Veterans United receives Defense Department award for its support of employees in Guard and Reserves
July 31, 2012
1st Lt. Ryan Bell presents Veterans United Home Loans CEO Nate Long with the Patriot Award. The award recognizesVeterans United's commitment to support employee participation in the National Guard and Army Reserves
COLUMBIA, Mo. Veterans United Home Loans received the Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an organization housed in the Department of Defense. The Patriot Award was presented to Veterans United's CEO, Nate Long, by 1st Lt. Ryan Bell of the Missouri Army National Guard, a loan officer assistant with Veterans United. Bell has worked for the company for five years.
Veterans United has employees in 21 states, and is the nation's No. 1 dedicated VA lender.
"In the past five years I've taken part in annual trainings, three-day drills, graduated from Officer Candidate School and was deployed in the summer of 2011 - all with the complete support of Veterans United," Bell said. "I requested and presented this award to the company because it serves veterans and their families throughout the country, and it does everything it can to support the military men and women that it employs."
ESGR was established inside the Department of Defense in 1972 as a cooperation effort between Reserve members and their civilian employers. The Patriot Award recognizes Veterans United's commitment to support employee participation in the National Guard and Army Reserves.
"Our mission is to enhance lives of military veterans and their families every day, and that includes Veterans United employees who have and continue to serve our country," Long said. "It is a real honor that Ryan requested this award for us, frankly it is an honor to have him work here."
In February, Veterans United received the Missouri Flag of Freedom award for its efforts to hire veterans. The award was presented by Gov. Jay Nixon as part of the state's Show-Me Heroes Initiative.
1st Lt. Ryan Bell presents Veterans United Home Loans CEO Nate Long with the Patriot Award. The award recognizes Veterans United's commitment to support employee participation in the National Guard and Army Reserves
Veterans United Facts
- $34 billion
in loans financed in 2022 - Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipient
by the Secretary of Defense - More than 4,300 employees
in more than 36 states
- More than $130 million
raised for nonprofit charitable arm, Veterans United Foundation since Nov. 2011 - No. 8 Best Place to Work
according to Glassdoor Best Places to Work in 2022
Featured In
Chris BirkChris is the nation’s leading expert on VA Loan benefits. He authored The Book on VA Loans in 2011, and maintains the VA Loans Insider blog. His analysis and articles have appeared at a host of sites and publications, including the Washington Post, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, USA Today, the Houston Chronicle and more. Members of the media may request a free copy of The Book on VA Loans to learn more about the VA loan program.
B/W Headshot
Color headshot