Press Release

James N. Edwards, Director of Contracting, Ft. Lewis, WA, Receives "Alley" Career Achievement Award from the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) 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--James N. Edwards, Director of Contracting, Fort Lewis, WA, was selected by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program to receive the prestigious E. R. "Dick" Alley Career Achievement Award. This award was established in 1998 by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, 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 Committee's Deputy Executive Director.

"Mr. Edwards is a true advocate of the JWOD Program's employment mission and is thoroughly deserving of this honor. His willingness to open new doors of opportunity for people with severe disabilities, coupled with his thorough knowledge of the JWOD Program has allowed him to provide the Army with the quality services it needs while creating quality opportunities for high-wage employment for people with severe disabilities," said Steve Schwalb, Committee Chairperson.

Mr. Edwards has actively supported the JWOD Program for over twenty years at the Ft. Lewis Army Contracting Agency, first through custodial, grounds maintenance and laundry contracts, and now as an advocate pursuing innovative contracts for the JWOD Program. Ft. Lewis service contracts currently provide employment for more than 400 people with severe disabilities.

Mr. Edwards' hard work on a groundbreaking $17 million Installation Vehicle Maintenance contract illustrated his willingness to create employment opportunities that had not been available to the JWOD Program in the past. This contract, which allows JWOD employees to work within a Department of Labor-approved journeyman training program, currently employs over 230 people with severe disabilities, who earn an average wage of $17.85 per hour.

The Alley Award is intended to recognize individuals who have provided extraordinary achievement and sustained effort in utilizing the Federal procurement system to create employment and training opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities under the JWOD Program. It is the highest honor awarded by the Committee and is presented to no more than one individual a year.

Mr. Edwards was formally presented the award at the NISH National Training Conference in Hollywood, FL, May 23, 2004, and will also be presented the award at the NIB National Training Conference in New Orleans, LA, October 15-17, 2004.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is the independent Federal agency that administers the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, which creates jobs and training opportunities for persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities) are two nonprofit organizations designated by the Committee to help Federal agencies and nonprofit organizations that employ persons with severe disabilities participate in the JWOD Program. The Committee's primary means of achieving its employment goal is through facilitating Government purchases of supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing such individuals.