Manchester, NH—Barbara Cunningham, VP Residential Lending at St. Mary’s Bank, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization. The recognition is granted to employers who show support for members of the National Guard and Reserve. David Follansbee CSM (Ret) presented Cunningham with a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation and a Patriot lapel pin.

Cunningham was nominated by mortgage loan officer Larry George. George, who is presently a Platoon Sergeant First Class, has been enlisted with the New Hampshire National Guard for 28 years. For the past 12 years, he has worked for Cunningham as part of St. Mary’s Bank’s residential mortgage lending team. George nominated Cunningham for the award because “She has supported me during my tenure as her employee as I fulfill my obligations with the National Guard. Over the past few years the New Hampshire National Guard has been called upon numerous times for support during flooding in our state. I have been activated to assist in the flooding in Goffstown & Keene areas and had only limited time to notify Barbara of my activation. She was always able to make arrangements to cover my business while I was out.”

David Follansbee stated, “Almost one-half of the U.S. military is comprised of the National Guard and Reserve. The Department of Defense shares these citizen warriors with their civilian employers, many of whom provide significant support to their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. This award is presented to Barbara for demonstrating an exemplary level of support.” {Source: http://www.freedomaward.mil/}

“I’m very flattered to have received such an award,” remarked Cunningham, “It’s been an honor to support Larry as he serves our state and our country.” Cunningham has over 23 years of mortgage lending experience. She holds a Certified Mortgage Professional (CMP) designation from the Mortgage Bankers and Brokers Association of New Hampshire, and is also a licensed New Hampshire real estate broker. She is an active member of the Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of Realtors©, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors© and the National Association of Realtors©. She also serves on the board for The Way Home, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Workforce Housing Coalition and the CUNA Mutual Mortgage Insurance National Mortgage Insight Panel, as well as other committees. In 2004, she earned “The Good Neighbor Award” from the Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of Realtors© in recognition of her contributions to the community.