The IFB Beat 1-13 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Greetings, Team!

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new section in The IFB Beat: Employee Spotlight! This weekly feature will highlight your amazing coworkers, and who knows—it might be your turn in the spotlight soon!

Here’s what else you’ll find in this edition:

IFB promotion announcement.
The 2025 paid holiday schedule for Winston-Salem, Asheville and Clemmons manufacturing.
The CLVC discount sale has been extended through January!
Exciting job opportunities to share with friends and family—or to explore yourself.
Don’t forget to sign up for your Mammogram Screening on February 4!

Thank you for reading and have a fantastic week!

Anastasia Powell

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

Quick Links:

Introducing IFB Beat Employee Spotlight: Featuring Miracle Brown

Welcome to a new addition to The IFB Beat: Employee Spotlight! This segment celebrates the heart of our organization—our employees. Each week, we’ll shine a light on achievements, work successes, fun facts, and more from the incredible people who make IFB thrive.

This week, we’re featuring Miracle Brown, a Winston-Salem IFB team member since 2009. Miracle joined us through a high school program called Job Sites, where she first discovered IFB and its mission.

Here’s more about Miracle:

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in South Carolina!
Do you have any fun facts or hidden talents?
I love to sing Christian music!
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I love spending time with my 9-month-old baby, Heavenly. In my free time, I enjoy playing on my iPad and practicing my singing. Every second Sunday, I sing at my church.
What’s your all-time favorite food?
Pizza—it’s my favorite!
What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
I love working with my friends, both old and new.
What’s a quote or piece of advice you would give to a friend?
If you find something difficult or hard to do, always keep trying! You will eventually get it in time!

Special thanks to Morgan Dugan, IFB’s Employee Relations Specialist, for supporting these highlights. Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

Promotion Announcement: Melinda Noah

We are excited to announce that Melinda Noah has been promoted to the new position of Director of Quality and Engineering.

Over the past 13 years, Melinda has excelled in leading our Quality Department, including the last four years as Director of Corporate Quality. In her new role, Melinda will oversee quality management and engineering across all IFB Solutions locations. She will ensure we meet customer requirements by providing leadership and expertise in these critical areas.

Additionally, Melinda will manage all manufacturing and development (M&D) initiatives and oversee the training program for manufacturing employees, working closely with Edward Sykes, Senior Manager of Engineering and M&D, who will report directly to her.

Melinda will continue to report to Randy Buckner, VP of Manufacturing Operations.

Please join us in congratulating Melinda on her well-deserved promotion!

Randy Buckner
Vice President of Manufacturing Operations

2025 Paid Holiday Schedules for Winston-Salem, Clemmons, and Asheville Manufacturing

Mark your calendar! IFB Solutions’ 2025 schedule for manufacturing and distribution operations at the Winston-Salem (including Clemmons) and Asheville Facilities is below. For administrative and BSC, please refer to the 2025 holiday scheduled emailed to all admin by Angela Jordan on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. For Workforce Services, please review your contract’s schedule with Shannon Satterfield.

For 10 Hour Employees, the following are paid holidays:

New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 20, 2025
Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2025
Juneteenth Thursday, June 19, 2025
Independence Day Thursday, July 3, 2025
Labor Day Monday, September 1, 2025
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27, 2025
Christmas Day Thursday, December 25, 2025

Please note this important change:

To be paid for the holiday, hourly employees must work their FULL scheduled workday before the holiday and their FULL scheduled workday after the holiday unless on previously approved PTO. As a reminder, employees who schedule PTO for these days need to have enough PTO to cover their full schedule on those days to be eligible for holiday pay. Additionally, you must be employed with the company for 90 days prior to the holiday to be eligible for holiday pay.

2025 HOLIDAY SHUTDOWN SCHEDULES

Please note that all holiday shutdown schedules are subject to change based on business needs.

July 4th Operating Schedule

Textiles Manufacturing will be shut down in observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 3rd. Employees will return to their normal work schedule on Monday, July 7th.
Administrative offices will be shut down in observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 4th. Employees will return to their normal work schedule on Monday, July 7th.

Christmas Shutdown:

Textiles Manufacturing will be closed Monday, December 22nd through Thursday, December 25th. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Monday, December 29th.
Administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, December 25^th. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Friday, December 26th.

New Year shutdown:

Textile manufacturing will be closed Thursday, January 1st, 2026, for New Year’s Day. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Monday, January 5th, 2026.
Administrative offices will be closed Thursday, January 1st, 2026, for New Year’s Day. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

Employees must be sure to coordinate work schedules and any other leave requests with their direct manager or supervisor, with as much notice as possible. Employees are encouraged to manage their vacation time accordingly to avoid unpaid time during shut down periods. Should you have additional questions please contact your direct supervisor.

IFB Programs Updates:

Winston-Salem Facility Support Groups:

If you’re interested in attending a support group, please review the update here: https://ifbsolutions.org/the-ifb-beat-12-16-edition/#two-d

The On the Spectrum Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 16 from 12:00-12:45 in TAD’s Room.

S.E.E. Students Enjoy ‘A Christmas Carol’

S.E.E. Winter Day campers celebrated winter with edible penguins. This adorable snack was made with an Oreo cookie head, white icing eyes, chocolate chip pupils, orange Starburst candy cut into a triangle for the beak, open Oreo cookie for the tummy, top of second cookie broken in half for the wings, and 2 pieces of orange Starburst candy cut into triangles for the feet. Cute and yummy!

Community Low Vision Center Updates

20% Off Sale – Extended Through January!

The Community Low Vision Center at both locations has, by popular demand, extended the 20% OFF everything in stock sale, through the month of January! If you need something, now is the time to get it!

CLVC Item of the Week:

Raised Line Paper for $13.99

Thick and colorful blue raised baselines help guide the user to improved handwriting with both visual and tactile clues. 50 individual sheets per package, no holes.

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

From Our Community

Recognizing National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Submitted by Toni Fraser, Low Vision Services Coordinator

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month—a vital opportunity to raise awareness about this vision-threatening condition. Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States are living with glaucoma. According to the National Eye Institute, this number is expected to increase by 58%, reaching 4.2 million by 2030.

Certain groups are at higher risk, including individuals over 60, those of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent, people with diabetes, and those who are severely nearsighted.

Help spread the word this month by sharing information with friends and family. Together, we can increase awareness and encourage early detection.

Tip of the Week: Take better control of your glaucoma treatment journey. Learn more here: Living with Glaucoma.

HR & Opportunities

WS and Clemmons Annual Mammogram Screenings – February 4, 2025

For more information, reach out to Tammy Whitmire-Powers at twhitmire-powers@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5644.

Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer, and Novant Health Breast Center is making it easy to get your annual mammogram.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the mobile unit will be at the Winston-Salem location. Manufacturing employees please notify your supervisor to submit a ticket requesting an appointment. Admin and salaried employees contact Tammy Whitmire-Powers at twhitmire-powers@ifbsolutions.org or call 336.245-5644 for an appointment.

Spaces are limited.