FIVE employers in the government and private sector on Thursday received the Patriotic Employer Award from the Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve state committee during a “Lunch with the Boss” event at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Thursday.
A.A. Enterprises’ Kun Sik Choi was nominated by his employee, U.S Army Reservist Jenny Pineda, who said Choi approves her military leave whether she files it at the last minute or in advance.
IT&E’s Clarinda Besong is an “extraordinary and supportive employer,” according to U.S. Army Reservist Gerald James A. De Guzman who nominated her. De Guzman said Besong also ensures that they have safe and healthy workplace conditions.
US Coast Guard Reservist Hendricks Daniel Derek nominated U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervisory officer Ferdinand Mallari.
Derek said he could not put into words the support he receives from Mallari. “He has consistently given me any time-off that I need to serve and has been more than understanding that it takes longer for me to serve due to the travel time I must take from Saipan to Guam,” Derek said.
He added that Mallari has been supportive of his mental and emotional health as well.
Dandan Middle School Principal James Sablan was nominated by U.S. Army Reservist Luis C. Macaranas who said Sablan was very understanding of the situation when Macaranas needed to undergo military training.
Public School System Curriculum and Instructional Service Senior Director Jackie A. Quitugua was nominated by U.S. Army Reservist Jonas Barcinas who serves as PSS Chamorro/Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies program director.
Barcinas said his leave request to perform his military duty was “approved and supported without any problem.”
Another awardee
The ESGR state committee also honored James Kennedy Benjamin who is with the 9th Mission Support Command.
A Family Readiness Program director based in the CNMI, Benjamin received the Seven Seals Award.
The award recognizes a significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.
Joining the ESGR committee in the Lunch with the Boss event on Thursday was Brig. Gen. Mark W. Siekman, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command.
Also present were ESGR CNMI Area Chair Rita A. Sablan, State Committee chair retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ray Llaneta, vice chair retired U.S. Army Major General Benny Paulino, Guam ESGR volunteer and U.S. Army veteran Norma Castillo, ESGR Outreach Coordinators Rose Igitol and Joshlyn Lieto Blas, Rota Outreach Coordinator Vince Calvo, ESGR CNMI Ombudsman Joann Aquino and U.S. Army veteran Dayna Sunderland, a volunteer.
The Patriotic Employer and Seven Seals awards recipients pose for a photo Thursday with Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve state committee officers and the Reservists who nominated the awardees.
