Gate City Bank Selected for Highest ESGR Award

Fargo, N.D. - The North Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) proudly announces that Gate City Bank, headquartered in Fargo, N.D., is one of only 15 recipients selected for the 2022 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

 The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. The Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional employer support, with only 310 honorees to date.

 “To be recognized as one of 15 employers nation-wide by this extremely prestigious award serves as a testament of your commitment to your military employees,” said Delton Steele, North Dakota ESGR state chair. “Our national defense is strong thanks to the outstanding support provided by our civilian employers to our reserve component military members. Congratulations to Gate City Bank’s leadership and employees.”

The nominations for the award include small and large, private and public sector employers submitted by a National Guard or Reserve Component service member employed in their organization. ESGR received 2,777 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the United States.

 “At Gate City Bank, we’re incredibly honored to receive the Freedom Award – the highest recognition bestowed upon employers by the Department of Defense,” said Kevin Hanson, President and CEO, Gate City Bank. “It’s an honor and privilege to support our team members who serve in the Guard and Reserve, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to make a difference for service people and their loved ones throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. These heroes deserve our support for all they do to defend our great country."

Gate City Bank was nominated for this award by Sgt. Bleau Hoge, a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard.  Hoge is employed with a branch in Bismarck. 

“I am grateful to my employer for their unyielding support to me and other service members who must take time from our civilian jobs to train in our military skills,” said Hoge. “Our organization cares deeply about all its service members, continuously working to set the standard of how employers should treat our military service members.”

The award will be formally presented in Fargo to Gate City Bank next month.

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve.

For more information:

·       ·     Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil.

·       ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

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