CARROLLTON, Texas - FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leader in signs, graphics and visual communications, has been honored with the Pro Patria Award, which is presented annually by each Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) State Committee. The Texas Committee bestowed the organization’s highest honor on FASTSIGNS International at its annual Employer Awards Dinner on April 15 in Austin, Texas.

FASTSIGNS International CEO and President Catherine Monson and Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, accepted the award at the dinner. Also in attendance were Stephen and Cynthia MacKenzie. FASTSIGNS International was nominated for the award by Stephen, a Business Consultant and Air Force Reservist from Indianapolis, Indiana after his recent deployment overseas. As recipient of the Pro Patria Award, FASTSIGNS International demonstrated support to MacKenzie and his family through leadership and by adopting policies that support Guard and Reserve employees.

“It was a tremendous honor to be recognized for the support we provide National Guardsmen and Reservists.  We believe it’s a part of our corporate responsibility to provide assistance to our active duty and veteran employees,” said Monson. “We are so appreciative of Stephen MacKenzie for nominating us and will continue to be committed to providing the same level of support and deep incentives we offer those in the FASTSIGNS family who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military.”

In addition to receiving the Pro Patria Award, FASTSIGNS International is a finalist for the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award (commonly referred to as the “Freedom Award”). The Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members. FASTSIGNS International was named a finalist out of more than 2,420 nominations that were received nationally. Recipients of this award will be announced in late May and a formal ceremony at the Pentagon will follow. FASTSIGNS International is the only finalist located in the state of Texas who is in the running to receive this acknowledgement.

Leaders in the veteran community, FASTSIGNS is proud to report that more than 10 percent of its franchisees are current and former military veterans. “We actively seek veterans as franchisees of FASTSIGNS, because they typically have leadership experience, possess a number of valued skills and management experience essential to successful franchise business ownership,” added Jameson. “Veterans are disciplined, driven, self-motivated and natural leaders, making them perfectly suited for franchising.”

As part of the commitment to veterans, FASTSIGNS International is a proud participant of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program (Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative), which assists military veterans by helping them access franchise opportunities through training, financial assistance and industry support. Veterans that join the FASTSIGNS U.S. network can take advantage of specific incentives including a reduced franchise fee of $22,250, a savings of 50 percent, in addition to reduced royalties and advertising fees for the first year. FASTSIGNS International has also been recognized as a top franchise for military veterans by leading publications, including USA TodayG.I. Jobs magazineand Military Times magazine, due to the recognition for the company’s financial discounts for military veterans, corporate support and outstanding growth.