Employees Receive Patriot Award from the Department of Defense

Florida Committee Chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Rita M. Broadway, MG, USA, Retired announced that Krista McIlhaney-Isaacs (Section Manager 2, Human Services) received the Department of Defense Patriot Award for her support of the Guard and Reserve members who work for Pinellas County. The award was requested by United States Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Jamari Graham (Management Analyst, Human Services). The award was presented by ESGR Chair Emeritus, Roger Trout, LTC, USA, Retired. 

SSG Graham said, “Since I moved into my current position in November of 2023 Krista has been more than exceptionally understanding and accommodating of my Army Reserve duties. As a Senior Drill Sergeant in the Army Reserve, I have five-day quarterly battle assemblies in addition to my monthly battle assemblies. Krista ensures that I am administratively taken care of and that I don’t miss out on anything while I am away.”

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense program established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflict through mediation. 

The Department of Defense’s Office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recently recognized the Communications Department with the Employer Ambassador Certificate of Appreciation for its support to the Armed Forces Guard and Reserve Personnel. Director Barbra Hernandez and Public Information Manager David Connor were also presented with Patriot Awards for their leadership in providing a welcoming and supportive workplace to Guard and Reserve members. The department reservists are David Connor, Ashley Giovannetti and John Carkeet.