Burford Corp., Maysville, Okla., was recently nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for the support of employees serving the Guard and Reserve. A business must be nominated by a Guard or Reserve employee or family member acting on their behalf. A national selection board comprised of senior Department of Defense, business leaders and prior awardees then select up to 10 employers to receive the award.
In September, Burford began sending care packages to troops overseas after employee and National Guardsman Kent Turner saw a fellow soldier’s social media post about not having received anything from home. Mr. Turner’s company-wide email was expanded on by Burford president Fred Springer, and the company sent 14 boxes weighing about 30 lbs each by December. The company has sent packages to members of every branch of the military, with a focus on military members from Oklahoma.
Burford employs 14 military veterans in addition to three active Gaurdsmen, a total of 20% of its workforce. The company has received awards from ESGR in the past, including the Seven Seals Award and the Above and Beyond Award. Mr. Springer, among others in the company, has received the Patriot Award.
