AKRON, Ohio, July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has been named a
recipient of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom
Award, the nation's highest honor given to employers for
exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees.
Goodyear was one of 15 companies across the United States recognized and selected from
more than 2,400 nominations submitted by guardsmen and reservists.
Goodyear is the first company in the tire industry to receive the
award, which was created in 1996.
"The extraordinary support Goodyear provides contributes greatly
to the readiness and resilience of our guardsmen and reservists,"
said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. "Their support allows those
troops to serve our nation at home and abroad knowing their
civilian careers are secure, and is vitally important to the
success of our national security strategy."
Goodyear was recognized for the honor based on its strong
military support including:
- The company hired 1,000 Guard, Reserve and veteran employees
from 2011-2014 and renewed that commitment in 2015;
- Goodyear supports members of the U.S. Armed Forces and families
through its annual "Support Our Troops" campaign, which has
generated more than $1 million over
the past six years; and
- Goodyear's executive leadership supports the company's military
employee resource group, which advises on hiring initiatives and
mentors new Guard and Reserve employees, and provides community and
company networking assistance.
"On behalf of the 1,400 Goodyear associates who are either U.S.
military veterans or reservists, we proudly accept the Freedom
Award," said Steve McClellan,
president, Goodyear Americas. "We take enormous pride in our
century of commitment to those who serve, through our iconic blimp
program, our charitable giving and our position as the largest tire
producer for the U.S. military."
Goodyear has more than 100 years of history building innovative
tires and equipment to help support and protect U.S. troops and is
the largest producer of military tires in the country. The tire
manufacturer has helped build more than 150 blimps for the U.S.
Navy and customizes its iconic Goodyear Eagle race tires annually
to display a Support Our Troops message during NASCAR races in
Charlotte, N.C.
In June, Goodyear introduced a new military promotion in
conjunction with Walmart. The company's donation of $100,000 to the Support Our Troops organization,
a nonprofit nationwide organization that works to bolster the
morale and well-being of America's troops and their families,
complemented by a consumer component, will allow consumers to show
their support to military members through contributions and
nominations. More details can be found at
https://corporate.goodyear.com/en-US/media/news/goodyear-and-walmart-collaborate-to-support-troops.html.
In past years, Goodyear has received the Pro Patria and Above
And Beyond Awards, two similarly-judged awards from the Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve, and was recently recognized as a
Military Friendly Employer by G.I.
Jobs magazine for its leadership in hiring and
supporting veterans.
For more information on the 2016 Freedom Award program, visit
www.freedomaward.mil. For more information on ESGR, visit
www.esgr.mil.
Goodyear and the other recipients will be honored in an
August 26 ceremony at the
Pentagon.
Goodyear, founded in 1898 in Akron, is one of the world's largest tire
companies. It employs approximately 66,000 people and manufactures
its products in 49 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its
two Innovation Centers in Akron,
and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive
to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the
technology and performance standard for the industry. For more
information about Goodyear and its products, go to
www.goodyear.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160721/391828
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goodyear-receives-secretary-of-defense-freedom-award-300302263.html
SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company