Jeffrey Thompson (right) receives the Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve Patriot Award from Bruce Thompson, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteer.Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) has announced Jeffrey Thompson, director of aftermarket supply chain planning, has received national recognition for his support of National Guard and Reserve employees.
Thompson received the Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve Patriot Award at a ceremony on Jan. 17, at DTNA headquarters in Portland, Ore. Thompson served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy for more than three years.
The Patriot Award, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Defense, is given to supervisors who have supported employees in the National Guard and Reserve through such measures as flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence, if needed.
Shawn Meredith, manager of the Continuous Improvement project team in Fort Mill, S.C., nominated Thompson for the award. Meredith also is a battalion executive officer and commander in the U.S. Army Reserve. In his nomination, Meredith praised Thompson for supporting him while he completed his military education and during a September 2018 mobilization of reservists for hurricane relief support.
“Because of his decisions, I was able to achieve both my Army and DTNA missions for those years. Without his trust and empowerment for me to get the job done, one of my two careers would have suffered,” Meredith wrote.
“I’m honored to receive the Patriot Award,” Thompson says. “I believe it’s my duty and privilege to support those who serve our country in the Guard and Reserve. These dedicated men and women deserve employer support.”
Thompson began his career at DTNA in 2003 and has held positions in parts sales support, parts specialty sales, fleet parts sales, business excellence and distribution development with the Elite Support team.
DTNA supports its 2,300 veterans, active duty military and reservists through an employee group, Community Aiding Military within the Organization (CAMO). The company says the group offers a variety of services, including care packages for deployed employees, improving recruitment of veterans, social events, networking and mentoring relationships.
