Award highlights employers who support military spouses.
12/11/2020 9:00
Revco Solutions, an ACA International member, was recently recognized at its Durham, North Carolina office by the North Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) with its “Above and Beyond Award.” The award recognizes companies that strive to support employees and their spouses who serve in the National Guard and Army Reserve.
Revco Solutions employee Mary Emily Wood nominated the company and CEO Geoff Miller for the award in appreciation for the tremendous support the company provided her during her husband’s overseas deployment with the North Carolina Army National Guard.
Miller accepted the award in a virtual ceremony in December.
“We have many hardworking team members, and we know that their work makes us a truly great company,” Miller said. “We are happy to support them, and especially Mary Emily Wood, who has been an incredible benefit to our organization. I’m honored that she sought to recognize us in this way and so pleased to be listed among many other fantastic companies in our community.”
Since 2007, ESGR has awarded more than 10,000 Above and Beyond Awards throughout the U.S. and Commonwealths. Revco Solutions is one of 29 companies selected in North Carolina for a 2020 Above and Beyond Award.
Though not required by law, many employers support employees who are married to National Guard or Army Reserve service members. When their spouses are mobilized for active military service, childcare, managing the household, and work schedules can be a real challenge, explained Ed Hamilton, vice chair of the North Carolina ESGR Committee.
Each year, a committee of the ESGR evaluates the nominations. Hamilton said Wood’s extensive narrative described Revco Solution’s flexibility and understanding. Wood’s husband, Staff Sgt. Donald Wood, was away from home off and on for more than 12 months in preparation for overseas duty. When the mobilization occurred, he was away from home continuously for 12 more months. He returned in March 2019.
“It is quite often in the National Guard that spouses do not find civilian employers to be very understanding or accommodating,” Wood wrote in her nomination. “This could not be further from the truth for my employer [Revco Solutions]. Knowing my primary duty was to my family, I was prepared to take a leave of absence or resign. [Mr. Miller] simply stated that whatever support I needed, the company would provide. They created a modified schedule for me and enabled my job to be done remotely so I could balance my responsibilities appropriately. As the deployment comes close, I have never felt more supported or grateful for an organization.”
The award ceremony typically takes place as a gala with a formal dinner. Due to COVID-19, all ceremonies occurred online. ESGR will mail the award to Revco Solutions following the event.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to hear stories of support for our troops and—just as importantly—their families here at home,” Hamilton said
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