Mark Harvey, Greer CPW Engineering and Planning Manager, earned the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.
“I was definitely surprised – equally surprised that folks around here could keep a secret that long,” said Harvey.
The ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between reserve military members and their civilian employers. Under that program military members can nominate a supervisor for the Patriot Award – an award that recognizes a person who shows extra compassion and flexibility when working with a military member.
Greer CPW has two commissioners that are veterans and six employees who served or are serving with the military. Two of those employees are deployed overseas with the National Guard.
1st Lt. Dan Espinosa with the 124th Engineer Company and Greer CPW GIS Coordinator nominated Harvey “…they (Greer CPW) have made every attempt to ease the transition from civilian life to military duty by approving military training leave dates and developing a plan to maintain my active role in the organization,” said Espinosa.
“Mark’s support during this time reflects great leadership upon himself and the unrelenting support of the entire organization,” said Espinosa. \\
“I’m humbled 1st Lt. Espinosa took the time to nominate me and I wish he were here so I could thank him,” Harvey said. “Although the award was presented to me, it is the organization and the Commissioners who deserve the credit for adopting policies that support our military employees during training and deployment.”
“As 1st Lt. Dan Espinosa forward deploys, we are reminded that freedom is not free,” said Commissioner and U.S Navy Veteran Perry Williams. “We are honored to have him as an employee and wish him Godspeed and a quick return to his position at Greer CPW. We are equally proud of Mark Harvey for being recognized with the Patriot Award by the Department of Defense.”