Airman named Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs employee of the year

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/08/2016)(readMedia)-- Illinois Air National Guard Master Sgt. Michael Putnam, of Bryant, Illinois, was named the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs employee of the year for 2016.

Putnam is a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Fighter Wing based in Springfield, Illinois, and an information technology specialist for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

"The Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program has always maintained that members of the Guard and Reserves make exceptional employees because they understand duty and responsibility" said Ron Bacci, Illinois Committee Chair of the ESGR. "They bring a 'can do' attitude to the workplace, appreciate diversity, work well under pressure, have a high degree of integrity and self-respect, and are dedicated, highly motivated leaders. They are in top physical condition, possess critical skills, are drug-free, resilient and know how to handle stress, both on and off the job. Master Sgt. Putnam of the 183rd Fighter Wing certainly exemplifies those traits."

photo cutline: Master Sgt. Michael Putnam receives a proclamation from Governor Bruce Rauner naming him the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs' (IDVA) employee of the year as the IDVA Director Erica Jeffries looks on, Aug 14, at the Illinois State Fair.