The IFB Beat 3-31 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Hello, everyone! Spring is in full swing, bringing exciting updates, celebrations, and important reminders your way. This week is packed with highlights you won’t want to miss, so be sure to mark your calendars, stay informed, and make the most of every opportunity to connect, sign up, and celebrate together!

Quote of the week:

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” — Ken Blanchard

Thank you for strolling The IFB Beat. See you next week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager
apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– 2025 Award Winners: Meet Lisa Cranfill
– Welcome to our Newest Team Members!
– Dress Code Guidelines Reminders
– Reminder: Winston-Salem Trans-Aid Information Session
– Years of Service Celebration, April 8 at the Winston-Salem Facility
– Employee Spotlight: Alyssa Chegwidden, Winston-Salem Facility
– Programs Update: Braille Classes
– Community Low Vision Center Updates

From Our Community

– Blaize Technologies Presents the Latest AI Updates

HR and Opportunities

– ComPsych® GuidanceResources®
– New Job Announcements

IFB Beat Phone Lines
Support Group Zoom Meeting Links
Archived Editions of The IFB Beat

2025 Award Winners: Meet Lisa Cranfill

These past few editions of The IFB Beat, we have highlighted our 2025 Award Winners. This issue features: Lisa Cranfill – Delmer Wall Outstanding Service Award Recipient.

Each year, we nominate employees who demonstrate excellence in their jobs and live out IFB Solutions’ core values of Commitment to Excellence, Creative Solutions, Business with a Heart, Mission Possible, and Ethical to the Core. These employees represent the great work being done to grow IFB’s mission of creating employment, training, and services for people who are blind.

The Delmer Wall Award is presented to a sighted employee who goes above and beyond their job description to support employees who are blind. This year’s honoree, Lisa Cranfill, exemplifies the spirit of this award.

Lisa has been with IFB for twenty-four years and is known for her incredible work ethic. While she consistently excels in her day-to-day responsibilities, her dedication shone even brighter during the implementation of the new D365 software system for the Base Supply Centers (BSCs). Lisa tirelessly went above and beyond, spending countless hours ensuring that both the Winston-Salem-Asheville teams and store-level employees were supported and well-equipped.

Lisa’s steady commitment to focusing on the end user means she strives for nothing less than excellence. Her efforts have had a significant impact, and she has proven to be an invaluable asset to the organization.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys vacationing with her daughter and spending time with family during dinners and holiday celebrations. She also loves watching football and is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.

We are proud to honor Lisa Cranfill as the 2025 Delmer Wall Award recipient, recognizing her exceptional dedication, hard work, and support for her colleagues.

Welcome to our newest team members!

We’re excited to welcome the following employees as they transition into their permanent roles:

FHS Department (Sewing Machine Operators)
Supervised by Bill Dennis:

• Ana Moreno Garcia
• Maria De Jesus Olascugua Segura
• Minerva Pozo
• Flavia Dominguez

ACS/T-Shirt Department (Utility Operator)
Supervised by William Lindsay:

• Danis Bruzon

Please join us in celebrating their achievements! We look forward to their continued success and contributions to the team.

 

Dress Code Guidelines: Dressing for the Season while Staying Professional

As we welcome the warmer days of spring, it’s important to enjoy the change in weather while adhering to our dress code. Please take a moment to review our guidelines to ensure a respectful and comfortable work environment for all.

Production Environment

✅ Acceptable Attire:

• Pants, sweatpants, shorts, jeans, skirts, dresses
• T-shirts, pullovers, sweatshirts, athletic shirts, button-up shirts
• Work boots, tennis shoes, casual/athletic shoes, dress shoes

❌ Unacceptable Attire:

• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the knee when standing
• Stretch pants, leggings, stirrups
• Tank tops, strapless/halter tops, spaghetti straps, shirtless attire
• Sandals, open-toe or open-heel shoes, shoes with holes or spaces

Office Environment

✅ Acceptable Attire:

• Dress pants, khakis, corduroys, skirts, dresses
• Blouses, sweaters, polo shirts, dress jackets
• Dress shoes (with or without heels), loafers, slides, open-toe shoes, boots, dress sandals, tennis shoes

❌ Unacceptable Attire:

• Jeans, shorts, sweatpants, athletic attire, casual shorts, cotton or nylon sweatpants
• Stretch pants or leggings (unless paired with dresses or long tunics reaching the knee)
• Mini-skirts
• Tank tops, sweatshirts, T-shirts, halter tops, spaghetti straps
• Sheer, ripped, or revealing clothing
• Flip-flops, hiking boots, hiking sandals

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a professional and seasonally appropriate workplace!

 

Reminder: Winston-Salem Facility: Trans-Aid Information Session

To better serve IFB employees, Trans-Aid is planning an on-site information session for both new and existing riders. We are gathering a headcount of those interested to help coordinate the sessions with Trans-Aid and IFB.

