United States Department of Defense

With 303 employees, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, located in Kalamazoo, Mich., prefers to hire both veterans and current military members. In fact, veteran status elevates a potential employee in the hiring process. KDPS has a strong commitment to caring for its Guard and Reserve employees, complete with its own Family Support Group. When a deployed KDPS officer was severely wounded by a grenade exploding in his right hand, KDPS flew a contingency of officers to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to be with the officer and support his family while they relocated to the Washington, D.C., area for his recovery. When the service member returned to work, unable to use his right hand, the department trained the officer to shoot left-handed, so he could keep the same job he had before he was deployed. Master Sgt. Robert Christensen, of the Army Reserve, nominated the employer for the Freedom Award because of the support he witnessed for his fellow military employees and for KDPS' treatment of him when he was deployed, sending care packages, staying in touch on a weekly basis, and providing a special homecoming.

L-3 Communications, headquartered in New York, provides defense products and services to the United States, allied governments and customers world-wide. L-3's nominator, Master Sgt. Sherri Bellehumeur is assigned to the 109th Air Control Squadron, Utah Air National Guard, and is employed by L-3 Communication Systems – West in Salt Lake City. L-3 routinely conducts Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act training for supervisors and managers and regularly attends military career fairs, including Hiring Our Heroes. L-3 CSW has an established military relations committee, which supports initiatives such as the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust and Sub-for Santa programs. Across L-3, business units coordinate, support and host events for military and veterans groups to promote awareness for the employment and community needs of military personnel, and in celebration of their service. Bellehumeur noted in her nomination that, although she had a business degree, L-3 hired her as an engineer because of her extensive military technical experience even though she lacked the required technical degree for the position. "In my own experience, my managers and HR specialists showed real understanding and flexibility concerning schedule and pay issues related to my Guard duty. I can honestly say that L-3 goes above and beyond for its military employees," Bellehumeur said.

Nyemaster Goode, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is Iowa's largest law firm, employing approximately 160 people. Maj. Kristina Stanger, of the Army National Guard, nominated the firm because of their continued support for her and her husband Staff Sgt. Doug Stanger. To stay on par with her peers and remain competitive for advancement, Nyemaster Goode created a "special hours" category that allowed Stanger to record her time spent on Guard duty as recordable hours at the firm. When Stanger's husband was deployed, Nyemaster Goode developed alternate work hours that supported her child care needs and sponsored a scholarship for the daughter of one of Stanger's fallen comrades. They are committed to their military employees and the fathers, mothers, siblings and dependents working for them who have loved ones who serve. In 2011, Nyemaster Goode extended its support by providing Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act training to other area businesses. When asked why she nominated Nyemaster Goode for the Freedom Award, Stanger remarked, "When we are called to extraordinary circumstances we cannot anticipate how the people in our lives will respond to the challenges our circumstances present to them. Nyemaster Goode has proven in its response that people and businesses can be even more extraordinary than the circumstances that move them. Their unwavering support for our dual military family's service and our military community has been amazing and we are eternally grateful."

The Port of Seattle employs 1,650 people, owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, four major cargo handling terminals, four public marinas, manages four thousand acres of real estate assets, and contributes to the construction of road and rail infrastructure. About 20 percent of Port employees have military experience, and the Port is actively working to employ more by attending hiring events and participating in additional military transition programs. The Port of Seattle established a Veterans Fellowship Program to provide short-term employment to individuals transitioning from active duty, helping them identify transferable skills, expose them to a new work environment and provide them with resume writing assistance. Managers and supervisors are schooled with one-on-one Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act training before Guard or Reserve mobilizations, and encouraged to maintain open communication with those deployed. The Port of Seattle recognizes and honors service members via newsletter stories of deployed service members, recognition at Port Commission Meetings and other public events. "I chose to nominate the Port because of its outstanding support and commitment to veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists," said Capt. Gary Buchanan, of the Navy Reserve. "Our CEO, Tay Yoshitani, is not only a corporate champion in the hiring of veterans within the Port of Seattle, but he also promotes the business case for all employers, regionally and nationally, to hire veterans and service members."

