Summary

The Secretary of Defense honored King County with a 2023 Freedom Award - the highest honor for employers supporting National Guard and Reserve employees.

Story

King County has been honored with a 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of its support of National Guard and Reserve members.

Only 15 recipients were selected for the award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to small and large private and public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

“King County is deeply honored by this award,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Military personnel bring an unmistakable can-do attitude, proven effectiveness working in diverse environments, and a rock-solid sense of duty and service, which is exactly what we want at King County. We are committed to supporting our Guard and Reserve employees and their families, and we are stronger for their contributions – as an employer and a community.”

Metro Transit Chief Lisa Dove was also presented with the Patriot Award, which is given to a supervisor or manager who has supported their national guard or reserve service member. Chris Cappalletti, Petty Officer II, U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, and a Metro Transit Operator from the Ryerson Base, nominated both King County and Lisa – his supervisor – for the awards.

"Metro is incredibly proud of the many current and former service members on our teams who keep our region moving," said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. "Their dedication, expertise, leadership, skills, and teamwork strengthen Metro and advance our community. I want to congratulate Metro Transit Chief Lisa Dove for the remarkable and well-deserved honor of winning the Patriot Award. Thank you also to Metro Transit Operator Chris Cappalletti for acknowledging and rewarding excellence."

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) received 1,863 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

Relevant links

• 2023 Freedom Award

Quotes

King County is deeply honored by this award. Military personnel bring an unmistakable can-do attitude, proven effectiveness working in diverse environments, and a rock-solid sense of duty and service, which is exactly what we want at King County. We are committed to supporting our Guard and Reserve employees and their families, and we are stronger for their contributions – as an employer and a community.

Metro is incredibly proud of the many current and former service members on our teams who keep our region moving. Their dedication, expertise, leadership, skills, and teamwork strengthen Metro and advance our community. I want to congratulate Metro Transit Chief Lisa Dove for the remarkable and well-deserved honor of winning the Patriot Award. Thank you also to Metro Transit Operator Chris Cappalletti for acknowledging and rewarding excellence.

For media inquiries, contact:

Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537