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NorthWestern Energy’s Jerry Gray recognized for support of Air National Guard member
Date: Nov 10, 2021
TYPE: News
Butte, Mont. – Nov. 10, 2021 – NorthWestern Energy Superintendent Hydro Jerry Gray says his biggest concern when Ryan Osterman, supervisor of the hydro maintenance team, was on an eight-month deployment with the Montana Air National Guard, was to take care of things at work so that Osterman could focus on his duties.
“I tried to keep from contacting him with too many questions, I really didn’t want him to know what he would be dealing with when he came back to work,” Gray says with a grin. “That’s not to say Ryan wasn’t missed here, because he definitely was.”
Osterman, however, says Gray’s extraordinary support of his military service went far beyond what he expected. Master Sgt. Osterman nominated Gray for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award, recognizing employers who provide outstanding support and cooperation for their employees who are National Guard and Reserve military personnel.
“While I was deployed, due to my position, NorthWestern Energy didn’t hire anyone to fill in, so Jerry did the work of two supervisors,” Osterman said. “He maintained contact with me and my family during my deployment and offered up his assistance to help with any problems my family came across while I was gone.”
Gray is quick to credit others with sharing the load, as well as NorthWestern Energy.
The training, skills and leadership employees who are military personnel bring to NorthWestern Energy are a valued asset, said NorthWestern Energy Director of Hydro Operations Jeremy Clotfelter.
Employer support is a critical component of success during deployments, said ESGR Montana Public Affairs Representative Mike Flaherty.
“You commit to keeping our members’ civilian jobs secure so they can serve our country and by doing that, you are serving this country too,” said ESGR Montana Chair Brad Livingston.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a volunteer program that is part of the Department of Defense. ESGR develops and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.
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About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)
About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)
NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We are working to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. This includes bridging our history as a regulated utility safely providing low-cost and reliable service with our future as a globally-aware company offering a broader array of services performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 743,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Yellowstone National Park. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002. More information is available on the company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contacts:
Jo Dee Black, NorthWestern Energy
866-622-8081
Mike Flaherty, ESGR
800-336-4590