RISMEDIA, May 8, 2007—Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S.C. Chu presented Gail Liniger, RE/MAX Co-Founder and vice chair of the Board, with the prestigious “Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award” during a ceremony held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. After receiving the award, Liniger announced that RE/MAX will officially join the America Supports You team, a Department of Defense program that highlights and recognizes citizens’ support for members of the U.S. Armed Services and their families. With the announcement, RE/MAX joined 35 other corporate supporters on the America Supports You team.
The “Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award” was established to recognize non-career Federal employees, private citizens and foreign nationals for their contribution, assistance or support of activities for the U.S. Armed Services.
“Having reliable and secure employment opportunities for members of our military community is one of the most important ways of making military careers attractive,” said Chu. “Programs like Operation RE/MAX play an instrumental role in helping our nation support its military members and their families by helping them meet their education and career goals.”
RE/MAX was chosen to receive the distinguished award for is commitment to service members through several of its unique military support programs. One such program, Operation RE/MAX, was launched in August 2006 to help military spouses, career military retirees and injured soldiers find new career opportunities within the real estate industry. In just one year, thousands of inquiries have been received and hundreds of job placements have been made through Operation RE/MAX. Over 500 military installations and 1,000 RE/MAX offices around the country currently participate in the program.
“RE/MAX recognizes the skills and diversity of members of the military community, and we’re happy to offer them career options that fit their unique lifestyles, which often include frequent relocations,” said Liniger. “We’re proud to welcome these high-quality employees to the RE/MAX family and thank them for their service and dedication to our country.”
Operation RE/MAX matches members of the military community interested in real estate careers with participating RE/MAX offices that have made a commitment to coach, train and mentor the new hires. Military family members learn about Operation RE/MAX through their base or post Career Opportunity Centers and during special military career fairs.
“The achievements and dedication of RE/MAX through Operation RE/MAX and other military support programs are an inspiration to all of us and represent the highest traditions of public service,” said Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. “We are thrilled to have RE/MAX join the America Supports You team, and we are grateful for their commitment to our military men and women and their families.”
In addition to Operation RE/MAX, the company supports military members and their families through the following programs:
The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship, which offers severely wounded veterans assistance with housing, transportation, education, job training and employment.
The World Long Drive Championship, a golf tournament that airs each Christmas Day on ESPN. In a new twist for 2007, active and retired military personnel will be included in the competition to compete for the title of “The Longest Driving Military Golfer on the Planet.” In cooperation with the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, preliminary competitions will be held at 25 military installations.
The “CNN Warrior One” RE/MAX Tour for the Troops generates increased awareness and support for two foundations with missions to support wounded troops: America Supports You homefront organization Fisher House and Sentinels of Freedom. Originally, the Humvee CNN Warrior One was embedded with the U.S. Marines during the invasion of Iraq.
To learn more about America Supports You or to speak to Allison Barber, contact Carrie Sloan at 202-414-0776 or e-mail csloan@susandavis.com. To learn more about RE/MAX, contact Shaun White at 303-886-0660, e-mail shaunwhite@remax.net, or visit www.remax.com.
