Beilke Receives ESGR Patriot Award

We are proud to announce that Jill Beilke, Corporate Communications and Branding Director, has been awarded the Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. This award recognizes supervisors for support provided directly to the nominating service member. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen soldiers 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. Beilke, who has been with KLJ since 2010, was nominated by service member 1st Lt. Jennifer Anderson, who serves in the North Dakota National Guard as platoon leader with the 816th Military Police Company.

“KLJ recognizes the tremendous benefits of employing service men and women and understands that we must be flexible to support those serving our country, community, and company,” said Emily Johnson, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Branding. “Community is a core value, and we are proud our supervisors take that value seriously and support those who serve.”

Deployments and extended trainings take time away from work. Anderson notes that communicating schedules, workload, and a plan while she is away is key to make both roles work for her.

“My part-time career in the N.D. National Guard is a significant and meaningful part of my life,” Anderson said. “I’m grateful that Jill understands and supports my military obligation and my passion to serve. She is truly a leader who demonstrates a strong commitment to KLJ’s values: integrity, community, and trust.”