IFB celebrates growth, progress in 2025

Posted on December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 by hayley

“2025 was defined by teamwork, growth and meaningful progress toward our mission of creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. Each of the following 2025 accomplishments reflects what’s possible when we work together with purpose. Wishing you and your families a joyful, healthy and successful New Year.” — Dan Kelly, IFB President and CEO

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National Recognition for Excellence

At the annual National Industries for the Blind Conference, IFB’s Department of Energy Base Supply Center in Washington, D.C., was recognized with an Excellence Award for its team’s outstanding performance.

Record-Breaking Production

IFB’s Clemmons facility mattress team shipped a record 19,500 mattresses to U.S. Navy vessels across the globe — an incredible achievement in quality and productivity.

Workforce Services Impact

IFB celebrated its 2024 Partners of the Year, Maximus and Guidant Global, both of which continue to lead the way in creating employment opportunities through IFB’s Workforce Services division. Thanks to this partnership, the IFB team was able to resolve over 490,000 customer service issues this year.

Partner of the Year

IFB also named its 2025 Partner of the Year, Barnes and Company, which helped IFB deliver over 9 million shop towels to customers around the world — an outstanding example of collaboration and shared success.

E-Commerce Growth

IFB processed more than 174,000 orders through its e-commerce platforms, helping IFB expand access and service worldwide.

Supporting Independence

Through Fiona’s Fund, IFB’s guide dog colleagues were treated to spa days by generous donors like Jessica Abrahams, IFB’s 2025 Commodore Funderburk Visionary Award winner.

Innovation in Military Markets

From basic coffee makers to the latest in water bottle trends, IFB’s military markets team in Asheville launched 69 new products in grocery stores on military bases across the globe.

Commisary — New products launched in 2025

Manufacturing Transition and Job Growth

IFB successfully transitioned from producing fuel handler suits in Puerto Rico to manufacturing IWOL and EWOL jackets, increasing employment opportunities for people who are blind.

Financial Strength for the Future

This year, IFB paid off its debt and began investing in a future focused on sustainable growth and long-term impact.

Honoring Outstanding Team Members

James “Stanley” Mills, IFB Overall Employee of the Year, and David Minton, Career Achiever of the Year, will represent IFB at the National Industries for the Blind Conference as the 2026 award recipients.

David Minton, Career Achiever of the Year

IFB Solutions names Maximus, Guidant Global its 2024 Partner of the Year

Posted on February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 by hayley

Both companies have been integral in creating accessible jobs for people who are blind

Marvin Pearson, Workforce Services — Marvin Pearson, who is blind and deaf, is one of the IFB employees working at Maximus’ San Antonio call center. Pearson said that earning a living alongside his sighted peers “proves to the world that I’m just as capable as anybody else.”

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S., has recognized Maximus and Guidant Global as its 2024 Partner of the Year — citing the companies’ dedication to creating a workplace that supports the needs and experiences of people who are blind.

Headquartered in Winston-Salem, IFB Solutions is a nonprofit that provides employment, training and support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. The company’s Manufacturing division supports nearly 300 employees, many of whom are blind or visually impaired, from its facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, North Carolina, as well as in Puerto Rico. And its Workforce Services division — the department under contract with Maximus and Guidant Global — broadens the organization’s reach and impact by acting as a staffing agency for customer service, data collection, analysis and sales roles across the country.

A leading provider of customer support for government services worldwide, Maximus and its recruiting partner, Guidant Global, joined forces with IFB Solutions in 2022 to integrate employees who are blind or visually impaired into its workforce. Maximus offers work-from-home customer service roles to individuals within proximity of its three Texas call centers. In the three years since, this partnership has created life-changing job opportunities for 30 individuals who are blind — and that number continues to grow.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from our partner, IFB Solutions,” said Michelle Link, chief human resources officer at Maximus. “We value individual differences and strive to provide a work setting and experience where all employees can thrive. We’re thrilled that our partnerships with IFB and Guidant Global have helped us focus on new ways to expand our employee pool. The success of this employment and training program and the employees who have joined Maximus is due to the hard work of many, advancements in technology, and support from our experienced partners.”

Regardless of a person’s experience or skillset, screen-based jobs like these are often inaccessible to those with low or no vision, as not all companies’ internal systems are compatible with assistive devices commonly used by those who are blind or visually impaired. It takes a focused effort to ensure employees who are blind have access to all the same tools and information as their sighted peers, which makes dedicated partnerships with companies like Maximus and Guidant Global all the more impactful.

Kevin Fowler shared his story of becoming visually impaired and starting to work for IFB in Workforce Services — Kevin Fowler works from his home office in San Antonio. IFB’s partnership with companies like Maximus and Guidant Global are crucial to removing barriers to employment, such as transportation, for people who are blind.

