Underwood, ND – Midwest AgEnergy, the parent company to ethanol biorefineries, Blue Flint, near Underwood, ND and Dakota Spirit, near Spiritwood, ND is honored to announce it has been awarded the 2019 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Veterans (HIRE Vets) Gold Medallion Award. By meeting the criteria required for a Gold Medallion Award, Midwest AgEnergy has demonstrated a model of patriotism worthy of praise, as well as, recognition of the value veterans bring to the workplace. Midwest AgEnergy is the first company in North Dakota to receive this prestigious award.

 

The Department of Labor established the HIRE Vets Program under the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act, signed by President Trump on May 5, 2017. The program recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain our nation’s veterans. Employer-applicants meeting criteria established in the rule receive a “HIRE Vets Medallion Award.” The program recognizes large, medium, and small employers at two levels, platinum and gold, depending on the criteria met.

Midwest AgEnergy employs seven military veterans of its total workforce consisting of 89 employees between the two facilities. The veteran employees include: Trevor Goldade, Mechanic Technician; Darren Job, Operator Technician; Nicholas Milbrath, Yard Operator Technician; Jake Ruff, Operator Technician; Fred Schauer, Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator; Curtis Schestler, Yard Operator Technician, and Mike Zimmerman, Operator Technician. “Veterans possess many of the key values that are part of our company culture at Midwest AgEnergy. We are very proud of our veteran employees and honored to receive this recognition,” said Jeff Zueger, CEO of Midwest AgEnergy.

 

Military service develops leadership skills, technical expertise, and problem-solving capabilities – all in demand by America’s companies,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “The HIRE Vets Medallion program provides a tremendous opportunity for employers to recruit talented veterans and demonstrate support for those who have sacrificed so much for their country.

News Release courtesy of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce.