JACKSON – State Auditor Stacey Pickering received the Patriot Award
from ESGR, Employer Support Of The Guard and Reserve, during a press
conference today where he was joined by Governor Phil Bryant. This
award was presented to Auditor Pickering, a Chaplain in the
Mississippi Air National Guard, for his support of employees who are
members of the National Guard and Reserve.
“It is an honor to receive the Patriot Award for the second time while
serving as State Auditor,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “I
have and will continue to value all men and women in our armed forces,
and I encourage them to serve our country knowing that they have the
full support of this agency.”
Auditor Pickering was nominated for this award by Susan Syverson, an
Investigator with the State Auditor’s Office who serves in the
Mississippi Air National Guard 255th Air Traffic Control Squadron.
Pickering received his first Patriot Award in March 2009.
According to Jack Wallace, Mississippi ESGR State Chair, “The Patriot
Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who
provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their
employees, and who, like the citizen warriors before them, have
answered their nation’s call to serve. Stacey Pickering was nominated
for being highly supportive of the National Guard by his Reserve
Component employee, Susan Syverson. Supportive supervisors are
critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s
Guard and Reserve units.”
ESGR is a Department of Defense Operational Committee established in
1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve
service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding
support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict
between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is
encouraging the employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring
integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian
workforce.
Office of Stacey Pickering
5/8/13
