SIOUX FALLS, SD (May 6, 2014) – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, announced today Mike Skuodas, Director of Sales – Dakota Gold at POET Nutrition, was recently honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of his extraordinary support of team members serving in the South Dakota Guard and Reserve.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Ron Mielke, South Dakota ESGR State Chair. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”
Skuodas was nominated by Justin Schnieders, 114th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Abby Roberts, 1742nd Transportation Company for being highly supportive of the Army and Air National Guard. Schnieders and Roberts currently work at POET Nutrition and nominated Skuodas for his support of their National Guard duties, including the availability of flexible schedules, time off for inspections and training time, and additional time to care for their Guard family as well as their own families at home.

“I am truly humbled to receive this award and accept this honor on behalf of everyone at POET and POET Nutrition,” said Skuodas. “Supporting the National Guard is part of the culture we embody here at POET. Abby and Justin have stepped up to serve our state and country, as have many other POET team members, and we will continue to do all we can to support them and their families.”

Don Dietrich, President of POET Nutrition, signed a Statement of Support to declare POET Nutrition’s support of service members employed by the organization.

PICTURED (from left to right): Amy Lingbeck, ESGR Volunteer; Jeff Lautt, President & CEO, POET; Don Dietrich, President, POET Nutrition; Abby Roberts, Sales Manager, POET Nutrition (ARNG 1742nd); Mike Skuodas, Director of Sales – Dakota Gold, POET Nutrition; Justin Schnieders, Sales Coordinator, POET Nutrition (ANG 114th), Laurie Fluit, ESGR Volunteer.

About ESGR

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

About POET

POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production facilities. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic bio-ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk as feedstock, and expects to commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa through its joint venture with DSM. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.