Vienna, VA – Dec. 18, 2012 – NISH--Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Significant Disabilities, announced today that one of its member nonprofit agencies has received a $120 million five-year contract to consolidate units of the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) which supports all Defense Human Resources Systems. The contract will be serviced through InspiriTec, Inc. under the Federal AbilityOne® Program and over the next several years will create around 240 jobs at Fort Knox, KY, for wounded warriors and people with significant disabilities.

The DMDC supports active duty, Reserve, Guard and retired military members and their families, as well as civilian contractors who work at the Department of Defense (DOD). The call center serves to verify military benefits as well as providing identity management for the DOD. Originally, this contract was serviced by three call centers in different locations. This consolidation will not only save money by eliminating overlaps, but will also increase customer satisfaction by having a “one stop” approach to customer service.

“This contract award is an affirmation of the potential of people with disabilities to perform at a high level when given the opportunity and support to succeed,” said John Connolly, president & CEO of InspiriTec. “We are especially pleased to be working with the disabled veterans and wounded warriors’ community as we look to staff several contact centers and help desk analyst positions.”

Currently, InspiriTec manages a Human Resources Contact Center for the U.S. Army at Fort Knox where all employees are wounded warriors or people with significant disabilities. Given that AbilityOne’s turnover rate is one-third that of commercial sector service providers, this contract is projected to provide higher quality and productivity rates for our service members. Moreover, this contract provides wounded warriors an opportunity to continue to contribute to their military community.

“Working in this military environment allows me to utilize my military skills and experiences. This job gives me a real sense of accomplishment and provides me a chance to take care of others again like I did in the Army,” said Jeff, a customer service representative at InspiriTec in Fort Knox. “I hope other vets with disabilities will hear my story and see what’s possible.”

DOD Human Resources Activity created the DMDC in 2009 to consolidate the three separate contact centers: the Personnel Security Assurance Help Desk, the DMDC Support Center and the DMDC Support Office. The goal is to provide a single contact experience for the customer that will eliminate overlap and maximize customer satisfaction.

“The Department of Defense needed a solution. Through the AbilityOne Program in collaboration with InspiriTec we were able to provide one. This contract will not only represent 20% to 30% savings for the DOD, but also a huge increase in productivity,” said Bob Chamberlin, president and CEO of NISH. “Furthermore, together we are all working to achieve our shared mission to ensure that people with disabilities are given the opportunity to achieve upward mobility and professional success, and contribute with their skills not only to the workforce but also to their communities.”

AbilityOne is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities and currently provides employment opportunities to more than 50,000 people nationwide. NISH ( www.nish.org) is one of two national, nonprofit agencies designated by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission™ to support nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program.

New employees at Inspiritec will join the more than 131,000 people with significant disabilities who are already employed through NISH affiliated nonprofit agencies across the country.

WASHINGTON, DC, November 28, 2012 – According to a survey released today by the U.S. AbilityOne CommissionTM, Americans have growing confidence in the work capabilities of people who are blind or have significant disabilities, and they support programs such as the AbilityOne® Program even more strongly than results revealed in a similar study conducted in 2009.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the AbilityOne Program is a public-private partnership through which community-based nonprofit agencies training people who are blind or have a significant disability can develop and deliver products and services for the U.S. government. More than nine out of every 10 Americans believe the Federal Government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

In this year’s study, nearly half of all (48 percent) respondents reported knowing a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker who is blind or has significant disabilities. Survey respondents resoundingly affirmed the importance of across-the-board support for the AbilityOne Program and its mission. The study also reveals a growing awareness of both general and employment-specific challenges and opportunities for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities.

“As we start our year-long 75th anniversary celebration and awareness campaign, we are using this survey to increase the American public’s awareness of the AbilityOne Program. We ask that the private sector join government and nonprofit communities to support the AbilityOne Program and its mission by employing these very capable individuals,” said J. Anthony Poleo, Chairperson, U.S. AbilityOne Commission. “Awareness and education are fundamental precursors to shifting the employment figures for these highly capable yet chronically underemployed individuals in a positive and meaningful way.”

