MEDIA CONTACT: Meghan Frick, GaDOE Communications Office, 404-463-4246, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us                                                                                                                                                                                 

June 22, 2018 – State School Superintendent Richard Woods was one of just thirteen Georgia employers to receive the Patriotic Employer Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office.

He was nominated by Commander Justin Hill, who works at the Georgia Department of Education as State Coordinator for the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.

“Superintendent Woods has taken the time to both privately and publicly thank me for my service to this country,” Hill said. “He has written personal notes of thanks and even attended my most recent promotion ceremony to the rank of Commander (O5) in October 2017. At this ceremony, Mr. Woods stated his support to me, my family and to those in attendance. His support has caused a positive ripple effect throughout the entire agency. My family has never felt so supported and appreciated. It is a pleasure and honor to support a supervisor that holds my service and sacrifice in such high regard.”

Thom McKennie, Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, was keynote speaker at an event recognizing the award recipients.

“As employers who support your military employees, you have taken away that one stressor that could cause a military member to decide whether they are going to continue to serve, or if they are going to leave,” he said. “That is of utmost importance to us, as staff members of the military. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for encourage our soldiers and their families. Without that relationship, we would be in a constant rotation of having members join and leave [military service] repeatedly.”

Superintendent Woods shared:

“I grew up in a military family and, knowing some of the difficulties our service members face, I’ve tried to make the Department of Education a friendly, supportive place for them to work. I’m humbled and honored to receive this award – and to be nominated by an employee who’s both a stellar member of our team and someone who has served his country with distinction.”