Ryland Homes Honored by the Department of Defense for its Support of Employees Serving in the National Guard and Reserve
Ryland Homes is one of only 15 employers selected from nearly 1,500 nominations from National Guardsmen and Reservists.
Minneapolis, MN, August 25, 2005 --(PR.com)-- The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, today congratulated Ryland Homes as a 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipient. The award recognizes American employers that provide exceptional support to their employees who voluntarily serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Ryland Homes is one of only 15 employers selected from nearly 1,500 nominations from national guardsmen and reservists. The company demonstrates its support for mobilized reservists by providing them with full benefits and paying the difference between their military pay and their salary at Ryland.
“We are proud of our employees who have answered the call of duty,” said R. Chad Dreier, Ryland’s Chairman, President and CEO. “It is an honor and a pleasure to support them.”
Ryland Homes’ Twin Cities Division President Wayne Soojian exemplifies this corporate philosophy. His division helped remodel employee Ryan Petersen’s home as a surprise while the Marine Corps reserve sergeant was serving in Iraq.
“While I was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Wayne Soojian maintained contact with me and encouraged all employees to do the same,” said Petersen, a homebuilding supervisor who nominated Ryland for the award. “In addition to remodeling my house, my fellow Ryland employees sent me numerous large packages with supplies, personal hygiene items, snacks, letters and phone cards.”
“All Americans can be justly proud of our nation’s employers for their exceptional support of our men and women in the National Guard and Reserve during these demanding times,” said David Janes, National Chairman for the National Committee for Employer Support. “Ryland Homes, through its personnel programs, provides a fine example of an employer’s recognition of the sacrifice these young people make in defense of our freedoms and way of life. The Department of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a tribute to Ryland Homes for their leadership and support.”
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 by then-Secretary of Defense William Perry under the auspices of the ESGR. The 2005 award ceremonies will take place on Oct. 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The company currently operates in 27 markets across the country and has built more than 240,000 homes and financed more than 205,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.” Previous news releases may be obtained at www.ryland.com.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and, if needed, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America’s Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or call the National Committee at 800-336-4590.
Media Contacts:
Robert Palmer (ESGR) 800-336-4590
Marya Jones (Ryland) 818-223-7591
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Ryland Homes is one of only 15 employers selected from nearly 1,500 nominations from national guardsmen and reservists. The company demonstrates its support for mobilized reservists by providing them with full benefits and paying the difference between their military pay and their salary at Ryland.
“We are proud of our employees who have answered the call of duty,” said R. Chad Dreier, Ryland’s Chairman, President and CEO. “It is an honor and a pleasure to support them.”
Ryland Homes’ Twin Cities Division President Wayne Soojian exemplifies this corporate philosophy. His division helped remodel employee Ryan Petersen’s home as a surprise while the Marine Corps reserve sergeant was serving in Iraq.
“While I was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Wayne Soojian maintained contact with me and encouraged all employees to do the same,” said Petersen, a homebuilding supervisor who nominated Ryland for the award. “In addition to remodeling my house, my fellow Ryland employees sent me numerous large packages with supplies, personal hygiene items, snacks, letters and phone cards.”
“All Americans can be justly proud of our nation’s employers for their exceptional support of our men and women in the National Guard and Reserve during these demanding times,” said David Janes, National Chairman for the National Committee for Employer Support. “Ryland Homes, through its personnel programs, provides a fine example of an employer’s recognition of the sacrifice these young people make in defense of our freedoms and way of life. The Department of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is a tribute to Ryland Homes for their leadership and support.”
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 by then-Secretary of Defense William Perry under the auspices of the ESGR. The 2005 award ceremonies will take place on Oct. 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The company currently operates in 27 markets across the country and has built more than 240,000 homes and financed more than 205,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.” Previous news releases may be obtained at www.ryland.com.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and, if needed, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America’s Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or call the National Committee at 800-336-4590.
Media Contacts:
Robert Palmer (ESGR) 800-336-4590
Marya Jones (Ryland) 818-223-7591
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Contact
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Tom Bullock
800-336-4590
www.esgr.mil
Tom Bullock
800-336-4590
www.esgr.mil
Contact
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