Topics will include, but are not limited to:

• New technology updates
• Scheduling procedures
• Subscription services

If you’d like to attend, please sign up with your supervisor. We will share the date and time in a future edition of The IFB Beat. Stay tuned!

 

Years of Service Celebration, April 8 at the Winston-Salem Facility

*Please note: Asheville Years of Service celebration details will be announced soon!

Join us on Tuesday, April 8, as we take a moment to honor our Years of Service recipients for their dedication to IFB Solutions. The celebration will take place on the manufacturing floor at 11:00 AM, recognizing employees who have reached 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 years with the company.

Special remarks will be given by Dan Kelly, our President and CEO, followed by the recognition of our honorees. Each recipient will receive a plaque and IFB swag as a token of appreciation. Employees celebrating 10, 15, 20, and 40 years will also enjoy a special lunch with the executive team in the TADS room following the ceremony.

Please join us in congratulating these remarkable employees for their dedication, hard work, and years of service!

 

Employee Spotlight: Featuring Alyssa Chegwidden

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight! Each week, we celebrate the incredible individuals who make IFB thrive. This week, we’re excited to feature Alyssa Chegwidden at the Winston-Salem Facility.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Tennessee on a horse farm. I’ve lived in North Carolina for nearly 14 years now and really enjoy it here!

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB since 2011. I got the opportunity to join the organization through the Commission for the Blind.

Q: Do you have any fun facts or hidden talents?
A: One fun fact about me is that I love to crochet! It’s a fun and creative hobby.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I really enjoy baking—especially cookies! It’s a great way for me to unwind and share something delicious with friends and family.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day! Biscuits and gravy are my all-time favorite.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: The friendships I’ve made here are what I enjoy most.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you would give to a friend?
A: “Keep the faith and never lose hope!”

Special thanks to Morgan Dugan, Employee Relations Specialist, for supporting these highlights.

Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

 

IFB Programs Update: Braille Classes

Are you interested in learning Braille or know someone who is?

Currently, five students are actively learning Braille every Wednesday in Winston-Salem at the Little Red Schoolhouse. Their studies range from mastering the alphabet to understanding Unified English Braille (UEB) contractions. Progress takes dedication both in and out of class, and each student is putting in their best effort.

Toni Fraser, Low Vision Services Coordinator, is our most advanced student, reading and writing in UEB contracted Braille. She is working hard to memorize over 189 contracted configurations using the basic six Braille dots.

Braille instructor Kim Shoffner understands how vital this skill is and would love to welcome more students into the class. If you’re interested in joining, contact Kim, at kshoffner@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5669.

Community Low Vision Center Updates

CLVC Item of the Week:

Ambutech Graphite Four-Section Folding Cane for $45.00 and up!

Ambutech UltraLite Graphite Canes offer unique composite construction with aluminum ferrules and Fingerguards that protect the elastic cord and ensure a snug joint fit, even after many miles of use. Strong and lightweight, they offer greater flexural strength than aluminum canes.

If you have questions or are interested in any of the weekly items, please contact your local CLVC for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Blaize Technologies Presents the Latest AI Updates

Submitted by David Goldfield, Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist

Curious about what’s happening in AI? Want more than just another news video? Join me LIVE every Friday at 5 PM as we break down the biggest AI news of the week—with a spotlight on accessibility and why it matters. It’s your chance to learn, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.

Set a reminder, bring your thoughts, and let’s talk AI together.

Join The Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR85Kyborqk

 

HR & Opportunities

Reminder: ComPsych® GuidanceResources®

Life can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. It doesn’t have to. Your ComPsych® GuidanceResources® program provides confidential counseling, expert guidance and valuable resources to help you handle any of life’s challenges, big or small.

24/7 Live Assistance (855) 239.0743
Group Name – Industries for the Blind (DBA: IFB Solutions)
Group Number – 00056230

ComPsych Overview One Pager (3 Session Plan)

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Customer Service Representative – Maximus (San Antonio, TX)

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 2 years of customer service experience preferred.
• If applicable, demonstrated proficiency in use of Assistive Technology required with either JAWS and/or Zoom Text for visual adaptation.
• Bilingual Spanish-English capability a plus.
• Must reside within 70 miles of San Antonio, Texas.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=128239&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=128240&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Presser/Tester – Winston-Salem Facility

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=128250&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

 

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

IFB Beat Phone Lines

English line: 336-245-5691

Spanish line: 336-245-5663

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/86167111929?pwd=G9vSBWcnTFrMHixqb19TpU7q8sQW1N.1

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929

Passcode: 992614

One tap mobile

+13126266799,86167111929# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,86167111929# US (New York)

888 475 4499 US Toll-free

877 853 5257 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929