The company’s Military Connections employee resource network supports and connects active service members and veterans of the military, Guard and Reserve and their families within the company and our surrounding communities. This employee-led group also welcomes those who have not served but support our military — all are welcome.
Andersen was honored to host Major General Shawn Manke, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, for a ceremony honoring our veterans, servicemembers and their families earlier this month. In a show of gratitude, General Manke presented challenge coins to two of our team members in recognition of their service.
Sunny Mehta-Morgado works as a rotational financial analyst at Andersen and serves in the 34th Military Police Company in the Minnesota National Guard.
Nolan Kohlrusch leads as the branch general manager for Renewal by Andersen of Greater Twin Cities. As a veteran commander and helicopter pilot of the Minnesota National Guard, Nolan had the distinct honor of serving under General Manke’s leadership.
Nolan shared a heartfelt reflection: “After my deployment to Afghanistan, I began to ponder beginning a family and transitioning to a civilian career — it was then-Colonel Manke (now General Manke) who supported and helped coach me as I questioned this enormous decision. It gave me the confidence that it was OK to pursue other dreams.”
General Manke thanked Andersen leaders for the ceremony and gathering that recognized employees for their service and bringing their talents to the workplace.
“Nolan is an example of what the next generation of soldiers look like. They have unique skill sets which they sharpen during their time in the military,” General Manke said. It's nice to see a company like Andersen utilizing those skills: They are dependable, disciplined and resilient, often having unique experiences that enhance their ability to work with a wide range of people.”
Andersen is incredibly proud of the work done by our employee volunteers leading the Military Connections employee resource network, and our team members who are veterans or still serve our country today. All together, we are helping to create a lasting impact on the lives of our military community and supporting veterans and their families.
During World War I, under Fred Andersen’s leadership, Andersen suspended normal business operations to produce more than 200,000 window frames for barracks and other military buildings. Employees also manufactured thousands of target frames used in gunnery practice.
By 1918, the plant devoted its entire attention to the war effort, suspending normal business. Fred’s sister, Mary “Molly” Andersen, also created the first American Field Service recreation camp for U.S. military nurses in Europe during the first World War.
During World War II, Andersen redesigned its Narroline® double-hung window to eliminate 97 percent of critical materials for the war effort, aptly naming it the Victory window. Andersen also contributed to the war efforts by producing wooden ammunition boxes. In recognition of these efforts, Andersen earned two prestigious Army-Navy “E” awards, an honor presented to companies whose production facilities achieved "Excellence in Production" ("E") of war equipment.
Posted: November 12, 2024
