Salt Lake City - The National Committee for Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve (ESGR) awarded Sonic Innovations CEO Sam Westover its "Patriotic Employer" award. ESGR offers employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflict through mediation. The Patriotic Employer award is given to supportive managers, supervisors, or a company in general to show appreciation of their military-member employee support. This award can only be given if nominated by an employee involved in the military.
Loe Schoen (left) of the Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve presents its "Patriotic Employer" award to Sonic Innovations CEO Sam Westover (right).
Westover was recognized for supporting Ethan Skarstedt, a graphic designer for Sonic Innovations. Skarstedt, deployed twice to the Middle East while working at Sonic, was kept on payroll and received benefits throughout his deployment. Westover raised awareness of Skarstedt's service and supported the Skarstedt family through these efforts. Sonic Innovations was recognized at an awards dinner held at the Utah State Capitol. Westover recently received the award including an honorary certificate and Patriot pin from Loe Schoen, committee member of the Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve.
"Having a stepfather who was a Vietnam War veteran, I understand what it's like to be deployed and what effect military service can have on a family. I believe it's important for the business sector to do everything it can to try to acknowledge the sacrifices these individuals are making to serve our country," Westover said.
Skarstedt says, "When I first heard about this award, I knew I wanted to nominate Sam. My family and I are so grateful for Sonic's support and involvement in our military journey. My employment was one less thing I had to worry about in an already emotional rollercoaster."
About Sonic Innovations:
Sonic Innovations, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, has international offices and manufacturing centers across the globe. In conjunction with their distributor partners, Sonic Innovations has provided hearing care services and solutions in more than 25 countries and the company's partners have prescribed more than 1 million Sonic hearing instruments. Sonic Innovations is part of the Otix Global, Inc. family (NASDAQ: OTIX), which can be found online at www.otixglobal.com. You may also find more information about Sonic Innovations at the Sonic Innovations web channel on Audiology Online.