Siemens has more than 60,000 employees in the United States and provides solutions for more affordable and efficient healthcare, the growing demands of cities and the nation's infrastructure needs, cleaner sources of energy production and industrial productivity. Capt. John Johnson, an Army Reservist with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in Glasgow, Del., nominated Siemens for the Freedom Award. In his nomination, Johnson highlighted the company's new online Veteran's Network, used to share job information and advice with more than 400 veterans and service members. In 2011, Johnson's reserve unit was extremely active and he served a total of 58 military days. He described Siemens as "extremely understanding" of the demanding schedule and his entire military service career. Johnson also said when Siemens employees in the Guard and Reserve Service deploy, their supervisors maintain contact with them through emails, sending care packages, and providing family assistance. Siemens has partnered with the Army to allow soldiers to be stationed at Siemens facilities for training. Through their participation in the White House's Joining Forces initiative, Siemens originally pledged to reserve 10 percent of open positions for veterans, exceeded the goal in three months and hired over 630 veterans last year. In January, Siemens announced plans to hire an additional 300 veterans in 2012. "Siemens is a company that goes beyond the normal expectations of an employer," Johnson said.

Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Tennessee Valley Authority provides electricity to approximately nine million people in parts of seven southeastern states. Capt. Charles Wingo of the Army National Guard nominated TVA for the Freedom Award because of TVA's commitment to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, veterans, spouses of disabled veterans, and widows and widowers of those killed on active duty. They also actively participate in military job fairs and promote job opportunities for those in the military community. TVA recognizes their employees on military leave by offering eligibility for "military service" bonuses. When an employee returns home from being on active duty, TVA allows them to take five days of administrative leave. TVA shows their support for deployed employees by remaining in contact via email and letters, evidenced by the 4,000 care packages they have shipped overseas. TVA heartily embraces the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by training all first-line supervisors on the law, posting USERRA posters on prominent bulletin boards, and including USERRA information in newsletters and corporate communications. They also provide volunteers to help brief managers and supervisors on the details of the law. When asked why he nominated Tennessee Valley Authority, Wingo said, "TVA strives to provide exceptional support to the military and their employees in the military."

Uniform Color Company, of Holland, Mich., produces and provides custom color concentrates for the thermoplastics industry. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer James Greenwell, a machinist's mate, nominated the employer because of their overwhelming support for him and his family. UCC leaders encouraged Greenwell to re-enlist in the Navy Reserve after he started working there. When he was nominated as Sailor of the Year, UCC purchased new service dress whites to ensure he made the most professional impression. The company provided overwhelming support to Greenwell and his family during the entire deployment process, flying his sister-in-law in to babysit for his children when needed, and providing special treats for the family including a membership to an aquatic park for the children and cooking classes for his wife. The company also arranged free flights for his family to visit their grandparents for additional support during Greenwell's deployment. Upon hearing the protective eyeglasses issued to Greenwell's unit were uncomfortable and difficult to use in desert conditions, UCC raised funds and provided state of the art eye protection for all the unit members, including those requiring prescription glasses. "Thanks to Uniform Color's support for my family at home, I was able to focus on the mission abroad. Knowing they were going to take care of my family made it possible to leave for my mission; and the support they provided to my sailors made it possible to succeed in my mission. They are a role model for employers everywhere; what honest support for our Guardsmen and Reservists looks like," Greenwell said.

Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., employs 78,000 people nationwide. Lt. Col. John Shaw, a member of the Army Reserve, nominated the company for the support military employees receive while deployed and Verizon Wireless' commitment to hire more Guardsmen, Reservists and veterans. Verizon Wireless has employees active in Verizon's Veteran's Advisory Board to provide senior management assistance, guidance and development ideas for military and veteran employees. Those transitioning from military service to civilian life receive assistance identifying positions in Verizon where they can apply their military skills. In 2011, the company hired more than 300 veterans, increasing the total number of veterans working for Verizon Wireless to more than 4,000. Company leaders send care packages filled with electronic tablets, phone cards and favorite snacks to deployed employees. Shaw reported that when his colleagues found his wife and two of his children sick while he was away, they set up a care plan that included delivering groceries and preparing meals. When asked why he nominated Verizon Wireless, Shaw said, "I've been through three mobilizations since 2005 and each time Verizon Wireless has allowed me to hand off my responsibilities."