Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, has honored Andrea Murphy, MWRA Benefits and HRIS Manager, Human Resources, with a Patriot Award in Recognition of her extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve.

When MWRA staff are called to serve in the Guard and Reserve, Andrea steps in to make sure that their benefits coverage continues.

According to Thomas Boyle, ESGR Massachusetts Chair, “The Patriot Award was created to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve."

Andrea was nominated for being highly supportive of The National Guard and Reserve by MWRA HVAC Specialist Daniel Barrasso, a Petty Officer First Class in the U.S. Navy.

 “When I was deployed to Iraq, Andrea was respectful, responsive and, above all, caring,” he said.

“Knowing that my family was being looked after took away some of the stress and allowed me to better focus on my overseas mission.”

Andrea said that she is honored to receive this award and thanks all who have served our country.