August 29 was Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair. As part of the event, The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) hosted an award ceremony at Dan Patch Park to acknowledge this year’s honored individuals and companies, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Blue Cross has a long history of supporting associates who have ties to the military, whether they are veteran or active-duty status, serve in the National Guard or reserves, or have family members who are serving. The ESGR presented Blue Cross with the Above and Beyond Award for excellence in providing benefits to employees who serve and their family members.

Among the highest honors from ESGR, Blue Cross was recognized for providing pay differential and flexible scheduling, assisting with childcare, supporting military spouses, and more. ESGR’s board selects which companies to recognize based on nominations by military members or spouses who feel especially assisted and supported by employers.

“Receiving the Above and Beyond Award is truly an honor,” Chris Fanning, senior vice president of provider relations, president of commercial markets and executive sponsor of the Allies of the Military associate resource group (ARG) says. “We are grateful to our associates who have served and are proud to have them at Blue Cross.”

Associates with military ties have support through the Allies of the Military ARG. The group was formed in 2020 when the company’s Veterans ARG merged with its Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee. The Allies ARG is open to all associates who either have ties to the armed forces or who want to support these associates and their family members.

There to accept the Above and Beyond Award for Blue Cross was director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, Teron Buford.

“I’m thrilled to accept this award on behalf of Blue Cross. This award shows the dedication and commitment of our Allies of the Military ARG,” Buford says. “They live their mission every day and provide an abundance of support to associates who serve and their families. Their passion is inspiring, and I feel honored to be a part of it.”

Joining Buford was Blue Cross Allies of the Military ARG chair Christina Ricke, as well as product owner John Lunieski and Travis Brownberg, executive administrator and nominator.

“Since I have been employed at Blue Cross, I have already been welcomed by the Military ARG and been given an opportunity to utilize the military leave policy with uninterrupted benefit coverage during service,” Brownberg wrote in his nomination letter. ”As an employee, I know Blue Cross is supportive of current and former members of the Armed Services.”

“We are elated to receive the Above and Beyond Award and to be a finalist for the Freedom Award this year,” Ricke says. “As we look towards 2024, we hope to keep improving to continue honoring our associates who serve through military-friendly policies and giving back to the veterans and military families in our community through volunteerism.”