Hawaii Window Company Keeps Military Employees in the Family

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sara Moore

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2008 – Because it always has been a family-owned and -operated business, it’s no surprise that Coastal Windows, a small Hawaii company, knows how to take care of its employees.

Coastal Windows applies its family philosophy in taking care of all employees, including those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. For its support of employees who serve part-time in the military, Coastal Windows is being awarded the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Coastal Windows has 62 employees, and at present, only one of them serves in the National Guard, said Bob Barrett, Coastal Windows vice president. However, that one employee, Army Sgt. Mike Echiverri, is well taken care of when he’s at home and when he’s deployed.

Echiverri has been on two deployments and is preparing to leave for his third. While he’s gone, Coastal Windows maintains all his benefits, including health, dental, vision and retirement plans. He also continues to earn sick leave and vacation time, and he’s given additional time off to spend with his family before and after each deployment. The company also takes care of Echiverri’s family, Barrett said, including them in company functions and keeping them informed with the company newsletter.

Supporting an employee who serves in the military is something that comes naturally to this small company, Barrett said. “We’re a family-run business, and people who work here are part of the family,” he said. “To us, it’s not just an employee that goes to war, it’s a family member.”

Coastal Windows extends its support of the military to the community. The company participates in the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program each year and has provided a window for a vehicle used by the Army Rangers.

“It’s our way of serving the country,” Barrett said of the company’s efforts. “It’s kind of like serving the country through proxy. We can help support them so they can do their job.”

Having an employee who serves in the military benefits the company in more than one way, Barrett said. Servicemembers are disciplined and work well on a team, which helps with daily tasks, he said, and having Echiverri as part of the team brings all the employees closer together.

“It gives everyone something to cheer for,” Barrett said. “They all know [Echiverri] really well, and they’re happy to see him come back in one piece. It gives us something to bring us together.”

Coastal Windows also employs many people who have spouses or other relatives in the military, Barrett said, and the company is happy to assist them as well. The company is flexible with time off and helps with communication when family members are deployed. “Pretty much whatever they need, we’ll help with,” he said.

Barrett said he is honored that Coastal Windows is receiving the Freedom Award. He said it came as a surprise, however, because no one in the company was looking for recognition when they were supporting Echiverri.

“To us, it’s not something that we really have to work at; it’s just taking care of your family,” Barrett said. “It’s something that comes natural to us.”

Coastal Windows will receive the Freedom Award along with 14 other companies in a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.

[nothingnew]

Major BUMP to Coastal Windows.

Thanks for letting US know SandRat. If I lived in Hawaii all my windows would be from them.

If you have an address (E-Mail or .com)) for them, I'll be more than happy to send them a personal kudos.

FMCDH(BITS)

[SandRat]

I believe this may help.

Coastal Windows, Inc.
94-533 Puahi Street
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797

Tel: 808.676.0529
Fax: 808.676.0823

E-mail Us:
General Info: info@coastalwindows.com
New Sales and Quotes: sales@coastalwindows.com
Customer Service: support@coastalwindows.com

[nothingnew]

I looked'em up and sent the article as posted by you. Thanks again.

FMCDH(BITS)

[nothingnew]

SandRat, thought you would appreciate Bob's immediate reply to me:

Thank you for the kind words. It is a huge honor for us and it is the least we can do for the men and women that ensure our freedom.

Thanks again.

Bob Barrett Vice President Coastal Windows Inc. 808-676-0529 Phone 808-676-0823 Fax 800-588-0529 Neighbor Island http://www.coastalwindows.com

[SandRat]

Now that is a Gentleman.

[american_ranger]

While I was president of Marshall Towne Millwork, I also took care of my employees that were activated and I also took care of employees’ children who were on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. I maintained all benefits to employees and kept paying them the difference between their military base pay and their salary. I also transferred one employee’s wife back to our main plant while he served in Afghanistan. The main plant was closer to their home.

Then we started a support the troops drive. We mailed over 5,000 pounds of personal items to three units in Iraq and Afghanistan in one year.

Then I was fired because the owner of the company realized that he owed me $100,000+ because of how profitable I had made his company. He replaced me with his younger brother.

The younger brother refused to bring back to the payroll the one guy who had finished his time in Afghanistan. He canceled the support the troops drive.

I know that it is against the law to not rehire someone who has been activated but he did it anyway and the returning soldier did not have enough money to sue him.

[SandRat]

Your former employer is lower than swamp scum.

[american_ranger]

Now for the rest of the story.

When I was fired, the company had 110 employees.

Three years later, under the able administration of the new president; they are down to 11 employees and their sales are now down to less that 15% of what I had them up to.

[american_ranger]

Yes he and his brother both are.

Neither served. I was originally hired by their Dad. Unfortunately the Dad died and the oldest son (a wimp who wore designer shoes and clothes) took over.

I knew my days were numbered when that happened.

[SandRat]

From 1969 to 1992 my “Designer Attire” came from Clothing Sales or the PX.

[xrmusn]

I guess American Airlines(??) will be expecting this award as they recently dropped the charge for extra bags for members of the Armed Forces /s

....THAT AIRLINE SHOULD BE BOYCOTTED PERMANENTLY.

[xrmusn]

Sent me basically the same msg within 10 minutes of my ‘congratulating’ him but threw in a “Thank You for your service to our Country”.
Yes, Mr Barrett is a class act.

[PurpleMan]

“returning soldier did not have enough money to sue him.”

Good God. It’s not about whether he has the money to sue.

He shold contact all, in order: (BTW: All stuff available on-line.)

National Guard Bureau
Equal Opportunity & Civil Rights Division
1411 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington VA 22202-3231
800-371-0617

MajGen Michael H. Sumrall & MajGen James W. Graves
Assistants to the Chairman, JCS
for National Guard and Reserve Matters
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999
703-693-6166

Governor: James Doyle, Jr.
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-1212

Rep Tammy Balbwin
1022 Longworth House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2906

Sen Herb Kohl
330 Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5653