Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) Division Manager Jeff Brining was recently presented with a Patriot Award by Tom Pandolfi, Vice Chair of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Andrew Shetland, an NPU employee serving in the Connecticut Army National Guard, nominated Brining, his immediate supervisor, and NPU for supporting him and his family while deployed.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen soldiers through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. As part of his hiring process, NPU conducted multiple interviews remotely with Shetland via Skype from his deployment base in Kosovo.

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was founded in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve members and their civilian employers. ESGR seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States.

This is the second time NPU has received the Patriot Award from ESGR. In 2008, NPU was nominated by National Guardsman and NPU employee Laura Danao.