In fact, the unemployment rate for working-age persons who are blind or have a disability is disproportionately high, and fewer than 32 percent participate in the labor force at all, compared to nearly 77 percent of their peers who are not blind or have a disability.
The national survey, conducted in October, polled 1,000 Americans, 18 and older, regarding their attitudes and views on the capabilities of people who are blind or have significant disabilities to create quality products and services.

More specifically, highlights of this year’s survey include:

• Major jump in highest level of comfort with private sector hiring of individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities.
• 64 percent (versus 52 percent in 2009) reported they were very comfortable with business in general, and their company in particular, hiring a person who is blind or has other severe disabilities.
• Significant jump in highest level of confidence in work products of Americans who are blind or have severe disabilities.
• 61 percent (compared to 52 percent in 2009) reported they were very comfortable with the abilities of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities to make quality products for the government and the military. Likewise 62 percent (versus 52 percent in 2009) reported being very comfortable with government purchasing products and services made by people with disabilities.
• Increased acceptance among Americans that people who are blind or have other severe disabilities are capable of producing quality products and services.
• 84 percent (versus 78 percent in 2009) said they were comfortable with the abilities of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities to make quality products and services for the government and military.
• Additionally, nearly nine in 10 people surveyed (87 percent) said they were comfortable with the government purchasing products and services made and sold by people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.
• Across-the-board participation is essential and the degree of support is strengthening. More than nine in 10 affirmed it is important for each of four sectors – individuals, businesses and the private sector, government and the armed forces, and nonprofits/civic organizations/schools/other community groups– to support the AbilityOne Program and its mission. Further, there was a significant increase in the strength of belief that individuals and the private sector should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have severe disabilities:
• 58 percent say it’s very important for individuals to support AbilityOne and its mission, up from 41 percent in 2009.
• 62 percent say it’s very important for businesses and the private sector to support AbilityOne and its mission, up from 56 percent in 2009.
• Growing awareness of challenges, opportunities, and resources for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.
• 50 percent (vs. 37 percent in 2009) reported being knowledgeable of the general challenges and opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities;
• 45 percent (vs. 28 percent in 2009) were knowledgeable of the employment challenges and opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities, and
• 38 percent were knowledgeable of the private sector and the public sector resources available to people who are blind or have other severe disabilities (versus 24 percent and 27 percent, respectively, in 2009).

75th Anniversary Website Launched
As part of AbilityOne’s year-long 75th anniversary celebration and awareness campaign, which began last month, the U.S. AbilityOne Commission™ launched a website www.abilityone.gov/75 where visitors can learn about the history, growth and success of the AbilityOne Program. “Through the site we hope to open even more doors for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities, gain new customers and partners, and inspire others to replicate and help evolve the AbilityOne model,” added Poleo

WASHINGTON, DC, October 23, 2012 – The U.S. AbilityOne Commission^TM today announced the start of a year-long 75th anniversary celebration for the AbilityOne® Program and the enactment of the landmark legislation that created it.

“The AbilityOne Program is a shining example of government at its best – bringing together nonprofits, businesses and government agencies to honor our nation’s most treasured resource,” said J. Anthony “Tony”Poleo, Chairman, AbilityOne Commission and Chief Financial Officer, Defense Logistics Agency. “We felt it fitting to celebrate the 75th anniversary for an entire year and in doing so, tell the amazing AbilityOne story.” In the coming months, the AbilityOne Program will celebrate its long and proud history, sharing the remarkable stories of its employees, and paying tribute to its partners, while educating the country about the model program.

Under the theme “AbilityOne: It Works!” the celebration begins this week with distribution of the annual edition of AbilityOne Magazine. “In addition to chronicling the history of the AbilityOne Program, the publication highlights some of the employees, advocates, partners, products and services that make AbilityOne a resounding success,” said Tina Ballard, Executive Director and CEO of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. Throughout the year, a wide variety of AbilityOne success stories from across the country will be shared, an AbilityOne 75th anniversary microsite will be launched, and special events will be held, culminating in October, 2013 with a reception commemorating the signing of the original founding legislation.

