Hennessy Industries, Inc., has been named a recipient of the Above and Beyond Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee.

The award is presented by ESGR state committees and recognizes employers at the local level that have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act to support employees who are members of the Reserve or Guard.

“We are a patriotic company and do everything we can to support our troops, especially when they are also part of the Hennessy family,” said Sanjay Chowbey, president of Hennessy Industries, Inc.      

Chowbey accepted the award on behalf of Hennessy Industries, which is headquartered in La Vergne, Tenn., from Tennessee ESGR Chairman Carl Lambert. The award was presented to Hennessy Industries because of its generous support of Command Sergeant Major Darren T. McDow – a Hennessy Industries employee – during his five-year deployment.

“Hennessy Industries has distinguished itself by providing outstanding support to its employee and Tennessee Army National Guardsman, Command Sergeant Major Darren McDow,” said Lambert at the award presentation. “McDow’s service to our country is very much appreciated, as is the support of his employer.”

McDow has been on active duty since 2007, and will return to work at Hennessy Industries on April 1. During his deployment, employees from Hennessy Industries kept in touch with his family, sent care packages for him and his fellow soldiers, and even sent a large supply of soccer balls for McDow to distribute to schools in Afghanistan. 

“We’re honored to receive this award, and very proud of Darren’s service to our country over the past five years,” Chowbey said. “More than anything, we’re happy to have him back safely and look forward to his contributions to our team.” 

The Above and Beyond Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize American employers providing extraordinary support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve. The award is given in limited numbers by state committees to employers that meet criteria determined by ESGR.