Pictured (left to right): Micah Weinstein, Steve Dombrowski, Brian Harrell, Dave McGill and Roger Hicks

Honor presented by Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

ORANGE, Conn. — September 4, 2024 — For the second consecutive year, Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) team members have received the prestigious Patriot Award from the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) department. The honor was presented to Avangrid’s Vice President and Chief Security Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brian Harrell, Director of Physical Security and U.S. Air Force veteran Roger Hicks and Senior Manager of Physical Security David McGill for going above and beyond to support uniformed team members who serve as a part of the National Guard and Reserve. 

“The energy sector consistently seeks out highly skilled workers, and veterans often fulfill this need due to their discipline and emphasis on safety,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “The leadership qualities and goal-oriented approach honed in military service are valuable assets in our field. Avangrid’s dedication to supporting veterans extends beyond recruitment; we actively support the career growth and advancement of our veteran employees. Brian, Roger, and David exemplify our dedication, and I am pleased to have them recognized for their contributions.”

Steve Dombrowski, member of Connecticut ESGR, recently presented Harrell, Hicks and McGill with their Patriot Awards at Avangrid corporate headquarters in Orange, Connecticut. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made by supervisors to support uniformed team members beyond what is required by the law through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed. 

“Veterans are an essential part of our workforce across all business functions, and their leadership, experience and expertise are integral to our success as we continue our sustainable energy path,” said Harrell. “We are honored to again be recognized for our efforts to recruit, hire and retain veterans, and we remain committed to ensuring their success at Avangrid and beyond.” 

Harrell, Hicks and McGill were nominated by Micah Weinstein, member of U.S. Coast Guard Reserves (USCGR) and Project Manager of Security at Avangrid. Weinstein says that nominating these individuals was his way of saying thank you: “Having the support of leadership who understands the commitment of being a member of the USCGR allows me to focus on the mission-at-hand and reduces the stress of being away. Both Brian and Roger are veterans and having that firsthand knowledge of how the military operates and the complexity of managing dual worlds provides the support I need to be successful in both military and civilian life.”

Additionally, Avangrid has a business resource group—AVAN-Veterans—dedicated to promoting career development and enrichment for Avangrid employees who have served. This group is open to all employees and provides community building, networking, and professional development. This group hosts a regular coffee chat series where they support locally owned businesses and hold recruitment events focused on helping veterans transition out of active duty and into the workforce.

ESGR is the lead U.S. Defense Department program promoting cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. Established in 1972, ESGR operates within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.