Jim Rabideau and Judy West, left, of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program, present the Patriot Award to Mark Cranston, an industrial hygiene supervisor for Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) at the Hanford Site.
Jim Rabideau and Judy West, left, of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program, present the Patriot Award to Mark Cranston, an industrial hygiene supervisor for Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) at the Hanford Site.

RICHLAND, Wash. – A U.S. Department of Defense program that promotes supportive work environments for members of the National Guard and Reserve recently honored a Hanford Site supervisor.

   The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program recognized Mark Cranston with its Patriot Award for encouraging cooperation and understanding between EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) and its employee Jerry Saenz, a WRPS industrial hygiene technician and staff sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve.

   Established in 1972, ESGR supports Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers, and helps resolve conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

   Saenz nominated Cranston for the award. During the past six years Cranston has been Saenz’s supervisor, he has helped the employee manage his dual roles as a Hanford technician and a sergeant with the 477th Transportation Company in Marysville, Washington.

   “The company supports employees taking military leave as needed,” said Cranston, a WRPS industrial hygiene supervisor. “We’ve tried to be very accommodating.”

   The award recognizes employer efforts to support employees in military service through a range of measures, including flexible work schedules, time off, care for families, and leaves of absence.

   Saenz’s military career began when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000. Before transitioning to the Army Reserve, Saenz served in the Army National Guard from 2007 to 2016. He was deployed to the Middle East from 2012 to 2013.

   “Without supervisors like Cranston and companies like WRPS, part time soldiers would have a difficult time coordinating their full time civilian jobs with their military duty,” ESGR representative Judy West said. “WRPS has a history of strong support of its military affiliated employees.”