Mark Eilinger, General Manager of the Hop Jack’s Restaurant in Maple Valley, Washington was presented the Patriot Award on November 9th by Larry Kirchner, Military Outreach Director for the Washington state Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, in recognition of his extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the Army Reserve.
Eilinger was nominated by Sergeant Justin Crawford, a member of the Army Reserve’s 909th Human Resource Company in Bothell, WA. In his civilian career, Crawford is an assistant manager at the Hop Jack’s restaurant in Maple Valley. Hop Jack’s has twelve locations in Washington State and one location in Oregon. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units both when called to state support missions and federal active duty.
Sgt Crawford, in the award nomination, expressed his gratitude for the support and accommodation provided by Mr. Eilinger and the management at his workplace. “I am grateful to Mr. Eilinger and Hop Jack’s for their patriotism,” said Crawford. “By supporting me, Mr. Eilinger and Hop Jack’s have allowed me to both maintain my civilian job and serve in our military.”
Hop Jack’s, “A Neighborhood Gathering Place,” was founded in the Pacific Northwest, and is owned by the Eggen family and partners. The first location opened in Bonney Lake, Washington in August of 2009.
Company wide, Hop Jack’s employs over 650 in the state of Washington with plans to add additional stores over the next several years. Hop Jack’s current locations include Spokane at Northpoint, Spokane Valley Mall, Issaquah, Silverdale, Bonney Lake, Lacey, Lakeland Hills, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Kennewick, Smokey Point and Richland, Washington. The most recent Hop Jack’s opened in October of 2016 in Happy Valley, Oregon.
The Maple Valley Hop Jack’s is located at 26420 Maple Valley Black Diamond Rd SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Phone (425) 433-1111
