IT Director Lisa Weaver received the award on June 23 for “going above and beyond” in supporting an employee’s service in the National Guard.

For those who serve their country as members of the Reserves or National Guard, having a supportive, encouraging boss back home can provide some much-needed peace of mind.

Paige Woodbury, an IT support specialist for Yellow and a member of the Missouri National Guard, appreciated having that kind of leader. That’s why she nominated her director, Lisa Weaver, for the Patriotic Employer Award.

In a ceremony on June 23 at Yellow’s Field Resource Center in Overland Park, KS, Weaver received the award from Dave White, a volunteer for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The Patriotic Employer Award recognizes those who go above and beyond in supporting employees who are also service members.

Support Throughout Deployment

Woodbury joined Yellow in 2019 and has been deployed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. One thing she hasn’t had to worry about is the support she receives from Weaver, a director of IT service management, as well as her fellow team members at Yellow. Woodbury was able to attend the award ceremony for Weaver through a video call.

“Lisa’s dedication to her employees is remarkable, especially those who are currently serving in the Guard and Reserves,” said Jason Schenkel, Yellow’s military engagement program manager, who was also at the ceremony.

Weaver, who has worked at Yellow for three years, praised Human Resources for guiding her through Yellow’s approach to supporting employees who are deployed.

“To me, the award is for Yellow for helping me understand our policies in supporting the military so that we can support Paige,” she said. “I don’t have a military background, but I have such empathy for people who are out there doing the hard thing: leaving their families, going overseas, protecting us and serving their country.”

Weaver said her team misses Woodbury and stays connected with her through virtual phone calls. It meant a lot that Woodbury could call into the ceremony and say a few words.

“I could tell Paige was getting a little verklempt and was kind of wiping her face as she talked about missing her Yellow family,” Weaver said.

Serving Those Who Serve Our Country

As a company that values all current and former service members in its workforce, Yellow is proud to accommodate those employees who must balance their work for us with continued service to their country as reservists or members of the National Guard.

The help and encouragement that Weaver has provided Woodbury during her deployment is a shining example of how we can provide support for our service members from the home front.