U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brian McCleskey Honors Patriot Award Winner Con-way Freight for Active Support of Veterans and their Families as Soldiers are Called to Serve
U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brian McCleskey, a driver sales representative for Con-way Freight, has served two tours of duty with the Army Reserve in Kuwait and Afghanistan. During those deployments, he was able to focus on his mission and leave concerns over his family’s well-being behind ' thanks to Con-way Freight, his employer of nearly 15 years and a staunch supporter of veterans and their families.
Today, Staff Sgt. McCleskey honored his employer with a special presentation ' an American flag that flew with our nation’s soldiers in Afghanistan. For Staff Sgt. McCleskey, it was a gift of thanks for his company’s active support and outreach to him and his family while he served two tours of duty under Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
At a ceremony held at Con-way Freight’s service center here, company officials also recognized Staff Sgt. McCleskey for his service to the country, and accepted the commemorative flag, which will be displayed at the company’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich. The flag was flown on a combat mission aboard a U.S. Air Force F-16CM over Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. McCleskey enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2003 and has been a Con-way Freight driver for nearly 15 years. He was first deployed in 2008, stationed in Kuwait and then once again in 2010 to Afghanistan ' both in transportation roles. McCleskey has a seven-year-old daughter and his wife, Patti, is expecting their second child. While he was deployed, Con-way Freight’s human resources representatives maintained close contact with Patti to ensure she understood and was receiving company benefits for deployed soldiers, and that the company’s support network of employee volunteers was helping her with everyday challenges like home maintenance, auto repairs and snow removal.
“Not only did I know my job with Con-way Freight would be there for me when I returned from overseas, I also knew that my family was being cared for, and that gave me the peace of mind I needed to be fully present and there for my unit,” said McCleskey. “I’ve worked for this company for a long time and their support of the Guard and Reserves is important to me. They allow me to serve my country, without risking the livelihood of my family. It was a wonderful experience to share this token of my appreciation with the company today.”
Con-way offers its employee-soldiers pay differentials and uninterrupted health benefits for their families during the first year of deployment. Over the last five years, the company has paid more than $1.1 million in differential compensation to its deployed employee-soldiers. Upon return from active duty, employees are reinstated to the same or equal job, pay and grade level. If an employee needs to move for a returning job, the company pays relocation expenses. To help employees readjust to civilian duty, Con-way’s Employee Assistance Program provides access to counseling through the company’s health benefit plans. Lastly, company employees on a quarterly basis sponsor drives in which “care packages” of goods such as foodstuffs and other personal hygiene items are collected and shipped to soldiers and their units in the field.
“The American flag that Staff Sgt. McCleskey graciously presented us with today flew with distinction over our troops in Afghanistan,” said Con-way Freight President Greg Lehmkuhl. “We’ve always supported hiring military veterans and members of the Guard and Reserves at Con-way. They have leadership skills, a work ethic and a level of responsibility and dedication to their jobs that’s a direct result of their military experience. Brian’s gift is one we will treasure and that holds great meaning for us. We thank him for his service and will co
