Peterson Machinery Co., the authorized Caterpillar® dealership for central and southern Oregon, is proud to announce that Michael Tougher, GM of Sales, has received a “Patriotic Employer” award from the National Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Tougher received the award on February 25, 2008, from ESGR representative Colonel Richard McReynolds (retired), in recognition for Tougher’s support of Staff Sergeant Greg Weston, U.S. Army Reserve, when Weston was an employee of the dealership’s Medford store.

“Peterson Machinery is exceptional in the way it supports its Guard and Reserve employees,” says Weston. “Michael Tougher was our storemanager in Medford when I was there, and he made sure that my family was taken care of with all my employee benefits during the times I was stationed out of the area. It brought us tremendous peace of mind and made being away from my wife and new baby much easier.”

“I was so touched that Greg would ask that I be recognized in this way,” says Tougher from the dealership’s Eugene headquarters. “At Peterson Machinery, we’re committed to our employees and their families, and will do everything we can to help our Guard and Reserve members when they need us. I will always appreciate this very special acknowledgement.”

Peterson CEO and owner Duane S. Doyle cites service to the nation as one of the most important values shared throughout the organization. “Service to our country takes priority over the needs of our company and we always want to fully support those who defend our freedom,” says Doyle. “We’re very blessed to be part of this great nation and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who serves in uniform. We’ve seen a lot of conflict throughout our 72 years in business and I’m proud of the role that Peterson has played in supporting our people who have given so much to the country in times of crisis.”

With headquarters in Eugene, Peterson Machinery Co. offers full-service stores in Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Medford, North Bend, and Redmond. The company’s Medford, Redmond, and Springfield locations also feature the Cat Rental Store, renting Caterpillar and other name-brand equipment for the construction, agriculture, landscaping, and forestry industries. Peterson Machinery has been a family-owned Caterpillar dealership for more than 70 years. For more information about Peterson Machinery, call 541-302-9199 or visit www.petersoncat.com.

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