Goodyear earns Dept. of Defense award

AKRON (April 22, 2015) — Goodyear was honored recently with the Pro Patria Award from the Ohio Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense.

Goodyear described the honor as the highest state-level award given to a civilian employer by the department.

Pro Patria Award honorees are employers that demonstrate exceptional support for the U.S. national defense, Goodyear said, by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve.

“This award reflects Goodyear's ongoing commitment to supporting those who serve in the U.S. armed forces,” said Gary VanderLind, Goodyear North America vice president of human resources.

“We are honored by the recognition of our efforts to support the men and women who serve our country as members of the Guard or Reserve.”

For the past three years, Goodyear has been named a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine for its leadership in hiring and supporting military service veterans, Goodyear said. In 2014, Goodyear surpassed a three-year goal of hiring 1,000 veterans and committed to hiring an additional 1,000 veterans in 2015.

Mr. VanderLind said veterans, guardsmen and reservists looking to build a civilian career find the Goodyear culture supportive of traditional military values, with a focus on delivering results. The company has an employee veterans association that is dedicated to supporting veterans in their transition to civilian life and careers at Goodyear.

The Akron-based tire maker said it has provided products and support to the military for more than 100 years and is considered the country's largest producer of military tires. The company's “Goodyear Gives Back” campaign has generated nearly $1 million in donations for the non-profit organization Support Our Troops since 2010.