Con-way Inc. has won the "Freedom Award" - the highest recognition bestowed by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization promoting
cooperation between the Guard and reserves and civilian employers.
Douglas W. Stotlar, president and CEO of Con-way Inc., accepted the 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at a recent ceremony Washington, D.C. Con-way is a $4.7 billion freight transportation and global logistics services provider headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. It was one of more than 1,000 companies nominated for the award.
The Freedom Award is given to employers who have shown exemplary support of employees who also serve in the National Guard and reserves. To be considered for the award, companies must be nominated by employees active in the Guard or reserves. Con-way's nomination came from Michael McAllister, a Con-way Freight operations supervisor. A veteran of the Iraq conflict, McAllister is a member of the Indiana National Guard and is currently deployed with its pre-mobilization training and assistance element.
"We take our responsibility to our employees in the Guard and reserves - and their families - very seriously," said Stotlar. "It is our honor to work with the men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way to defend our country's freedoms, supporting them in every way we can. It is the least we can do in light of the sacrifices they make to protect our liberties."
Con-way offers its employee soldiers pay differentials and uninterrupted health benefits for their families. Over the last year, the company has paid more than $200,000 in differential compensation to its deployed citizen/soldiers. The company's human resources representatives maintain contact with families to ensure that they understand all available benefits, while employee volunteers also provide outreach to soldiers' families, assisting them with every day challenges such as home maintenance, auto repairs and snow removal. For employees on active duty, Con-way Freight also sends care packages full of items like soap, shampoo and magazines.