People who have disabilities are the most chronically underemployed segment of working-age Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics — 2011, there are 15 million working-age Americans with disabilities. Many are willing and able to work, yet nearly 70 percent do not have jobs, compared to 23 percent of those with no disability.

The AbilityOne Program can be traced back to 1938, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Wagner-O’Day Act directing the Federal government to purchase products made by individuals who are blind. The act, now known as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, was amended in 1971 to include people with severe disabilities to participate, and called for the provision of services to the federal government.

The AbilityOne Program is a Federal initiative to help people who are blind or have significant disabilities find employment by working within a national network of more than 600 nonprofit agencies that develop and sell products and services to the U.S. government. Today, the Program, administered by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission in partnership with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH – Creating Opportunities for People with Significant Disabilities, is the single largest source of training and employment for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities, employing more than 50,000 Americans, including 3,000 veterans and wounded warriors.

Washington, DC, July 12, 2012 – Today, RADM Mark F. Heinrich, Department of the Navy, and Anil Lewis, Private Citizen, were publicly sworn-in as members of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, which operates as the U.S. AbilityOne CommissionTM (Commission). Both were appointed by President Barack H. Obama.

“Mark and Anil each brings his own experiences to the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, from both the Defense procurement arena and the disability community. We need both of these perspectives to increase employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities,” said Chairperson J. Anthony Poleo.

The Commission administers the AbilityOne® Program under the auspices of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, a public law that requires the Federal Government to purchase certain products and services furnished by nonprofit agencies employing individuals who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The AbilityOne Program is the single largest employment source for Americans with disabilities, providing more than 50,000 job opportunities nationwide in Fiscal Year 2011 alone. At the same time, AbilityOne delivers quality product and service solutions to Federal customers and is an important part of the U.S. military industrial base.

Rear Admiral Mark Heinrich became Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and 46th Chief of Supply Corps in July 2011. Previously, he served as Commander, NAVSUP Global Logistics Support headquartered in San Diego, Calif. His additional flag officer assignments include extensive Joint experience: Director, Logistics Operations and Readiness (J-3/4) for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va; deployed to Kuwait June-December 2008 as Director of the United States Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center at Camp Arifjan, where he applied deployment and distribution expertise to enable the planning and execution of Joint and combined force military operations. His first flag officer assignment was as Commander, Defense Supply Center Richmond, Va., now known as DLA Aviation. The Admiral was commissioned in the Navy Supply Corps following graduation from the Naval Academy in May 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He also holds masters' degrees in Business Administration and Petroleum Management from the University of Kansas. He attended the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Advanced Executive Program. He is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. His personal decorations include two Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and various other awards. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps officer and a Naval Aviation Supply officer. The Admiral is the recipient of the 2011 Osborne A. “Oz” Day AbilityOne Awareness Award.

Anil Lewis was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at age nine. Originally mislabeled as “educably mentally retarded,” Lewis excelled academically and became the first member of his family to attend a four-year college. Lewis became blind from his RP in 1989, while pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems at Georgia State University (GSU). Currently employed as the Director of Strategic Communications for the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland, Lewis is responsible for a variety of public relations, governmental affairs, and strategic programs; and most notably, the NFB’s Blind Driver Challenge™, an innovative research project to develop nonvisual access technology that will make it possible for a blind person to safely and independently operate an automobile. Starting as President of the Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter in 1993, he eventually served as President of the NFB of Georgia for eight years and was elected to the NFB Board of Directors.
He was appointed by the governor as a Board Member and President of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) of Georgia, served as the Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Disability Law and Policy Center (DLPC) of Georgia, and was an independent disability consultant until 2010. Lewis has received numerous awards for his work in the disability community - 1997 GSU Outstanding Alumnus award; 2002 recipient of the Kenneth Jernigan Memorial Scholarship, used to obtain his 2003 GSU Master’s degree in Public Administration with emphasis in policy analysis and program evaluation; 2003 GSU Torch Bearer of Peace Award recipient; 2004 American Bar Association Paul G. Hearn Advocacy Award; and 2006 Leadership DeKalb Alumnus of the Year. Lewis is also a 2008 graduate of the Leadership Georgia program.

