Lakota business receives award

LAKOTA – On Thursday, April 28, 2022, at the Regional Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Awards Banquet held in Spencer, IA., ESGR representatives presented the prestigious Department of Defense Pro Patria Award to Valero Renewable Fuels of Lakota, Iowa.

The Pro Patria Award is the highest honor a state ESGR Committee can bestow to those employers who have truly separated themselves with unmatched efforts of support, strict adherence to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) which is the federal law that protects the employment rights of National Guard and Reserve Component service members against discrimination for serving their country, and demonstrate exceptional leadership through practices and policies for employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. The Iowa ESGR presents only three Pro Patria Awards each year and Valero Renewables Lakota is the recipient of the Large Employer category.

Staff Sergeant Austin Decker, who serves with the Minnesota Army Reserve, nominated Lakota’s office coordinator, Erica Klukow, for the original Patriot Award which upon review, was elevated to the Pro Patria Award. Decker, Shift Supervisor, writes in his award submission that when notified of his pending deployment, Ms. Klukow “swiftly and expertly started finding avenues that led to an easy seamless process” so that he could fulfill his military commitment.

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers, and to help recognize outstanding support arising from an employee’s military commitment.