E5Petty Officer Second Class, IP Specialist Matt Andrade is one of 1.3 million members of America's National Guard and Military Reserve who serves his country in a growing number of critical assignments at home and abroad. Thanks to James Bisson Jr., CEO/president of Professional Electrical Contractors (PEC), Andrade knows his job is secure when he is serving his country as a member of the US Naval Reserve.
Bisson Jr.'s wholehearted commitment to U.S. service members was recently given special recognition when he received the "Patriot Award" from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an Office of the Secretary of Defense agency.

"The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding support for their employees who like other citizen-warriors before them have answered the nation's call to serve," said Thomas Boyle, ESGR Massachusetts ESGR chairman.
Bisson was nominated by PEC associate Andrade for his outstanding attitude and cooperation in supporting citizen-warriors like himself. Such support is critical in maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units.
"I'm proud to be an American," said Bisson, "and we are honored to have Matt Andrade as an employee of Professional Electrical Contractors. Our sense of responsibility and support for Matt and his family while he has been on training duty helps keep America strong while lending assurance to Matt and all PEC Associates that their contribution to the defense of the nation is fully recognized."
At a signing ceremony that took place at PEC on August 19th, the company joined patriotic businesses across the country, including virtually the entire Fortune 500, in pledging that:
* We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
* Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
* We will continually recognize and support our country's service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
"By meeting Statement of Support Criteria, Professional Electrical Contractors shows that it stands proudly with its National Guard and Reserve employees and their fellow armed services members who answer the call to defend our nation," said ESGR's Thomas Boyle. "The combined strength of American enterprise in support of our fighting men and women ensures the readiness of our forces while lending peace of mind to employees and their families."
On hand for the presentation and signing ceremony along with Boyle were ESGR southeast area chair and senior ombudsman Joachim-Ingo Borowski and eastern area chair John Pelose, PEC ownership, senior management, and approximately 40 PEC Associates, as well as Andrade s wife and family.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is tasked with facilitating relationships between members of US armed forces and their employers. In this regard it works to increase awareness of relevant state and federal law and is active in resolving matters of difference between employers and service members. ESGR also advocates for constructive initiatives and recognizes outstanding employer support for the National Guard and Reserve.
Professional Electrical Contractors of CT is a leading provider of industrial, commercial and institutional electrical construction services with clients in the Northeast and across the United States. Specializing in large-scale and "green" project work, PEC clients include retailers, manufacturers, municipalities, health and educational institutions.