U.S. military veterans employed by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) received a standing ovation from their colleagues in recognition for their service to country at TTI Day, an annual gathering of employees. Naming his or her branch of the service, Executive Associate Director Bill Stockton called each of TTI’s 38 veterans to the stage.
Holly Crenshaw, TTI’s director of Facilities, Safety and Support Services, and Katie Womack, senior research scientist in TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a U.S. Department of Defense organization. The award recognizes outstanding support of employees who are in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Stuart Denner, TTI safety coordinator, nominated Crenshaw for the award, and Mike Guidry, TTI research associate, nominated Womack. Denner and Guidry are members of the same unit and are scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan this fall. Naval Reserve Unit leaders Chief Ernesto Limón and Commander Keith Gartner presented the awards.
Jay Kimbrough, special advisor to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, described the A&M System’s Military Friendly Project that he initiated two years ago. The initiative assists returning veterans with the transition to civilian life and seeks to ensure that they are aware of A&M System employment opportunities and student benefits.
“I’m here because on May 10, 1967, my platoon sergeant saved me,” Kimbrough said. “I’m here because of the men and women that serve and continue to serve and sacrifice. “When we started this project, there was no agency more immediately responsive than TTI, and I thank you for that.”