Total Quality Logistics Employees Receive Patriot Award

Cincinnati — Three employees of Total Quality Logistics (TQL) today received a Patriot Award for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Ken Oaks, founder and CEO, Bryan Henry, group sales manager, and Chris McMahon, sales support manager, were nominated for this honor by TQL Logistics Coordinator and Ohio National Guard member, Specialist Michael Pruitt.
 
The Patriot Award recognizes individual supervisors for support provided directly to the nominating service member. Support can include measures like flexible schedules, time off prior to or after deployment or granting leaves of absence. The award is sponsored by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense Agency established to promote cooperation between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.
 
SPC Pruitt enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 2009. He began work for TQL in the spring of 2011. Just a few months later, Pruitt’s unit received deployment orders to Afghanistan.
 
“When I found out that I was deploying on rather short notice, about one month, TQL could not have been more supportive. From my co-workers, to human resources, to supervisors, all the way to an email sent company-wide by the owner of the company, Ken Oaks, TQL supported me every step of the way,” wrote Pruitt in his nomination.
 
From October 2011 through September 2012, Pruitt was stationed in Hairatan Afghanistan where he served as a combat engineer.
 
“During the deployment, my coworkers and supervisors sent me emails to keep in touch…towards the end of the deployment TQL assured me that I could come back whenever I felt ready.” Pruitt returned to work at TQL in October 2012.
 
Mike Emerine, Region Chair of the Ohio ESGR, and Bob Miller, Employer Outreach Coordinator, South Region, Ohio ESGR, presented today’s awards.
 
“The tempo of military operations for reservists since 9/11 has meant far more separation and hardship than traditionally is expected of them, and thus more hardship and sacrifice for their civilian employers. The Patriot Awardhonors those employers who have shared this sacrifice with outstanding support and encouragement, above that required by law. Mr. Oaks and his management team are to be commended for their exceptional effort in support of TQL’s military family, and our nation’s defense,” said Emerine.
 
This is the second year in a row that a supervisor at TQL has been recognized by the ESGR. In May of this year, TQL also received the Above & Beyond Award from ESGR at a ceremony in Columbus, Ohio. The Above & Beyond Award publicly recognizes American employers that provide extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees. 
 

Total Quality Logistics is the second largest freight brokerage firm in the nation, with more than $1.3 billion in annual sales. The company, founded in 1997, is privately-held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 17 additional satellite locations across the nation. TQL was ranked among the nation's 150 Top Workplaces in 2013 in one of the largest-ever surveys of U.S. companies, with more than 1 million employees participating nationwide. TQL also was named by Inc. Magazine as a leading company for creating American jobs and by Glassdoor as one of the top companies for career opportunities. TQL employs more than 2,000 people nationwide.
 

ABOUT ESGR

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense Agency founded in 1972, 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. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.