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West Des Moines, IA | July 1, 2019 – Paul Mocarski, vice president and chief information security officer, and Jeff Lenninger, director of information technology, have both been honored with the Patriot Award by the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DOD) office. Mocarski and Lenninger are employees of Sammons^® Financial Group Member Companies (SFG) who were nominated for the award in recognition of exemplary support of Jeff O’Brien, also an SFG employee, who serves as captain with the 103^rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the U.S. Army Reserve.  

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support reservists and guardsmen through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence when necessary.  

“Paul and Jeff have both been extremely supportive of me through a hectic monthly drill and annual training schedule as my unit prepares to ship out,” said O’Brien. “Their understanding and encouragement during the past several months has been extremely helpful and greatly appreciated,” O’Brien added. 

“At SFG, we fully support our employees who are involved in the military and praise them for their service to our country,” said Teri Ross, president of Shared Services at SFG. “Paul and Jeff L. truly deserve this recognition for giving Jeff O. the necessary support to fulfill his military duties. Their actions are a true testament of our culture at SFG,” added Ross.  

ESGR is a Department of Defense program established to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. The organization provides education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. For more information about ESGR, such as volunteer opportunities or outreach programs, visit www.ESGR.mil or call 800-294-6607. 

Since 2016, three SFG employees have received the Patriot Award: Steve Bishop, Greg Bonzagni, and Dave Rinehart. In addition, SFG donated $20,000 to support the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Honored Interment (VHI) project.

About Sammons^® Financial Group, Inc.

The companies of Sammons^® Financial Group, Inc. help families and businesses protect their future to enjoy life’s moments today. A subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., Sammons Financial Group is privately owned with member companies that are among the most enduring and stable in the financial services industry. Our companies include Midland National^® Life Insurance Company (including Sammons^® Corporate Markets); North American Company for Life and Health Insurance^®; and  Sammons Institutional Group^SM (including Midland Retirement Distributors^® and  Sammons Retirement Solutions^®). Together, we offer today’s most sought-after life insurance, annuity, and retirement planning products. Sammons Financial Group: With You for Every Moment^®.