State Employees' Credit Union Honored with ESGR's Pro Patria Award

RALEIGH, N.C., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- During a ceremony this past weekend in Greensboro, NC, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) with the Pro Patria Award – the highest state-level award given to a civilian employer by ESGR on behalf of the US Department of Defense.  The ESGR committee gives the award annually to an employer in their state or territory that has provided the most exceptional support of US national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies supporting their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.  On hand to accept the award was Mark Twisdale, SECU's Senior Vice President of Human Resources and SECU nominator Jamie Applequist, Senior Vice President of SECU's Jacksonville branch and Master Sergeant with the Air Force Reserves.

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SECU has always been a strong supporter of its National Guard employee-reservists, and the organization has been recognized throughout the years for its efforts.  In 2005, the Credit Union received ESGR's Five Star Recognition for its support of Guardsmen and Reservists and in 2009, SECU was the recipient of ESGR's State Chairman's Above and Beyond Award, which is awarded to employers who have exceeded legal requirements for providing support to Service Members who serve in the Guard and Reserve.  This past year, nearly 300 managers of SECU's branches and operations departments participated in the Nation's largest ever Statement of Support signing for the ESGR Program, displaying the Credit Union's continuing commitment to their employees serving in the military.

Twisdale states, "State Employees' Credit Union is dedicated to making sure our deployed SECU personnel have the strong support they need from this organization as they sacrifice to serve our Country.  We absolutely do not want these men and women worrying about job related aspects, and we want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts at home and abroad.  This support comes in many forms including providing differential pay, keeping employee benefits active, sending care packages, and helping with family members at home.  Still, what we do as an organization pales in comparison to what these soldiers do for all of us."

"During my career with SECU, I have been deployed three times.  Throughout each and every transition, I have felt nothing but tremendous support at every level within the organization.  The Credit Union truly recognizes the importance of military service and has gone above and beyond to assist all of us who serve dual roles as SECU and military personnel.  I am proud to work for State Employees' Credit Union and it is wonderful to see my employer receive this high honor," adds Applequist.

About SECU

SECU is a non-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 70 years. Currently serving more than 1.6 million members, SECU provides services through 236 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.

SOURCE State Employees' Credit Union