Emerson’s Greenlee^® business was honored last month as a military-friendly employer, receiving a Patriot Award from the Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Greenlee is the first Rockford employer to receive the award.

ESGR is a program of the Department of Defense that issues the Patriot Award to employers who support citizen warriors 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.

Jae Lee, director of product management, was nominated for this award by Alex Carey, a product management specialist at Emerson’s Greenlee’s headquarters in Rockford, IL. Carey has worked at the Greenlee business for four years, while also serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for the past six years.

“Emerson and its Greenlee business is proud to provide a supportive work environment to employees in the military serving our country. I am honored to have been nominated for the Patriot Award and to accept it on behalf of Greenlee,” said Lee.

“Supportive employers like Greenlee directly contribute to the success and strength of the Reserve and National Guard soldier,” said Carey. “Greenlee, and Jae in particular, have gone above and beyond to support me and are certainly overdue for this recognition.”

In addition to flexible schedules, Emerson’s professional tools business has a Veterans Resource Group in place comprised of active and former military personnel, assuring these employees have a voice in company policies and benefits.

Emerson’s professional tools business includes Greenlee as well as the RIDGID^® and Klauke^® brands and provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.

Greenlee^®, RIDGID^® and Klauke^® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.