USA Truck receives Pro Patria Award for military support

Van Buren-based USA Truck on Tuesday (March 8) presented with a Pro Patria Award from the Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The ESGR Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR State Committee to their most outstanding employer in their state or territory.

It is the highest level award given by a state ESGR committee. Recipients have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and reserves.

USA Truck was nominated for the Department of Defense’s highest employer honor, the Freedom Award, which is given to only 15 employers. USA Truck was one of 100 Freedom Award finalists out of more than 4,000 nominations nationwide. Major Brian Pharaoh, a regional sales manager for USA Truck, nominated USA Truck for the Freedom Award. Major Pharaoh is a member of the 108th Sustainment Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard.

“It’s humbling to be here today with one of the finest companies in our nation, USA Truck,” said Richard Green, administrative support technician with ESGR, who presented the award. “Our main charter is to create a culture of support across this nation. Our national defense depends not just on the members of our Guard and Reserve, but on the employers who support them. You all are patriots as well, and we thank you.”

USA Truck also is a partner with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and the trucking and logistic company also works to recruit and hire military veterans.

“We thank the ESGR for this outstanding recognition, as well as Major Pharaoh for his service and his nomination of USA Truck,” said Kandice Harshaw, vice president of Human Resources for USA Truck. “Veterans bring an invaluable presence and skillset to USA Truck. Approximately 25 percent of our work force has a military affiliation, so this is a cause near and dear to us. Our company has a long, proud history of supporting our nation’s heroes, and we will continue to do all we can to help them successfully balance their responsibilities.”

The Arkansas ESGR also honored three USA Truck team members with the Patriot Award in December 2014 recognizing extraordinary civilian support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.