State Comptroller's Office in Glens Falls Honored by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

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Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro presents the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award to Jeff Leonard, the chief examiner in the NewYork State Comptroller's Glens Falls Regional Office

LATHAM, NY (04/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Jeff Leonard, Chief Examiner at the  Glens Falls Regional Office of the New York State Comptroller's Office has been awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.

The award reflects the efforts a company or supervisor makes to support members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, and the Reserve components of the military while they serve and also pursue their civilian careers.

This support can include flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

The Comptroller's Office, and Jeff Leonard the chief examiner in the office, were honored for the support they gave to New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro, an employee of the office and a resident of Porter Corners during a ceremony at New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters on Wednesday, April 23.

The award ceremony followed Tagliafierro's promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

Tagliafierro, a veteran of two deployments in Iraq, has been on extended military leave to organize the New York National Guard's Homeland Response Force, a team of 600 Soldiers trained to respond to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks and incidents.

Leonard and other Comptroller's Office officials stayed in touch with Tagliafierro during his military service and kept him informed of changes in policies and office changes that will affect him upon his return to his state job in October.

His service in Iraq and his work in implementing the Homeland Response Force in New York and this promotion could not have been possible without the robust support provided by Leonard, Tagliafierro said.

Members of the Guard and Reserve can nominate their employers for the award.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense office that was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,900 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Photo Caption 1: New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro presents the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award to Jeff Leonard, the chief examiner in the NewYork State Comptroller's  Glens Falls Regional Office , on April 23. Leonard the Comptroller's Office were recognized for their support of Tagliafierro's miltiary career during two deployments to Iraq and a long-term duty tour here on New York to establish the New York National Guard's Homeland Response Force.

Photo Caption 2:  New York Army National Guard  Lt. Col. Micheal Tagliafierro and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve specialist Michael Cristiano,  present Jeff Leonard (center), Chief Examiner of the Glens Falls Regional Office of the NY State Comptroller's Office with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award, here, April. 23.