Waupaca Foundry Inc. (Waupaca, Wisconsin), a Hitachi Metals company, received the Patriot Award in recognition of support of employees serving in the Army Reserves. Kyle Myszka, a metallurgist at the Marinette ductile iron foundry, nominated supervisor Joe Keske and Human Resources Manager Phil Eatherton for being supportive while he served in Army Reserves officer candidate school.
Myszka graduated with a master’s degree in material science from Michigan Technological University and began employment with Waupaca Foundry in June 2015. He worked with plant leaders to plan a path for military service and entered officer candidate school in August 2016. It is Waupaca Foundry’s policy to hold all jobs open for employees engaged in active military service.
Approximately 11% of the foundry’s 4,400 workers nationwide are veterans of the armed services.
“We are proud and honored that Kyle is working with us and that he selected military service as a path in his life,” Eatherton said. “As a veteran myself, I know the sacrifices families make and worrying about losing a job should not be one of them.”
The Patriot Award is only presented to employers who not only hire Guard and Reserve members, but also demonstrate superior support to military employees and their families. This is the second time Waupaca Foundry has been honored with the award, previously being nominated by team member, Thomas Walecki. Walecki’s supervisor Darrell Bartel was nominated for being highly supportive and respectful of his team member while he was on active duty.
“We are proud to employ veterans and team members who serve in the Army National Guard and Reserves,” said Joey Leonard, executive vice president of human resources. “The commitment and teamwork they learn in the military directly translates to our work environment.”
