The honorees—Justin Lotter, Lyndsay Tatro, Bernie Spann, Devon DaSilva, and Kayshawn Joly—were nominated by Hildebrand for ensuring his professional position remained secure throughout his absence. The Patriot Award specifically targets individual supervisors rather than entire corporations, rewarding those who facilitate leaves of absence, flexible scheduling, and family support for citizen warriors.

Christopher Dugre, the Massachusetts Chair of ESGR, noted that such supervisor cooperation is essential for the operational readiness of National Guard and Reserve units. Jon Zilloux, Market Director for the dealership group, described the decision to hold the position open as a simple obligation to those serving the country, framing the award as a reflection of the company’s broader internal culture regarding military service.