Avangrid team members receive DoD Patriot Award
Two members of Avangrid, Inc. were awarded Patriot Awards last week for their ongoing support of National Guard and Reserve Team members.
The company said Brian Harrell, Avangrid’s Vice President and Chief Security Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Steven Hersem, Corporate Security’s Director of Threat Management and Intelligence, received the Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) department to recognize their going “above and beyond” to support team members who serve as part of the National Guard and Reserve, officials said.
“We are very proud to have many veterans and active Guard and Reserve members working at Avangrid,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “They bring a unique skillset and expertise to our workforce, such as tenacity and a focus on teamwork. It is crucial that we support their career development and enrichment. Brian and Steven are shining examples of this commitment and I am very proud to see them honored for their efforts.”
Presented by Brigadier General Gerald Lukowski, Retired Connecticut Army National Guard Chief of Staff and ESGR Connecticut State Committee Chair, the award was given to Harrel and Hersem at the company’s Orange, Conn. headquarters. Lukowski said the award reflects the efforts made by the two supervisors to support their uniformed team members through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed. It was the first time an Avangrid employee has received a Patriot Award, the company said.
Harrell and Hersem were nominated by Kevin Connolly, an active member of the U.S. Navy Reserves and the lead analyst for North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) Compliance at Avangrid. Connolly said the two men foster the development of others and understand the company’s people are its most valuable asset.
“Brian and Steven have truly impacted my current and future career with their unwavering support, encouragement and room for growth,” said Connolly. “I will never be able to repay them for their time and effort they’ve spent with me. Nominating them for this award is the closest that I could come to doing so, and I am very happy to see them being recognized. I’d also like to thank Avangrid for having military-friendly policies and for their commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture.”
