Two Ariens managers receive DOD Patriot Award
HIGH HONORS – Ariens Company’s Dan Barker, value stream manager, and Dave Lutterman, manufacturing leader, received the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense operational committee, Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Pictured from left to right are as follows: Brad Shields, State Command Sergeant Major; Jerry Clusen, ESGR, Area One chairperson; Dan Ariens, Ariens Company chairman and CEO; Dan Barker; Cody Krepline, Ariens team leader and Sergeant First Class in the Wisconsin Army National Guard; Dave Lutterman; Brigadier General Mark Anderson, Assistant Adjutant General for the Army; and Jeffrey Unger, ESGR employer outreach coordinator.Two Ariens Company employees were recently recognized with the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense operational committee, Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Dan Barker, value stream manager, and Dave Lutterman, manufacturing leader, received the award, which honors individual supervisors for their support of Guard and Reserve employees. Nominations must be made by service members or their spouses.
Ariens employee and Guard member, Cody Krepline, nominated the two for the award. Krepline is a team leader at Ariens and a Sergeant First Class in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his nomination, Krepline wrote, “My supervisors at Ariens develop exceptional people and build teams, while recognizing and honoring my military service requirement and supporting my family while I am away serving on active duty.”
The three-time combat veteran has earned a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendations medals, three Army Achievement Medals, two Army Reserve Component Achievement medals, and a combat action badge among other recognitions.
“Dan, David and Cody have made this a very proud day for all Ariens Company employees,” said Dan Ariens, chairman and CEO, Ariens Company. “All three exemplify the company Core Values. We also take the opportunity to publicly acknowledge our commitment to all employees who are active Guards and Reservists.”
Dan Ariens signs a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on behalf of Ariens Company, with Brigadier General Mark Anderson, Assistant Adjutant General for the Army, left, and Cody Krepline, Ariens team leader and Sergeant First Class in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, right, looking on.
Dan Ariens signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on behalf of Ariens Company as part of the event. Employers who sign the document agree to recognize and support Service members and their families and to provide company managers and supervisors with the tools they need to manage those employees who serve.Brigadier General Mark Anderson, Assistant Adjutant General for the Army, participated in the award ceremony and addressed the crowd of Ariens Company employees.
