding support to employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. Recipients demonstrate a strong commitment to military service members by accommodating training and deployment responsibilities, supporting military-related absences, fostering a military-friendly workplace culture, and going above and beyond to assist both the employee and their family.

A few weeks ago, Ohio ESGR Central Chair Bob Skinner presented the award to Mr. Cost, who was nominated by his employee, 2LT Quazi Islam of the Army National Guard.

In his nomination, Quazi wrote, “My supervisor Paul Cost is an excellent example for Leadership, Professionalism and morale. During my 1 year of being with AEP, he has supported me with my Military Drill schedule and always provided resources on how to better myself as an employee.”

Thank you Paul for supporting our citizen warriors!

Ohio Committee - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of War Field Activity. For more information, visit www.ESGR.mil.

Pictured below Left to Right: Bob Skinner, Paul Cost and 2LT Quazi Islam.

Congratulations to recent Patriot Award recipients – Samantha Hopton and Michael Young from OhioHealth!The ESGR Patriot ...
10/08/2026

Congratulations to recent Patriot Award recipients – Samantha Hopton and Michael Young from OhioHealth!

The ESGR Patriot Award recognizes supervisors or employers who demonstrate exceptional support for an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, such as supporting military service and training obligations, accommodating military-related absences, creating a workplace culture that respects military service and goes above and beyond to support the employee and their family.

Samantha, Manager of Inpatient Pharmacy, and Michael, Clinical Coordinator Inpatient Pharmacy, were nominated by Specialist 4 Moe Ceesay of the U.S. Army Reserve.

In his nomination letter, Moe commended them for their ongoing support while he attended battle assemblies and two 5-day trainings. He indicated that Michael had worked several night shifts to cover his absences during his drill and annual trainings. Samantha has spent countless hours communicating with the Payroll Department to ensure that Moe was paid in a timely manner while he was fulfilling his military obligations. Moe also noted that all of this support is possible because OhioHealth has clearly defined established military policies.

Earlier this week, ESGR Central Region Chair Bob Skinner presented Samantha and Michael with these prestigious awards. ESGR was happy to have Moe available for the presentation to his supervisors.

Thank you Samantha and Michael for supporting those who serve!

Ohio Committee - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of War Field Activity. For more information, visit www.ESGR.mil.

Pictured below L to R: Bob Skinner, Samantha Hopton, Michael Young and Moe Ceesay.

If you serve in the Guard or Reserve...The Secretary of War Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition pr...
10/01/2026

If you serve in the Guard or Reserve...

The Secretary of War Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the U.S. Government to employers for their exceptional support of their Guard and Reserve employees.

If your employer has gone above and beyond to support your military service, this is your opportunity to recognize them for it.

Freedom Award nominations open October 1 and remain open through December 31, 2026, and you can nominate your employer at https://www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/SecDef-Employer-Support-Freedom-Award/Home.

Your nomination could be the beginning of an extraordinary honor recognizing an employer whose support has made a meaningful difference in your military service and your career.

It takes about 15 minutes to nominate an employer. That 15 minutes could lead to one of the most distinguished employer recognitions in the nation.

And it all starts with your nomination.

Address

Ohio ESGR Committee Hq. , 73rd Troop Command, 8208 South Perimeter Road
Columbus, OH
43217

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+16143367378

Website

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