Grinnell Mutual team leader honored with Patriot Award

Nicole Chesmore, assistant vice president, IT, was presented with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) Patriot Award on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. 

The award is given to individual supervisors nominated by an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve or their spouse for support provided directly to the nominating service member and their family.

It recognizes leaders’ efforts to support citizen warriors through actions like offering flexible schedules and time off before and after deployment and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Jeremy Wright, an IT director, with the help of Brandon Harp, a systems administrator, submitted the nomination to ESGR.

Wright wrote, “Since my employment began in 2018, I have always been supported in word and deed by Nicole. …[She] has always understood the value that I derive from my service in the National Guard; she sees how it is something I can bring back into work and apply in a myriad of ways. 

“Since she started working at Grinnell Mutual, Nicole has advocated for the company to update its military policy. …In early 2022, her advocacy paid off in the form of a completely revamped military policy.”

 Some of the benefits in the updated policy include differential pay when military pay is less than the service member’s regular Grinnell Mutual pay; annual service obligations (training, funeral duty, exams) are considered excused and paid for up to 30 days per calendar year; and all military members, active or veteran, receive Veterans Day off.

“Working for an organization that helps provide support for those who serve in our military and their families is a privilege,” Chesmore said. “By providing critical resources and assistance to military families, Grinnell Mutual not only honors their sacrifice and service to our country, but also makes a strategic investment in the strength and resilience of our armed forces.”

“This support enables service members to focus on their mission with peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are cared for and supported at home, while also providing our organization access to a highly trained and dedicated workforce.”