Employer of Va. Guard officer receives ESGR award - Sept. 26, 2014

David LaGassa, vice president and head of the Capital One Military Network, accepted an award for Capital One Sept. 26, 2014, during the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony at the Pentagon Auditorium, Arlington, Va.

Capital One was nominated by Lt. Col. Christopher S. Doss, chief of plans, assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based Headquarters, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, The Land Component Commander, Virginia Army National Guard also attended there ceremony. The award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to their Guard and Reserve employees. It is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

Capital One was nominated by Doss, who focused his nomination on the company’s “Serve the Reserve” program, which provides voluntary assistance from associates to military members on extended active service, family support during deployments and up to two weeks full pay annually to cover required military training. Capital One offers a Military Mentorship Program to match up newly transitioned veteran hires with associate veterans to offer a smooth transition from the military to the company workforce. The company has also contributed significantly to financially supporting and volunteering with military organizations.

Almost one-half of the U.S. military is comprised of the Guard and Reserve. The Department of Defense shares these citizen warriors with their civilian employers, many of whom provide significant support to their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. This award recognizes employers who provide the most outstanding support for their Guard and Reserve employees and is presented annually by the Secretary of Defense.