Joshua Garner | Forty Under 40 Recipient 2015

Joshua GarnerJoshua Garner

“AvantGuard Monitoring Centers has grown by nearly 100% in the last two years, hiring an additional 120 team members to protect the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Josh leads the company with a strong culture of caring, establishing the AG Cares Foundation, where employees donate a few dollars from every paycheck and encourage fellow team members to anonymously apply for small financial grants. AvantGuard matches the donations, raising a total of $35,000 in 2015 to financially assist 39 team members and their families. Josh calls this effort “one of the highlights of my career!” – Sonja Jorgenson

Forty Under 40 Entry Form:

“Josh Garner is the Founder and CEO of AvantGuard Monitoring Centers and Freeus. Both companies exist to help customers in times of emergency. Team members (we’re asked not to use the word employees) are called “Heroes” and are recognized on a regular basis through the HERO PROGRAM, for offering above and beyond service. Josh has met personally with hundreds of team members to hear their ideas for company improvement and to encourage them in their personal lives.

He has also established the AG CARES Foundation for team members in need, where they can request funds to help with car repairs not covered by insurance, medical expenses, evictions, emergency utility payments, etc. Every team member has the option to contribute a few dollars every paycheck to the foundation, which the company matches. A small group of team members volunteer for a period of time and review all requests. All names of team members serving and recipients remain anonymous. Many, many people have been helped.

In addition, the company does 2 Fun Runs in the fall where two children with medical needs are selected and highlighted in a 5k. Employees pay $10 for the race, and additional amounts if they choose. AvantGuard again matches the amount donated by employees and supplies t-shirts to all runners. Often the child and the family of the child in need is at the event and a check for thousands of dollars is presented.

Josh Garner goes to great effort to model remarkable service and compassion to all the members of the AvantGuard team, especially to the many young men and women who work as operators.” – Sonja Jorgenson

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