Stoltze awarded for service to troops

Hungry Horse News

The F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. was honored last week for its commitment to its employees who also serve in the National Guard and Reserves.

Stoltze has gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping employees in the Guard who are serving or have served overseas.

Last Friday the company was awarded "The Above and Beyond Award," by the Department of Defense.

On hand to give the award were Don Bogut, the Kalispell Chair of the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve and Tina Whitaker of the Helena office.

While the law requires that Guard employees retain job security if they're called up, Stoltze gave bonuses and kept employees on health insurance and other benefits as well.

"They kept on medical coverage and paid premiums … for two months before orders kicked in and (military health coverage) was in place," said Army Capt. Mark Boardman in an e-mail message to the support agency.

Boardman said they also gave him company bonuses and were very supportive of his wife, Kari, who is a family readiness assistant working with the Guard.

Boardman is a forester with Stoltze. The company also helped him retain his certification in that field.

"My re-certification as a professional forester came due recently and (Stoltze) paid for it, showed proof of my continuing education credits and wrote a letter to the Society of American Foresters requesting my time in Iraq be counted as professional development for this year. They could have easily let those details slip through the cracks, but they took care of me and my career even though I have been gone for a year already," Boardman said.

Boardman is currently serving in Kirkuk, Iraq. Two other reservists also benefited from Stoltze's policies as well.

Also receiving an award was Chuck Roady, land resource manager with Stoltze, who was given the "My Boss is a Patriot," Award.

Roady and Boardman are more than just co-workers and he was obviously touched by the gesture.

"This was a big surprise," Roady said.

Stoltze General Manager Ron Buentemeier accepted the "Above and Beyond" award on behalf of the entire plant, noting that many folks don't realize the freedoms they have in the United States and the sacrifices military service people and their families go through the preserve them.

Boardman is expected home this Fall or next spring.

He is serving with the 1st Battalion of the 163rd Infantry Battalion. He is a company commander.

Boardman, 39, has been in the Army for 19 years. He began as an enlisted soldier and then went back to officer reserve training school when he attended college at the University of Montana.

He graduated with a forestry degree from U of M in 1995 and became a forester with Stoltze in 1998.

Stoltze has about 100 employees.

Boardman is originally from Spokane, Wash. His wife is from Columbia Falls.