ESGR New Mexico

Today's Santa Fe Bosslift was a success, courtesy of our superb NM Army National Guard Aviation flight crews.

Another successful Bosslift completed. Thank you to all participating Employers.

Los Alamos National Laboratory staff recognized for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Supervisors ensure servicemen and women can work and remain on active duty. Whether they're fighting fires in Northern New Mexico or serving across the globe in Jordan, many Lab employees double their service to our nation as members of the National Guard and Reserve. And when duty calls, their colleagues and supervisors are ready to lend a helping hand.

In January, five supervisors received Patriot Awards — a recognition for efforts of individual supervisors supporting citizen warriors through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off before and after deployment, time to care for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Lt. Col. Warren Maestas, a nuclear facilities engineer (ES-WPD), nominated Landry Milnes, nuclear facilities engineering manager (ES-WFO); Laila Badran, nuclear facilities engineering manager (ES-WPD); and Victoria Baca, nuclear facilities engineer (ES-WPD).

Staff Sgt. Christopher Barondeau, emergency management and response specialist (EM-RESP), nominated Kevin Brake, emergency operations manager (EM-RESP; and Christian Rittner, emergency operations manager (EM-RESP).

Throughout the award ceremony, Maestas and Barondeau recalled the unique support they received from the Lab and their supervisors.

"Landry, Laila and Victoria were very supportive during my absence, covering my work assignments and never complaining about my obligation to the service," Maestas said. "With all the global conflict happening today, it's a relief to know that the next time duty calls, my team will have my back."

The award ceremony featured members of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.

According to the ESGR website, ESGR volunteers hail from a variety of backgrounds with a wealth of experience and work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve.

"I am honored to receive the Patriot Award," Rittner said. "Assisting our colleagues who are serving is essential to our organization and our nation. We can take care of the duties here at the Lab while they take care of their duties for our nation."

Awards were presented to the Laboratory and Triad during a Jan. 8 ceremony, which was officiated by W***y Griego, state vice chair of the New Mexico ESGR, and Col. Pia G. Romero, director of the Joint Staff with the New Mexico National Guard.

(Pictured from left to right: 1st Lt. Aaron Mondragon, Laila Badran, Landry Milnes, W***y Griego, Staff Sgt. Christopher Barondeau, Christian Rittner, Kevin Brake, Lt. Col. Warren Maestas, Lt. Col. James Chavez, and Col. Pia Romero.)

Patriotic Employer Award Mr. Bobby Bookhouser Luna County 6th district Court