Athene USA announced today their commitment and reaffirmation of support for members of the Guard and Reserve. Grant Kvalheim, CEO of Athene USA signed a statement of support for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.
In the statement, Athene USA joins other employers in pledging:
- To fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
- To provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- To appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and veterans.
- To continually recognize and support our country's Service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.
"We truly recognize the contributions of today's National Guard and Reserve and fully appreciate their commitment to serve and protect the freedom that Americans experience every day," said Grant Kvalheim, CEO of Athene USA. "Our organization has employed dozens of members of the Guard and Reserve and we appreciate the sacrifices they make every day, as they serve at home and abroad, all in the name of safety and freedom."
In 2014, Athene USA formed the Athene Military Veterans Organization (AMVO) to help focus its company's efforts around hiring veterans, establishing intra-company and intercompany veteran networks, and collaborating with community outreach organizations relative to military veterans, their dependents, and active National Guard and Reservists currently employed at Athene. The AMVO is a network of Athene employees who've served in the military, have friends and/or family in the military, or are just passionate about supporting those who have served. We are honored to be recognized as an award-winning employer for veterans.
Athene USA has also been designated as a Military Friendly Employer and Military Friendly Spouse Employer representing the top tier of institutions who provide the best opportunities for military service members and spouses. Athene is also an employer member of Home Base Iowa and is committed to hiring transitioning service members and veterans for semi-skilled and skilled positions in Iowa.
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About Athene USA
Athene USA is an Iowa-domiciled corporation that serves as the U.S. holding company for Athene's annuity operations in the United States. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Athene USA serves customers in all 50 states, and through its predecessor companies, has been serving American consumers for more than 100 years. Athene USA is a subsidiary of Athene Holding Ltd. Further information can be found at www.athene.com.
About Employers Support of Guard & Reserve (ESGR)
ESGR seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the Department of Defense.