Contact Information

Lona Christensen Program Support Specialist 2823 West Main St
Rapid City SD 57702
605-737-6540
lona.m.christensen.mil@mail.mil

Scott MacDonald Program Support Specialist 2823 West Main Street
Rapid City SD 57702
605-737-6011
Scott.macdonald.ctr@mail.mil

Jon Goehring Program Support Technician 801 W. National Guard Drive
Sioux Falls SD 57104
605-357-2983
jonathan.l.goehring.ctr@mail.mil

Karen Bekaert Administrative Support Technician 2823 West Main St
Rapid City SD 57702
605-737-6977
Karen.k.bekaert.ctr@mail.mil

Tim Ries Employment Coordinator 801 W. National Guard Drive
Sioux Falls SD 57104
605-357-2913
Timothy.j.ries.ctr@mail.mil

South Dakota

Committee Leadership

Mr. Ron Mielke State Chair Mrs. Laurie Fluit Bosslift Director
Mr. Don Kelpin Chair Emeritus Mrs. Glenda Blom Public Affairs Director
Mr. Robert Bray Lewis and Clark Area Chair Mr. Steve Hauck Employer Outreach Director
Mr. Randy Rakness Glacial Lakes Area Chair Mr. Darold Rounds Military Outreach Director
Mr. Mike Birnbaum Black Hills Area Chair Mr. Ralph Borkowski Training Director
Mrs. Shannon Holstein
Ombudsman Director Mrs. Francie Ruebel-Alberts Awards Director

  

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, is comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff. We will develop and promote 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 informs and educates Service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). ESGR does not have statutory authority to enforce, but serves as a neutral, free resource to employers and service members. ESGR’s trained ombudsmen provide mediation of issues relating to compliance with USERRA.

News

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June 29, 2016RECIPIENTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE EMPLOYER SUPPORT FREEDOM AWARD NAMED

WASHINGTON ­– The Department of Defense announced today the 15 recipients of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the department gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

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May 24, 2016Wharf Resources supervisor receives Department of Defense Patriot Award

LEAD, S.D. – Charlie Sewell, a foreman at Wharf Resources, was presented with a Patriot Award May 16 by Francie Ruebel-Alberts, awards chair for the South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.





 

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March 29, 2016South Dakota Air National Guard holds change of responsibility

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A ceremony to announce the change of responsibility for the South Dakota Air National Guard state command chief was held at Joe Foss Field, March 5. Chief Master Sgt. Jean Gacke accepted her new responsibility as the state command chief from Chief Master Sgt. James M. Welch.

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