December 20, 2011

American Student Assistance Manager Honored by Department of Defense for Extraordinary Support of Employees Who Serve in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve

ASA Signs Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve

BOSTON, MA December 20, 2011 –   Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Garnet Ricks of American Student Assistance® (ASA) was honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of his employee who serves in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve.

According to Thomas Boyle, ESGR Massachusetts Chair, “The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Mr. Ricks was nominated for being highly supportive by his Reserve Component employee. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”

Ricks’ employee, National Guard member Michael Tierney, nominated Ricks for his above and beyond support during Tierney’s one-year deployment to Kuwait.

In addition to the award, ASA® President and CEO Paul Combe signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve, confirming that ASA joins other employers in pledging that:

  • We fully recognize, honor, and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act.
  • Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
  • We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises, and in war.

“ASA joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies, and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” said Boyle. “By signing the Statement of Support, ASA is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ASA is a Boston-based nonprofit that helps college students and alumni successfully manage higher education debt by giving them money smarts for a lifetime.

“ASA is committed to supporting not only our employees but also college students and alumni who have made the personal sacrifice to serve,” said Paul Combe, ASA president and CEO, "by helping veterans and active duty personnel better understand how to take advantage of certain student loan benefits for military members.”

More information on student loan benefits for military borrowers can be found at www.asa.org/basics/loans/military.

About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. More information about ESGR, Employer Outreach Programs, and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Ellie Cash, Program Support Specialist of the Massachusetts ESGR at 508-233-7249.
 

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About American Student Assistance

American Student Assistance is a private nonprofit whose public purpose mission is to empower students and alumni to successfully manage and repay their college loan debt. We do this by providing student loan education and enabling the development of financial competencies through the use of innovative web-based tools and trusted, neutral advice”all free of charge to students and alumni. Through a game-changing educational membership program called “SALT,” we equip students and alumni with money skills for life so they reduce their student loan debt, improve student loan repayment outcomes, and increase their overall financial empowerment. Established in 1956 and based in Boston, ASA employs approximately 450 associates and has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal and Boston Globe as one of the region’s best places to work. Visit www.asa.org or call 617.728.4631 for more information.