RADM Mark F. Heinrich

Anil Lewis

Washington, DC, January 12, 2012 – Today, Carol Lowman, Department of the Army; Jan Frye, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Karen McCulloh, Private Citizen were publicly sworn-in as members of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, which operates as the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (Commission). All three members were appointed by President Barack H. Obama.

"Carol, Jan, and Karen bring a wealth of experience to the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, from both the Federal Government and the disability community," said Chairperson J. Anthony Poleo. "I will draw upon their knowledge to help increase employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities."

The Commission administers the AbilityOne Program® under the auspices of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, a public law that requires the Federal Government to purchase certain products and services furnished by nonprofit agencies employing individuals who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The AbilityOne Program is the single largest employment source for Americans with disabilities, providing more than 50,000 job opportunities nationwide in Fiscal Year 2011 alone. At the same time, the AbilityOne Program delivers quality product and service solutions to Federal customers and is an important part of the U.S. military industrial base.

Dr. Carol E. Lowman is the Executive Director of the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC), a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. She previously served as the Deputy Director for ACC, which is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. As Executive Director, she oversees the Mission and Installation Contracting Command, the Expeditionary Contracting Command, and six major contracting centers. ACC provides global contracting support to warfighters through the full spectrum of military operations. With more than 5,700 military and civilian personnel worldwide, the organization awards and manages more than 240,000 contractual actions valued at an estimated $86 billion per year. Dr. Lowman has also served as the Director and Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting and Chief, Business Systems Division for the Army Contracting Agency Southern Region at Atlanta, GA.

Jan R. Frye is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Frye is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, after serving on active duty for 30 years. During his Army career, he served in senior acquisition command and staff positions in the United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Hungary, and the U.S. He also served as the Chief of Contracting at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Contract Management Association.

Karen J. McCulloh consults as a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with businesses and nonprofit organizations to educate on the inclusion of people with disabilities into the labor force.  She was the founding Executive Director of disabilityworks, a project of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, from 2005 until 2010.  Appointed by the Secretary of Labor to sit on the Job Corps Advisory Committee from 2006 until 2008, she served as Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Disability.  In 2003, she co-founded the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities, served as President from 2003 to 2005, and is now serving as the Immediate Past President.  Ms. McCulloh also served as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago.

Jan Frye, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, is sworn-in by Chairperson Tony Poleo, as a member of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

Carol Lowman, from the Department of the Army, is sworn-in by Chairperson Tony Poleo, as a member of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

Karen McCulloh, a private citizen, is sworn-in by Chairperson Tony Poleo, as a member of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

For more information contact
Stephanie Lesko
slesko@abilityone.gov
703-603-2146

Chairperson Tony Poleo administers the oath of office to William Sisk, GSA

Washington, DC, October 6, 2011 – Today, William (Bill) Sisk, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of General Supplies and Services for the Federal Acquisition Service of the General Services Administration (GSA), was sworn-in as the newest member of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, which operates as the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (Commission).  Sisk was appointed by President Barack H. Obama.

“I welcome Bill Sisk to the Committee, and I am confident that he will do well in his position,” said Chairperson J. Anthony Poleo.  “His knowledge of Federal procurement will be an asset to the AbilityOne Program, and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.”

The Commission administers the AbilityOne Program under the auspices of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, a public law that directs the Federal Government to purchase certain products and services furnished by nonprofit agencies employing individuals who are blind or have other significant disabilities.  The AbilityOne Program is the single largest employment source for Americans with disabilities, providing more than 50,000 job opportunities nationwide in FY2010 alone.  At the same time, the AbilityOne Program delivers quality product and service solutions to Federal customers and is an important part of the U.S. military industrial base.

