Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) New Wilmington, Pa., plant received an American Legion Employer of Veterans Award during a ceremony this week. The plant also was recently named Pennsylvania Small Employer of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW).
“DFA’s New Wilmington facility has a proud history of hiring veterans,” said Bob Christoff, human resources and safety manager. “Our veteran employees offer the strong work ethic, discipline and perseverance that it takes to work in our industry.”
The American Legion award recognizes DFA for outstanding records in the hiring and retention of veterans. With 25 veteran employees, the New Wilmington plant was the state’s leader in the medium-sized company category (51 to 200 employees) from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009.
The DFA plant will again be honored by the American Legion National Committee in Harrisburg on July 16. As a state winner, the plant also will be nominated to the American Legion National Headquarters for consideration for National Awards recognition.
Criteria for the award require that at least 10 percent of the nominee’s work force must be veterans; the nominee must have been in business for at least five years; the nominee cannot restrict employment to veterans only; and the nominee must be a private-sector employer.
The award was based on a nomination by Gary Zarilla, a Department of Labor veterans employment representative who works with Pennsylvania CareerLink Lawrence County.
Each year the Pennsylvania VFW Employer of the Year Award is given in recognition to employers whose policies and achievements in hiring, promoting, and training of veterans, with special emphasis on disabled veterans is outstanding. With less than 250 employees, DFA’s New Wilmington plant has been named the Small Employer of the Year for the state.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America