Pergo’s vice president of sales, accepts the Patriot Award

Raleigh, N.C.— Pergo employees showed pride for both their company and their country at the company’s 2006 national sales meeting. The leading manufacturer and marketer of laminate flooring received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Patriot Award from Staff Sergeant Greg Martin—a member of the New York Army National Guard and territory sales manager for Pergo—in recognition and appreciation of the support he received from the mill before, during and after he was called to active duty in Iraq in 2003.

The Patriot Award is the second highest recognition given to employers for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Pergo not only kept Martin’s job open during his 18-month absence, but continuously kept in contact with him during his time in Iraq—sending care packages, updating him on his customers and offering wishes for his safe return.

Martin joined Pergo in 2002 as a territory sales manager in the New York area. Less than a year later, he was informed that his National Guard unit would be deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, to relieve current U.S. Army troops stationed there and bolster operations in the area.

“Pergo stood with me from the moment I received my orders,” said Martin. “The company has been an outstanding employee family that really came together to help me. They made it clear my job was secure and they were pulling for me to come home.”

Two of Martin’s colleagues, Tom Savage and Doug Nargi, absorbed an extra 50 stores each into their territories to cover for Martin. The close-knit team, which also included Dave McClatchy, Pergo director of specialty retail sales, kept Martin up-to-speed on business news in his region and sent periodic care packages to the base to boost his morale.

“It’s so important to feel appreciated and remembered when you’re over there fighting,” said Martin. “Nominating Pergo for this award was a way for me to say thank you to the company and to each of those guys for helping me and my family at a very important time.”

Paul Duval, Pergo vice president of sales, accepted the award from Martin on behalf of the company. “I’m very proud to accept this award from Greg and even more proud of the work he has done to protect our country. We are glad to have him back home safe and sound.”

For more information about Pergo and its products, call 800/222-1817.
—Louis Iannaco