AIS is proud to announce the selection of Steve Suing, Practice Manager for our Durham, NC office, for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support Citizen Warriors 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.

This award was presented in recognition of Mr. Suing’s support of Colonel Stephan Iacovelli who has worked with AIS since 2013. Colonel Iacovelli enlisted in the Army in 1984 and was commissioned as an Engineer in 1989. He has served in various leadership and staff positions over his 32-year career and is currently the Commanding Officer of an Initial Entry Training Brigade stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC.

“Mr. Suing has been extremely supportive of my military service and has had my back, on numerous occasions, supporting me in my military obligations, which frequently have me traveling all over the country,” Colonel Iacovelli wrote. “He goes out of his way to promote and tout my military service and accomplishments within our company; he absolutely considers it an asset to AIS. Due to my position, I have a much higher than normal requirement for involvement with my unit. Mr. Suing understands the commitment required of me to be able to continue my military service. He has taken unnecessary responsibilities off my plate so that I could devote time to my family, my responsibilities as brigade commander, and the requirements of my enrollment in the Army War College. I count myself very fortunate to have him as my supervisor.”

In accepting the award, Mr. Suing stated, “This an acknowledgement from Col. Stephen Iacovelli that myself and AIS has supported him in his military Duty. Although this was awarded to me, it reflects on AIS as a whole.”