Delmarva Veteran Builders Selected as Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipient

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today that Delmarva Veteran Builders has been named as a recipient of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the department gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Fifteen employers were selected for the 2016 award. 

“These 15 employers have distinguished themselves through their outstanding support of our Guard and Reserve members and their families," said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “Without the unfaltering support of employers like them, the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve would not be able to fulfill their vital roles in our National Security Strategy. It is a great honor for me to recognize these employers, and I congratulate them on their receipt of the Employer Support Freedom Award.” 

The 2016 recipients were selected from 2,424 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists in all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 220 employers have been honored with the award. 

Almost half of the U.S. military is made up of National Guard and Reserve members, many of whom also hold jobs with civilian employers. The Freedom Award recognizes those employers that provide the most outstanding support for these Citizen Warriors. This year’s recipients will be honored at the Pentagon in an official ceremony on August 26. 

For more information on the 2016 Freedom Award program, contact Maj. S.J. Brown at (571) 372-0692 or visit www.freedomaward.mil. For more information on ESGR, visit www.esgr.mil.

Delmarva Veteran Builders receives Department of Defense Pro Patria Award for exceptional support

Delmarva Veteran Builders receives Department of Defense Pro Patria Award for exceptional support 

DATELINE: ANNAPOLIS, Md 

LEAD: Maryland Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) office, announced today Delmarva Veteran Builders was honored with a Pro Patria Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. 

ESGR’s Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR State Committee to one small, one large and one public sector employer in their state or territory. Recipients have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate 

in the National Guard and Reserve. This is the highest level award that may be bestowed by a state ESGR committee. 

Delmarva Veteran Builders has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. 

“Delmarva Veteran Builders hires National Guard and Reserve members because they are trained to win, operate as a team, and will not fail,” Delmarva Veteran Builders President Chris Eccleston said. “They are the best trained workforce in America thanks to the United States military.” 

ESGR, a DoD office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. 

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-336- 4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Selected as Finalist for Department of Defense Top Employer Award

Delmarva Veteran Builders selected as a finalist from 2,424 nominations 

SALISBURY, Md. – March 17, 2016 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, commonly referred to as the “Freedom Award.” The three Maryland employers of Guard and Reserve employees are among 139 semifinalists broken down into 48 large employers, 46 small employers, and 45 public sector employers. 

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the DoD to employers for their support of National Guard and Reserve members. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR organizes the annual award program, which has presented the honor to 220 employers since 1996. Each year, up to 15 awards are presented to employers in three categories – large (500 or more employees), small (fewer than 500 employees), and public sector. 

“Serving and supporting our Veterans by providing employment opportunities is our mission,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “We are honored to be included in the list of semifinalists and acknowledge all other businesses for their dedication and support to our U.S. Armed Forces Veterans.” 

This year’s finalist group is comprised of 11 large employers, 10 small employers, and 9 public sector employers. 

"The 2016 Freedom Award finalists reflect the diversity in size and location of employers that provide outstanding support for Guard and Reserve members," said ESGR Executive Director Alex Baird. "These 30 finalists span the diversity of America's workforce and prove every employer, whether large, small, public, or private, can go above and beyond for our Citizen Warriors." 

ESGR received 2,424 nominations for employers in all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. This year’s 30 finalists are expected to be announced in April, with the recipients being announced in late June. Updates, press releases and a complete list of the 2,424 nominees can be found
at http://tinyurl.com/zuss7jj. 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Awarded Virginia Department of Transportation Accomack Residency Vehicle Maintenance Shop Project

SALISBURY, Md. – February 3, 2016 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being awarded a new construction project for a 10,000 square foot, VDOT Accomack Residency Vehicle Maintenance Shop to be located at the corner of Rt. 13 and Courthouse Avenue in Accomack, Virginia. 

The structural steel and masonry construction will be for a single story facility equipped with offices and vehicle bays used for servicing VDOT vehicles. The facility will also include a bridge and job crane installation. Delmarva Veteran Builder’s Daniel Mills will be the project manager and Fletcher Schrodt will serve as the superintendent on the job. 

“Having the opportunity to serve the needs of an Eastern Shore of Virginia service provider allows Delmarva Veteran Builders to expand our reach on the peninsula,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “We look forward to working with VDOT to enable them to ensure safety to travelers on Accomack’s network of roads.” 

Delmarva Veteran Builders has scheduled project completion for November, 2016. For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com. 

Delmarva Veteran Builders Hired to Build New Rehoboth Beach Parking Meter Building

SALISBURY, MD – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced its first new construction project for the city of Rehoboth Beach. DVB has been hired to build a new 3,500 square foot administrative office for the Rehoboth Beach Parking Meter Department at 229 Rehoboth Beach Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. 

“We are excited to have the opportunity to take on a new construction project for the city of Rehoboth Beach, said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “We know timing is of the essence for a tourist community like Rehoboth and will deliver the final product on time for the 2016 summer season.” 

“We know Delmarva Veteran Builders was low bid on the project but we also know they have a good reputation in the area for quality work,” said Kevin Lucas, senior project manager, EDiS Company. 

