2026 Employer Awards Luncheon – Department of War Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
After Action Report (AAR)
R2W Founder Rob Brazell also serves as an Area Chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). In that role, he attended this year’s annual ESGR luncheon on Friday, July 24, 2026 at the Vista on the Applewood Golf Course in Golden, Colorado to recognize outstanding employers of National Guard and Reserve service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Members of the Guard and Reserve balance the demands of military service with civilian careers, requiring them to transition between two distinct professional cultures throughout the year. While these transitions can be challenging, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and ESGR programs help ensure service members receive the support they need. ESGR also recognizes employers whose commitment to military employees makes these transitions as seamless and effective as possible, strengthening both military readiness and workforce resilience.
Brazell said, “It was an honor to be seated among former recipients of the Freedom Award, the Department of War’s highest recognition for employers who provide exceptional support to their employees who are also members of the National Guard and Reserve. Being in the company of such distinguished leaders was both humbling and inspiring.
The event also provided an opportunity to meet senior military leaders, including an admiral, generals, commanding officers from multiple military organizations, chaplains, and Guard and Reserve service members who had nominated their employers for military recognition. I was equally honored to engage with community leaders such as Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli and the Klein family of Art C. Klein Construction in Colorado Springs. The luncheon highlighted the strong partnership among military, business, and community leaders who share a commitment to supporting those who serve our nation.”
AGENDA
National Anthem
Invocation
Chaplain COL David A. Nagel, Colorado National Guard (CONG)
Welcome
Alison Patton, Chair, Colorado ESGR
Lunch
Guest Speakers
Major General Robert B. Davis, The Adjutant General of Colorado (TAG)
Major Smantha Paycheck, Region Chief of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve HQ
Presentation of Awards
Closing
Alison Patton, Chair, Colorado ESGR
AWARDS
Seven Seals Award Winners
The ESGR Seven Seals award is presented at the discretion of the State Chair in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative or support that promotes the ESGR mission.
Kratos Defense
Colorado Springs, Colorado – Large Business
Nominated by: COL Adam Fisher – USAFR
Thornton Fire Department
Thornton, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: MSgt Adam Shockey – USAFR
Department of the Interior – Office of Inspector General
Lakewood, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: CDR Brian Simonson – USCGR
Fidelity Investments
Greenwood Village, Colorado – Large Busines
Nominated by: SPC Adam Lewin – USAR
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder
Littleton, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: SGT Alexandra Ziehr – COARNG
Ursa Major Technologies
Berthoud, Colorado – Small Business
Nominated by: Capt. Savanah Bray – USAFR
Littleton Baptist Church
Littleton, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: Col. Mike Sprout AZANG and Capt. Caleb Schaaf – UTANG
Alison Patten, ESGR Colorado Chair, Capt. Caleb Schaaf – UTANG, Deacon, Littleton Babtist Church, and Major General Davis, TAG
Above and Beyond Award Winners
The Above and Beyond Award is presented by ESGR State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USSERA) by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, and other similar benefits. The award is given in limited numbers by State Committees to employers who have had at least one of their supervisors/managers recognized with a Patriot Award, and who have sign or agree to sign and ESGR Statement of Support.
Boulder County Government
Boulder, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: SSgt Gustavo Castanaza – COARNG
Alison Patton, Colorado ESGR Chair; [] Boulder County; Natalie Springett, Commissioners’ Deputy for Boulder County; Major General Davis, TAG; and SSgt Gustavo Castanaza – COARNG
See related stories about these people at Boulder County: Honoring Community Leaders Who Support Those Who Serve
Rob Brazell, R2W Founder is the Boulder Area Chair at the Department of War Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). In this role, he recently presented the Patriot Award to Natalie Springett, Commissioners’ Deputy, Boulder County. She was nominated by Gustavo Cortez, Administrative Division Manager who is also in the Air Force Reserve.
Mesa County Sherriff’s Office
Grand Junction, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: SSG Barry Hernandez – COARNG
Omni Federal
Colorado Spring, Colorado – Small Business
Nominated by: CMSgt Joshua Savitt – USAFR
Pro Patria Award Winners
The Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR committee to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve
Northglenn Police Department
Northglenn, Colorado – Public Sector
Nominated by: TSgt Skyla Richardson Colorado Air National Guard
COL H., USAF; Alison Patton, Colorado ESGR Chair; Jamie Thibodeau, NPD; Justin Lauk, NPD; Deputy Chief Rice, NPD; Major General Davis, TAG
See related story about these people at Northglenn Police Department (NPD): ESGR Patriot Award – Northglenn Police Department (NPD)
Patriot Award: Skyla Richardson, USAF, Justin Lauk, NPD, Rob Brazell, ESGR Area Chair; and Jammie Thibodeau, NPD
Transcarent
Denver, Colorado – Large Business
Nominated by: SGM Kansas Jackson, United States Army Reserve
Freedom Award
The Secretary of War ESGR Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. It is presented annually to the nation’s 15 most supportive employers, usually at the Pentagon.
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