Sisk has more than 20 years of experience at GSA.  As Assistant Commissioner in the Office of General Supplies and Services for the Federal Acquisition Service, Sisk leads GSA’s acquisition of a wide range of commodities and services used by Federal agencies.  In this position since June 2011, he is responsible for the diverse business line programs of Global Supply Operations, Acquisition Operations and Personal Property Management.  He is also responsible for the FAS Emergency Management function that is focused on solutions to Federal Government’s disaster response capabilities.  Sisk leads an organization of over 1,200 Government employees and contractors with $23 billion in annual business volume.  Prior to his current position, in 2007 Sisk was the Regional Commissioner for the Federal Acquisition Service where he represented GSA’s Assisted Acquisition Services, Fleet Management, Network Services, Personal Property and the Customer Accounts and Research Division. 

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Commission bi-monthly meeting held in New Orleans, LA.

For more information contact
Stephanie Lesko
slesko@abilityone.gov
703-603-2146

Chairperson Poleo, left, shakes hands with Vice Chairperson Kesteloot

Washington, DC, July 14, 2011 – J. Anthony (Tony) Poleo, Chief Financial Officer, Defense Logistics Agency, was elected Chairperson of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee) at its July 2011 meeting. Poleo was appointed to the Committee by President George W. Bush in February 2007, as the Department of Defense representative.

“I am honored to serve as the next Chairperson of the Committee, and look forward to collaborating with newly-elected Vice Chairperson Jim Kesteloot on this worthwhile employment program. Much has been accomplished, but much more progress needs to be made to better serve individuals with disabilities. And, I am confident that the Committee members and our dedicated staff will continue to pursue this important mission with the highest integrity,” said Poleo.

The Committee is responsible for administering the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, a public law that directs the Federal Government to purchase certain products and services furnished by nonprofit agencies employing individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. The AbilityOne Program is the single largest employment source for Americans with disabilities, providing more than 50,000 job opportunities nationwide. At the same time, the AbilityOne Program delivers quality product and service solutions to Federal customers, and is an important part of the U.S. military industrial base.
Poleo currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer, Defense Logistics Agency. The Defense Logistics Agency, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is responsible for providing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other Federal agencies with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services in peace and war. These services include logistics information, materiel management, procurement, warehousing and distribution of spare parts, food, clothing, medical supplies and fuel, reutilization of surplus military materiel and document automation and production. This worldwide mission is performed by approximately 27,000 civilian and military personnel with an annual budget of approximately $42 billion. From 2001 to his selection as CFO, Poleo was the Principal Deputy Comptroller, DLA Directorate of Financial Operations. He holds Defense Financial Management and Government Financial Management certifications; and he has also completed the Program for Senior Executive Fellows at Harvard University and the Leadership for a Democratic Society program at the Federal Executive Institute.

James M. Kesteloot, of Chicago, Ill., was elected Vice Chairperson. He was appointed to the Committee by President Barack H. Obama in September 2010, as a private citizen representative providing insight into the obstacles to employment of persons who are blind. A long-time national advocate for employment of people who are blind, he recently retired as executive director and president of the Chicago Lighthouse after a 40- year career with the 104-year-old agency. Under his leadership, the Lighthouse was transformed into a nationally acclaimed social service organization that’s widely respected as being among the most comprehensive in the nation. He has consulted for many organizations and has served on numerous councils, including appointments by Ill. Governors James R. Thompson and Jim Edgar to the state Blind Services Planning Council, and an appointment by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to his Task Force for the Employment of People with Disabilities.

“As Vice Chairperson, I look forward to working with newly-elected Chairperson Tony Poleo in advancing the Committee’s strategic direction and creating jobs of the future, consistent with my appointment and President Obama’s goal of empowering people with disabilities,” said Kesteloot.

Andrew D. Houghton completed his term as Committee Chairperson from July 2006 - July 2011. Appointed to the Committee by President George W. Bush in March 2003 and reappointed in May 2006, he served as a private citizen representing the interests of nonprofit agency employees with severe disabilities. Houghton was the first private citizen and first person with a significant disability to serve as Chairperson in the Committee’s 70-year history.

