NetApp Receives "Above and Beyond Award" from U.S. Department of Defense

NetApp Receives "Above and Beyond Award" from U.S. Department of Defense NetApp s Flexibility Enabled Employee to Support the War on Terror and Company s Clients Simultaneously

Sunnyvale, Calif.-March 24, 2010-NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) received the Above and Beyond Award from the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, in recognition of its extraordinary support of its employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. NetApp accepted the award at the Annual ESGR Employer Recognition Banquet held on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Sheraton Hotel at Four Seasons in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard conducts an awards program designed to recognize employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force. Employers qualify for recognition when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve. The Above and Beyond Award is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees. It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty performed by their employees. The North Carolina Committee for ESGR typically honors 10% of the years Patriot Award winners with the Above and Beyond Awards. NetApp was granted a Patriot Award in March of 2009.

Senior Master Sergeant Brian Bischoff, technical global advisor, NetApp U.S. Public Sector, and Air Force reservist, nominated NetApp for a Patriot Award, which qualified the company to be considered for the Above and Beyond Award based on the companys outstanding support and flexibility in accommodating Bischoffs work and Reserve schedules. In the fall of 2008, Bischoff was deployed for four months as a flight chief for the 601st Air Operations Center at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, to support the global war on terrorism. Since Tyndall AFB was only 25 minutes from Bischoffs home, he approached NetApp management with the request that he continue to support NetApps clients at the same time he supports our country. Understanding and respecting his strong desire to continue to honor his clients and his country, NetApp management allowed Bischoff the flexibility to perform his NetApp responsibilities in the evening after his daily Air Force shifts during his four-month deployment.

To make this flexible work schedule work for NetApp and its clients, Bischoffs NetApp teammates had to cover urgent issues during the day. Bischoffs NetApp colleagues eagerly volunteered to support him. For their selfless actions, Bischoff nominated them for, and they received, the Team Patriot Award from ESGR in February 2009.

I was very impressed with the dedicated NetApp professionals who were ready, willing, and able to assist a teammate at a moments notice, said Bischoff. NetApps flexibility and support in accommodating my commitment to our country wasnt done out of obligation-it was just something a company with a great culture and values does. I am proud and honored to work at NetApp.

Its a great honor to receive the Above and Beyond Award, said Mark Weber, president and general manager, NetApp U.S. Public Sector. NetApp recognizes the immense sacrifices that our military men and women and their families make every day. To be nominated for this award by one of our employees is testimony to the companys commitment to our team members in uniform.

About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense organization established to promote cooperation and understanding between Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employees. As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within Americas borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil.

About NetApp

NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions that accelerate business breakthroughs and deliver outstanding cost efficiency. Discover NetApps passion for helping companies around the world go further, faster at www.netapp.com.

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LINK:	http://www.netapp.com/us/company/news/press-releases/news-rel-20100324...
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