Nissan North America Honored for Extraordinary Support of Employees Who Serve in the Mississippi National Guard and Reserve

Canton, Miss. - The Mississippi Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, announced today that Nissan North America and Arree Williams, manager of product quality assurance at Nissan's Canton, Miss. vehicle assembly plant, were honored with the Patriot Award in recognition of Nissan's extraordinary support for employees who serve in the Mississippi National Guard and Reserve.

The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation's call to serve.  SGT Stephen D. Pruitt nominated Nissan and his manager, Arree Williams, for being highly supportive of the Army National Guard.  

"We appreciate and commend Nissan's support for the men and women that serve our country. Supportive companies and supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units," said Derwood Boyles, Mississippi ESGR Chair Emeritus.

Nissan provides a variety of accommodations to active-duty employees, including job security, continuation of benefits, and supplemental pay, while also counting military service towards work service at Nissan.  Active and reserve military are eligible for Nissan's Vehicle Purchase Program discounts.

"Nissan truly appreciates the service of all men and women in our nation's Guard and Reserve forces. Like Stephen, many of our employees across the U.S. serve to protect our freedoms, and Nissan always strives to support our active-duty employees and their families as much as we can," said Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing in Canton.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Mississippi Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR provides education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.  More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Mississippi contact Jackie Sharp, Program Support Manager at 601-313-6508 or 601-720-3843.

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Contact Information:

Justin P. Saia
Nissan North America, Inc.
Corporate Communications
615-725-3061
Justin.Saia@nissan-usa.com