Press Release

Dennis Dudek, Director, Supplier Operations, Clothing and Textiles, Defense Supply center, Philadelphia (DSCP) Receives E.R. "Dick" Alley Career Achievement Award from Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program

Dennis Dudek, the Director of Supplier Operations Clothing & Textiles at the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), was selected by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program to receive the prestigious 2006 E. R. "Dick" Alley Career Achievement Award.

"For 30 years, Mr. Dudek has been a true advocate of the JWOD Program's employment mission, and he is thoroughly deserving of this honor. His willingness to open new doors of opportunity for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities, coupled with his thorough knowledge of the JWOD Program has allowed him to provide DSCP with the quality products and services it needs while creating quality opportunities for high-wage employment for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities," said Steve Schwalb, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled Chairperson.

Due in large part to Mr. Dudek's efforts, current JWOD/DSCP Clothing and Textiles contracts provide more than 1,000 jobs for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. In 2005 alone, his organization purchased more than $583 million in products and services furnished by JWOD-associated nonprofit agencies. Under Mr. Dudek's direction, DSCP's C&T Directorate has been the largest single Department of Defense JWOD customer since 2001.

An innovative thinker, Mr. Dudek is the driving force behind the Virtual Prime Vendor (VPV) program that enables nonprofit agencies to order, receive, and store recruiting and organizational military clothing items, and then to distribute them to regional U.S. locations. This partnership has led to improved customer distribution channels, dependable quality and customer service, reduced costs, and diversified jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled. The success of the VPV program led to other similar warehousing and distribution arrangements for medals and uniform accoutrements. Additionally, various major military clothing programs such as the Air Force Physical Training Uniform, the Army Improved Physical Fitness Uniform, and the Army Combat Uniform have developed under his guidance.

In addition to providing invaluable support to the JWOD Program by identifying contracting opportunities, providing feedback, and encouraging JWOD support throughout DSCP, the Federal government, and the clothing and textiles industry, Mr. Dudek maintains excellent working relationships with NISH, National Industries for the Blind, and JWOD-associated nonprofit agencies. He often takes staff members with him on JWOD-associated nonprofit agency visits, where he makes a point of thanking the JWOD employees for their hard work and commitment.

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. This award was established in 1998 by the Committee, in honor and recognition of the late E. Richard "Dick" Alley who served as the Committee's Deputy Executive Director for more than a quarter century.

Mr. Dudek was formally presented the award at the NISH National Training Conference in Chicago, IL, on April 30, 2006, and will also be presented the award at the NIB National Training Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, September 24 - 30, 2006.

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The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee) 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.