Named Statewide Employer by the American Legion

ESA Named Statewide Employer of Veteran’s Awardee by the American Legion, Department of Florida

For 2023, Cantonment, Florida’s ESA South (ESA), a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) has been honored with one of these yearly statewide honors. Because of the commitment to hiring and assisting veterans that the founding partners (and proud Marine Corps Veterans) Malcolm Gibson and Sean P. Harmon have demonstrated—for 2023 their company has earned this recognition.

Chartered by the United States Congress in 1919 as a patriotic services organization to support veterans, service members, and communities—the American Legion stands as one of the nation’s largest and most influential support organizations for the military community. With members and posts worldwide, the organization boasts nearly two million members divided into 55 departments that support posts in every state in the union as well as multiple territories and foreign countries.

Closer to home, The Florida Department of the American Legion, one of the 55 departments of the national charter, boasts over 130,000 members and 300 active posts. Every year the Florida Department selects four statewide awardees for exceptional service to veterans, disabled veterans, older Americans, and for efforts in assisting veterans with finding employment. For the statewide employment of veteran’s award, the awards are broken down into three size classes: large, medium, and small businesses.

ESA, a veteran-owned design-build construction firm founded in 1999, has a nationwide workforce and offices in California, Missouri, Texas, and Florida. Primarily focused on vertical construction, disaster response/recovery, and demolition and abatement of hazardous materials-ESA has worked extensively throughout the country completing dozens of projects totaling more than $100 million dollars for the Veteran’s Administration and the Department of Defense.

The Employer of Veterans award requires a company to show a demonstrated commitment to employing veterans. ESA has met this requirements with nearly a third of all current ESA employees having previously served in the armed forces, and with nearly 40% of new hires this year alone being veterans, this company embodies service and support for those who have served our nation.

Retired Navy Commander Brian K. Harris, PE, ESA’s Director of Contract Compliance will receive the honor on behalf of the company at the June convention of the Florida American Legion. “This company is maintaining its growth momentum by actively hiring and retaining a cadre of proven military veterans and in doing so maintains its cutting-edge competitiveness.” said Harris. “In addition to the company’s active employment of veterans, and its VA project support, ESA enjoys giving back to the community by generously supporting charitable organizations such the Gulf Coast Kid's House, Health and Hope Clinic, Children's Home Society of Florida, Pace Center for Girls, Habitat for Humanity, Wreaths Across America, The American Legion, and the Society of American Military Engineers.” he remarked.