Press Release

Marion E. Nelson, Linda C. Little, and Jack London Receive Outstanding Contributions Awards From Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program

June 28, 2004
For immediate release
Contact: Stephanie Lesko
Public Affairs Specialist
Phone: (703) 603-0036
Fax: (703) 603-0655
E-mail: slesko@jwod.gov

Arlington, VA-Marion E. Nelson, Director of Business Operations, Fairchild Air Force Base, WA; Linda C. Little, Contracting Officer, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX; and Jack London, Product Executive - Chemical Suits/Shelters, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, PA, have been selected to receive Outstanding Contributions Awards by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. The Outstanding Contributions Award recognizes Federal employees for their efforts in creating employment opportunities on Federal contracts for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program.

"Ms. Nelson, Ms. Little, and Mr. London are strong proponents of the JWOD Program and most deserving of this award. Through their efforts, they have been able to create stable, meaningful employment for individuals who are blind or severely disabled," said Steve Schwalb, Committee Chairperson.

Ms. Nelson, who has actively supported the JWOD Program for the past fifteen years, is responsible for expanding Fairchild AFB's JWOD work to three major service contracts for the provision of grounds maintenance, postal services, and custodial services. Together, these three contracts employ over 150 people. Ms. Nelson also goes to great lengths to recognize JWOD employees, such as by hosting a JWOD Appreciation Picnic, and by arranging a tour of a KC-135 aircraft during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Ms. Little, who has also actively supported the JWOD Program over the past 15 years, manages the full food service contract at Sheppard AFB, the largest full food service contract in the Air Force. As a result of Ms. Little's advocacy, JWOD-participating nonprofit agencies now operate 23 full food service contracts for the Air Force. Ms. Little also arranges and participates in JWOD training sessions at Sheppard AFB to educate contracting personnel about the benefits of the JWOD Program.

Mr. London has strived to increase support for the JWOD Program at DSCP over the past six years. Mr. London has served as the primary focal point with the JWOD Program for Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), a vital chemical protective item provided to deployed U.S. troops. As a result of his influence, the JSLIST Chemical Protective Suit Program provided 2,000 jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled in fiscal year 2003.

The Outstanding Contributions Awards were presented at the NISH 2004 National Training Conference held May 23-25, 2004, in Hollywood, Florida.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is an independent Federal agency that administers the JWOD Program, which creates employment opportunities for persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. The Committee's primary means of achieving its employment goal is through orchestrating Government purchases of supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing such individuals.

NISH, which serves people with a range of disabilities, is one of the two national, nonprofit organizations designated by the Committee to assist in the implementation of the JWOD Program. Together with National Industries for the Blind, these two agencies assist over 600 community-based nonprofit agencies participate in the JWOD Program.