Sweetwater Construction Corp. Receives “Above and Beyond” Award

Company Is Honored As Patriotic Employer

cranbury, N.J. (July 6, 2009) – Sweetwater Construction Corp. has been recognized as a patriotic employer with an “Above and Beyond" award from the New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization.

The award was presented to Ronald Witt Sr., Sweetwater’s founder and president, by Col. (Ret) Carmen A. Venticinque, state chair of the ESGR’s New Jersey Committee, at a June 17 luncheon at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel, N.J.

Also attending from Sweetwater was Patrick Moore, who nominated Sweetwater for the award. Moore recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, where he served as a first lieutenant in the National Guard. He was deployed with the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey National Guard.

Sweetwater, headquartered in Cranbury, N. J., is a recognized leader in New Jersey construction management and general contracting, serving clients in the corporate, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality, multi-family and institutional sectors.

The ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between reserve component members and civilian employers. The award recognizes employers for policies and practices that are supportive of their employees’ participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Sweetwater,” said Witt. “The support that Sweetwater has offered to Patrick is nothing by comparison with the commitment that Patrick -- and the many other brave men and women who serve in the National Guard -- have made to our country.”

Witt, himself a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and a former Navy carrier pilot, pledged to continue to offer employees the opportunity to serve in the National Guard and to work for Sweetwater upon their return.

In addition to this formal support, Sweetwater employees and subcontractors, led by marketing coordinator Paula Attanasio, contributed almost $4,000 to a 2008 holiday care package for Moore’s unit. The donations included treats, necessities and electronic equipment, as well as a contribution to his company’s Family Readiness Group, which helps soldiers’ families deal with emergencies at home.

Also included in the packages were toys and treats for the military work dogs. Dogs are an important part of the corporate culture at Sweetwater, where employees are encouraged to bring their canine friends to work.

“Our employees and subcontractors pride themselves on teamwork, and their commitment to one another was evident in their generous holiday contributions to Patrick and his unit,” Witt said. “We knew how much it meant to them that we care, and we wanted to do something for them.”

The nation's National Guard and Reserve components comprise approximately 48 percent of the nation’s total available military manpower, according to the ESGR. In this regard, civilian employers play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with employment laws protecting the rights of workers serving in the Reserve.

Moore, who recently arrived home to his family, is expected to return to work at Sweetwater soon in his capacity as Environment, Health and Safety Director, where he ensures that Sweetwater is in compliance with state and federal requirements and works to create a safe environment for jobsite personnel, clients, and Sweetwater employees.

About Sweetwater Construction Corp.
Established in 1974 and headquartered in Cranbury, N. J., Sweetwater Construction is guided by a proven management team and a client-centric business philosophy. Sweetwater provides clients with expert preconstruction and construction services backed by professional commitment and personal accountability. Sweetwater’s project teams possess proven track records in the corporate, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality, multi-family and institutional sectors. Sweetwater’s notable project methodology delivers expertise in budgeting, estimating, constructability, lifecycle reviews, and project control methodology, with all of these coming together to help ensure a successful project. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.sweetwatercorp.com/AboutUs.aspx