Bendix Supervisor Earns Patriot Award Recognition

The U.S. Department of Defense has honored Keith McComsey of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems with the Patriot Award for his unwavering support of military service members. The recognition stems from his role as a supportive leader for Kinjal Mistry, a chief petty officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and product owner at Bendix.

Key Highlights:

Keith McComsey was recognized with the Patriot Award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office.
The award acknowledges individual supervisors who actively support reserve service members through measures like flexible scheduling, time off, and leave of absence.
Kinjal Mistry, who is a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard Reserve, praised McComsey and Bendix for their ongoing support during her military service.
The Bendix Patriots employee resource group supports service members and veterans across the company and their families.

The ESGR office, created in 1972, promotes cooperation between Reserve component service members and their civilian employers, helping to resolve conflicts related to military commitments. The Patriot Award recognizes individual supervisors for their efforts to support service members through actions like flexible schedules and family support.

Mistry, a product owner in the Air Disc Brake Systems Department at Bendix, expressed her appreciation: “I wanted to take a step to express my sincere gratitude to Keith and Bendix for unwavering support of my military duties. A true leader is not just one who guides in the workplace but also one who supports the call of duty, understanding that service to country is just as important as service to company.” She continued, emphasizing the importance of support in balancing her military and professional responsibilities.

Keith McComsey, Director of Air Disc Brake Systems and Products, responded to the honor with humility: “Supporting Kinjal’s service in the reserves was an easy choice because I have the utmost respect for those who serve and sacrifice like she does. I wanted to clear the way so she could do that without feeling uncomfortable, and without any thought that this might be viewed as a burden in the workplace.” McComsey highlighted the significance of having a supportive team environment that helps ensure reserve service members can focus on both their jobs and military duties.

Supporting Service Members at Bendix

Bendix also provides support through its employee resource group, the Bendix Patriots, led by IT Manager Marc Sotak. The group is open to all employees and focuses on supporting service members and veterans within the company, their families, and the community. Activities include organizing Veterans Day recognition breakfasts, volunteering for National Wreaths Across America Day, and hosting guest speakers. McComsey, although not a veteran himself, is an active participant in the Bendix Patriots, showing his commitment to fostering a supportive environment for those in service.

“Things are thankfully a little different now,” Sotak noted, reflecting on the increased awareness and support for employees with military duties. He sees the Patriot Award program as a valuable opportunity for building bridges between veterans, their families, and the community.

Balancing Military Service and Career

Mistry has served in the Coast Guard since 2014 and joined Bendix in 2016. Since becoming part of Bendix, she has faced multiple deployments, including an extended one to support Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Mistry shared that Bendix’s support during these times made it easier to focus on her responsibilities without added stress. “Their understanding, flexibility, and unwavering commitment to my well-being allowed me to focus on my duties without the added stress of workplace concerns,” she explained.

McComsey underscored that Bendix always had Mistry’s back: “Collectively, we knew we’d be supporting her. Not all of us have served, but we all wanted to do our part to help Kinjal so she could focus fully on her role in the military and helping to protect all of us.”

The recognition of McComsey with the Patriot Award not only highlights his leadership but also exemplifies Bendix’s culture of supporting those who serve, both at work and in the armed forces.

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