The single story, wood framed structure will have slab-on-grade floors and metal roofing with a masonry exterior. EDiS Company based in Lewes, Delaware has been hired as the construction manager by the City of Rehoboth Beach who will own the building. DVB is scheduled to be complete the build by summer, 2016. 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Awarded Akridge Scout Reservation Amphitheater and Chapel Project

SALISBURY, Md. – January 11, 2016 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being awarded a new construction project for an outdoor amphitheater that will also serve as a chapel at Akridge Scout Reservation at 1910 Baden Powell Way in Dover, Delaware. 

“We are thrilled that the Del-Mar-Va Council chose Delmarva Veteran Builders to build the new amphitheater, said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “Many of our team members have been through the scouting program and understand and value and the significance of the organization still to this day in their daily lives.” 

Delmarva Veteran Builders has been hired to build a single story structure for an amphitheater that will cover seating for 350 people and include outside seating for 700+ and additional seating on the grass area which will bring total capacity to 2,000 people. The open air stage will be positioned lake side, as to make the lake the back drop for performances with sloped seating. Kent County Parks and Recreation was also exploring the option to build a similar facility and made the decision to partner with the Del-Mar-Va Council to share the new amphitheater for local performances. The facility will be host to outdoor performances, church groups and community organizations. 

“We chose Delmarva Veteran Builders because of Chris’s reputation as a builder and a scout,” said Ray Teat, director of support services, Del-Mar-Va Council, Boy Scouts of America. “Chris understands the importance and significance of this project and I am sure will not settle for anything but the best because of his support to the organization and community it serves.” 

Delmarva Veteran Builders has scheduled project completion for spring, 2016. For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Completes Renovation of Cambridge Your Doc’s In

SALISBURY, MD – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced completing the renovation of Your Doc’s In, at 300 Sunburst Highway in Cambridge, Maryland. The project included interior and exterior renovations of the entire building which covers approximately 3,200 square feet of medical office space. 

“We are excited to bring something new to a community that does not currently have a walk-in emergency clinic,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “Projects like this allow us to provide a comfortable, functional space for the professionals caring for patients within that community.” 

“Delmarva Veteran Builders has a team of dedicated individuals that completed the project weeks ahead of
schedule. The quality of their work and their professionalism exceeded my expectations,” said Geoff Failla, CEO, for Your Doc’s In. “They were willing to accommodate any changes we made and recommended others that saved us money. I couldn’t ask for anything more in a contractor and would not hesitate to use them again or recommend them to anyone else.” 

Chris Eccleston of Delmarva Veteran Builders Named Entrepreneur of the Year

SALISBURY, Md. – November 6, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced president Chris Eccleston has been named Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year by Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE). Chris received the $2,000 cash award at MCE’s Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 5th at Salisbury University. 

“It is a humbling experience to be recognized by your peers and other business pioneers in the community,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “I accepted this honor on behalf of the entire DVB team because I truly believe that the growth and success of our business is due to the quality workforce that I have the privilege to pull from - our United States Armed Forces Veterans.” 

The runners up included Lisa M. Brooks, Pharmacist and owner of Clayton’s Pharmacy in Cambridge and Walter Moore, president and CEO of APPI Energy in Salisbury. All three top finalists were selected by a panel of judges made up of local business and civic leaders. Fourteen other entrepreneurs were nominated. 

Three years ago Chris Eccleston launched Delmarva Veteran Builders with a mission to develop a company with a veteran workforce. Being familiar with the level of training and work ethic veterans’ experience, it was his goal to provide them with a career in construction once they return from their service to the country. Delmarva Veteran Builders has maintained a 65% veteran workforce throughout its growth. 

Eccleston also gives back to his community by serving on multiple Boards including the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of License Commissioners, the Workforce Investment Board, and Lower Shore Enterprises. He serves in the 

Sunrise Rotary Club, on the Winter Wonderland of Lights Committee, and formerly served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity and the Lions Club. 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Welcomes New Assistant Project Manager, Daniel Mills to the Team

Daniel Mills

SALISBURY, Md. – October 26, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced the addition of Daniel Mills to the DVB team. 

“Daniel is a driven, hardworking addition to the DVB staff,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “He brings with him a background in construction management, a degree in security management and ten years of service in the United States Airforce. His skills and talents are an asset to the company and our mission.” 

Daniel served nine (of ten) years active duty in the United States Air Force as an In-Flight Refueler. He deployed to Qatar in March, 2015 for four months. Prior to joining the Air Force, Daniel worked in the construction business in his home state of Mississippi. He is a graduate of Southwestern College and is currently pursuing a Masters in construction management. 

“I was excited to learn about DVB when we moved to the area from Kansas,” said Daniel 

Mills. “My wife is from the area and we wanted to be near family. When I heard about the opportunity Chris had available it was a great fit especially with my background in construction. I haven’t been here long but I already enjoy the comradery between the entire team.” 

Daniel received the honor of Senior Airman Below the Zone after 18 months of service, a title usually given only after three years of service. After this (ahead of schedule) promotion, Daniel was awarded Airman of the Year
in 2009. He also became NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) of the Year, awarded in 2014. 

Daniel and his wife Kyle live in Salisbury with their two children, Sydney, 6 and Harper 3.