Idaho Air Guardsman nominates boss for employer award

By Master Sgt Tom Gloeckle, 124FW Public Affairs Office / Published September 15, 2009

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Ms. Kay Eve, Collections Unit Manager with the Citi Cards Site in Boise, Idaho, is presented a pin by Ms. Dianne Nordhous of the Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve. The "We All Serve" pin symbolizes the support employers give to their Guardsmen employees allowing them to deploy without concern for their jobs. Ms. Eve was nominated by her employee Staff Sgt Ryan Bowman, a member of the 124th Fighter Wing, and is assigned to the Non-Destructive Inspection Shop. Sgt Bowman's civilian job is with the Manager Assist Unit in the Collections Department, and had recently returned from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt Tom Gloeckle)(Released)

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Ms. Kay Eve and Staff Sgt Ryan Bowman, center, pose with supervisors of Citi Card Site, senior leaders of the 124th Fighter Wing, and representatives from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Ms. Eve, Collections Unit Manager with the Citi Card Site in Boise, Idaho, was nominated for the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award by Sgt Bowman. Sgt Bowman is a traditional Guardsman assigned to the Non-Destructive Inspection Shop in the Wing and in the Manager Assist Unit with the Collections Unit at Citi Cards as his civilian employer, and had recently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The overwhelming support he received from Ms. Eve prompted him to nominate her for this award. In the photo from left to right is Mr. Matt Phelps, Citi Card Site President, Mr. Max Bearden and Ms. Dianne Nordhous of the ESGR, Lt Col Craig Logan 124th Operations Group Commander, Col Robert Park 124th Maintenance Group Commander, Sgt Bowman and Ms. Eve, Senior Master Sgt Joseph Stark, Fabrication Supervisor 124th Maintenance Squadron, Master Sgt William Roe, Non-Destructive Inspection Supervisor 124th Maintenance Squadron, and Chief Master Sgt Rick James, Equipment Maintenance Flight Supervisor 124th Maintenance Squadron. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt Tom Gloeckle)(Released)

GOWEN FIELD, Boise, Idaho -- Losing an employee who's a guardsman or reservist to an extended deployment would be a challenge for any employer. But there are employers that go beyond the minimum support required to comply with Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Services Act laws. One such employer is Citi Cards and supervisor Ms. Kay Eve.

Eve was presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve patriotic employer award for her outstanding support of guardsmen. Citi Cards and Eve are part of the ESGR team that make it possible for guardsmen and reservists to heed the call of their nation.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Bowman nominated Eve, his supervisor at Citi Cards and the manager of the collections unit, for her overwhelming support during a recent deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Bowman serves as a member of the non-destructive inspection shop for the 124th Fighter Wing as a traditional guardsman and in the manager assist unit in collections for Citi Cards.
"Kay worked really hard to make sure I knew I was an appreciated member of the team and would be missed while I was gone," said Bowman. "She is a dream boss and Citi Cards is a guard member's dream employer."

Ms. Dianne Nordhous of the ESGR presented Eve with the patriotic employer award certificate and said she embodied the spirit of the ESGR's 'We all Serve" program.

"I was very surprised and honored, as well as humbled," said Eve. "It is the men and women of the armed services who are out there protecting our freedoms that deserve all the recognition. I don't think we can ever thank them enough. I cannot thank Ryan enough."

Col. Robert Park, 124th Maintenance Group Commander, was also in attendance at the award ceremony and had high praise for Bowman and appreciation for Eve.

ESGR's Patriotic Employer Award and "We All Serve" programs go a long way in making the transition much easier for guardsmen and reservists by recognizing businesses that see the importance of the guard and reserve. While companies like Citi Cards and supervisors like Ms. Kay Eve make it easier for guardsmen to focus on their mission and eliminate having to worry about their jobs when they return home.