Oklahoma Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced that Eric Stuteville, Owner of Stuteville Auto Group, signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on May 17, 2024, during a ceremony presenting him the Department of Defense Patriot Award.
The Statement of Support confirms Stuteville Auto Group joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Ray Knapp, of the Oklahoma Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “I am asking all Oklahoma employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.”
When asked about the criteria, Knapp said, “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Stuteville Auto Group pledges to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to support our communities at home and critical missions throughout the world. Their sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.”
“Stuteville Auto Group joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added Knapp. “By signing the Statement of Support, Stuteville Auto Group is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”
Stuteville also received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award recently for the extraordinary support he provides his employee Charlie Johnson, the finance manager at Stuteville Ford in Atoka, a sergeant First Class in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in Edmond. SFC Johnston is currently deployed overseas. Eric’s father also served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.
“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Ray Knapp, of the Oklahoma Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
“National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said Knapp. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense.”
“Eric has always supported me. I am currently deployed for 10 months and he is holding my position while I am gone,” said SFC Johnston.
ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.
For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 3364590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/OK.