For more information contact
Stephanie Lesko
slesko@abilityone.gov
703-603-2146

Left to right: NISH COO Dennis Fields, Committee COO Kimberly Zeich, Honoree Gidget Hopf, Chairperson Andrew D. Houghton, Honoree Rich Gilmartin, and NIB COO Scottie Knott

Washington, DC, July 13, 2011 – The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee) presented its inaugural Chairperson’s Award for Leadership to A. Gidget Hopf of ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, New York, and Richard (Rich) Gilmartin of Lakeview Center, Pensacola, Florida.

“AbilityOne authorized nonprofit CEOs demonstrate exceptional leadership and results; I’ve often recognized how essential they are to the success of this employment program, and now we have an award to officially honor their contributions,” said Chairperson Andrew D. Houghton. “Both Gidget Hopf and Rich Gilmartin embody the spirit and mission of the AbilityOne Program. To me, a leader is someone who does more than simply comply with the basic requirements. Leaders have vision, quality work environment principles, strong business acumen, and national impact.”

The Chairperson’s award was designed to recognize leaders who consistently meet or surpass the Committee’s statutory and regulatory requirements, who fulfill its guiding principles for a Quality Work Environment (QWE), and exhibit business acumen that leads to increased employment opportunities for the AbilityOne constituency. These individuals also demonstrate leadership on behalf of the AbilityOne Program that has impact across the entire AbilityOne community and the nation. Two such awards may be given to AbilityOne nonprofit agency CEOs each year – one nonprofit CEO associated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and one associated with NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Significant Disabilities.

During her 25 years as President and CEO, Gidget Hopf has transformed ABVI-Goodwill into an industry leader of vision rehabilitation services. Through her service on the AbilityOne Enterprise CEO Forum, NIB Board, and National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB), she has been a strong advocate for the AbilityOne Program. She was instrumental in establishing the original celebration for the Program’s enabling legislation, “JWOD Week.” Her work on other constituency boards, such as the General Council of Industries for the Blind and the Board of the American Foundation for the Blind has been extensive. An early adopter of the Committee’s QWE, in fulfilling the Committee’s guiding principles, she ensured ABVI was among the first 10 NIB-associated agencies to complete the self-assessment and roll-out. She continually meets or exceeds the statutory and regulatory employment requirements of the Committee and places emphasis on upward mobility through continual ABVI production goals. Over the past several decades, through her efforts, ABVI has become a model nonprofit agency, establishing a track record as an innovator. Hopf and ABVI were the first leader to develop a co-branding initiative with industry and they set the model for seeking affiliation with other nonprofits, such as Goodwill Industries, International.

Under Rich Gilmartin’s leadership, Lakeview Center (operating as Gulf Coast Enterprises) continually meets or exceeds the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Lakeview Center was one of the QWE initiative early adopters, with Gilmartin one of its main proponents. His expertise was essential while serving on the QWE Steering Group, identifying inclusion practices, and chairing the subgroup on physical and cultural barriers. He also shared his knowledge as a leading member of the CEO Forum on implementing the statutory “Definition of Disability,” and he has actively and positively participated as a speaker at multiple events, including the National Council of Work Centers regional conferences and NISH National Training and Achievement Conferences. Gilmartin is an active participant in the AbilityOne division of ACCSES, which represents more than 80 partner organizations across the country as the voice of disability service providers. With his management expertise and business acumen, Lakeview Center has established a multi-state footprint in several business lines, creating employment for hundreds of individuals with significant disabilities and with widespread acclaim for quality performance.

The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the United States, providing more than 50,000 job opportunities at 600 nonprofit agencies nationwide in FY 2010 alone. The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, an independent Federal agency, with assistance from National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Significant Disabilities. The Committee is comprised of 15 Presidential appointees, with 11 representing Federal agencies, and four serving as private citizens who are knowledgeable about the obstacles to employment of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities.

For more information contact
Stephanie Lesko
slesko@abilityone.gov
703-603-2146