Press Release

Richard Holcombe, USDA, Receives "Alley" Career Achievement Award from Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program

March 27, 2002
For immediate release
Contact: Annmarie Hart-Bookbinder
Public Affairs Specialist
Phone: (703) 603-0174
Fax: (703) 603-0655
E-mail: abookbinder@jwod.gov

Arlington, VA-Richard Holcombe, Procurement Analyst, U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Procurement Policy Division, has been selected by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program to receive the prestigious E. R. "Dick" Alley Career Achievement Award. Established in 1998 by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Federal agency that administers the JWOD Program, the Alley Award recognizes an individual for extraordinary achievement and consistent effort in utilizing the Federal procurement system to create employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities under the JWOD Program. The Alley Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Committee.

Mr. Holcombe has actively worked with the JWOD Program as USDA's JWOD Liaison since 1995. Over the past seven years, Mr. Holcombe has helped USDA become the Program's most rapidly growing customer, with USDA JWOD contract dollars increasing from $2 million in FY 1994 to $40 million in FY 2001. He facilitated the JWOD Program's participation in several innovative Federal contracting programs, such as the packaging and provision of items like vegetable oil and non-fat dry milk for national and international food programs, and the establishment of the first JWOD central facilities management contract at the USDA complex in Beltsville, Md. As a result of Mr. Holcombe's creativity and personal commitment to the JWOD Program, hundreds of jobs have been created for people with severe disabilities.

Mr. Holcombe also provides invaluable assistance to JWOD staff by identifying contracting, training and exhibiting opportunities, providing feedback on marketing and educational efforts, and encouraging JWOD support throughout USDA. Mr. Holcombe has been a true champion of the JWOD Program.

The Alley Award was founded in honor and recognition of the late E. Richard "Dick" Alley, who provided more than 25 years of dedicated service to the JWOD Program as the Deputy Executive Director of the Committee staff. It will be presented to Mr. Holcombe at upcoming Annual Training Conferences of NISH (in May in Orlando, FL) and National Industries for the Blind (NIB) (in November in Greensboro, NC).