“One of the biggest hardships that a blind person faces at work is a lack of accommodations, support and understanding,” said Kevin Fowler, one of the San Antonio-based customer service representatives employed through IFB’s partnership with Maximus. Despite his extensive experience in customer service and IT, Fowler, who is blind, struggled for three years to find work after being laid off from his previous position. He is one of the 70% percent of working-age blind or visually impaired adults who have faced sustained periods of unemployment throughout their lifetimes.

“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to work and to provide for my family — and to work for a company that understands we still do the same job a sighted person can do,” Fowler continued. “At Maximus, if we need help, we have a network of support from people who understand what it’s like to problem-solve while a computer is talking to you in one ear and a customer is talking to you in the other. They have an understanding of not only what we do, but how we do it. It’s been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.”

Also employed at Maximus’s San Antonio call center, Marvin Pearson, who is blind and deaf, said that earning a living alongside his sighted peers “proves to the world that I’m just as capable as anybody else. I’m so happy to hear that Maximus and Guidant Global are being celebrated, because they’ve continued the work of IFB to step in to set up a level playing field. They’ve given us the tools and opportunity to succeed, which is all it really takes. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for our partnership.”

Seferino Castro, Maximus employee — El Paso Call Center Manager Seferino Castro works closely with those employed through the companies’ partnership with IFB. “I’ve been with Maximus for 11 years, and it’s just so exciting to see our core values reflected here — to work for a company that has a heart,” he said.

In the coming weeks and months, the three companies plan to celebrate their valued partnership by welcoming a new group of customer service trainees, all of whom are blind or visually impaired, to the Texas teams.

“People are at the center of everything we do, as our mission is to empower people who are blind,” said Shannon Satterfield, director of professional services at IFB Solutions. “Maximus and Guidant Global have proven themselves as leaders in this area by joining our efforts to provide employment for individuals who deserve an opportunity to succeed. We are so proud to call them our 2024 Partners of the Year.”

By working together, IFB Solutions, Maximus and Guidant Global have not only created meaningful employment opportunities for people who are blind, but they have also provided an example of how businesses can drive lasting change by investing in the workforce.

Asheville area relief resources after Hurricane Helene

Posted on October 4, 2024October 8, 2024 by hayley

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 8 — Asheville area employees, families and friends: We are here for you. Below, we’ve compiled a list of local resources that may be helpful for you in the coming days or weeks as we recover from this catastrophic event. Learn more at ncdps.gov.

For radio updates via Blue Ridge Public Radio, tune to:
Asheville: 88.1
Black Mountain: 107.5
Brevard: 101.5
Bryson City: 94.7
Cullowhee: 89.7
Franklin: 91.3
Hendersonville: 99.3
Highlands: 103.3
Murphy: 88.5
Sylva/Dillsboro: 91.5
Tryon: 101.5
Waynesville-Clyde: 89.7
Waynesville-Hazelwood: 102.9

Grocery stores:
Trader Joe’s: 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville
Ingles (cash): 575 New Leicester Highway, Asheville
Ingles (cash): 863 Brevard Road, Asheville
Walmart: 1636 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Food Lion: 179 Paragon Parkway, Clyde
Ingles: 625 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville
Walmart: 2875 Sugar Hill Road, Marion
Walmart: 177 Forest Gate Drive, Pisgah Forest
Publix: 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville

Food and water distribution:
Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza, Asheville
Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville
Lucy Herring Elementary: 98 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville
Oakley Elementary School: 753 Fairview Road, Asheville
William W. Estes Elementary School: 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary: 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School: 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary School: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
MANNA FoodBank: 570 Brevard Road. Food and water distribution at the farmers market.
BeLoved Asheville: 32 Old Charlotte Highway. Providing water, food, diapers and baby formula.
Carolina Day School: 1345 Hendersonville Road. Water distribution from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
First Baptist Church in Weaverville: 63 North Main St. Free meals start at 1 p.m. and continue while supplies last.
Locations below were compiled Thursday, Oct. 3 and may not still be accurate:
Bears Smokehouse (12 p.m.): 135 Cox Ave., Asheville
Twisted Laurel (12 p.m.): 130 College St., Asheville
Fresh Market (6 p.m.): 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Monte Vista Hotel (food and Wi-Fi): 310 W State St., Black Mountain
Henderson County: Etowah Elementary School, Rugby Middle School, East Henderson High School, North Henderson High School, Mills River Town Hall, and Fletcher Town Hall Water
Lowe’s: 95 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
Home Depot: 795 Fairview Road, Asheville
Home Depot: 127 Acton Circle, Asheville
Publix: 165 Weaver Blvd., Asheville
AB Tech: 340 Victoria Road, Asheville Fresh Market (6 pm): 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Ingles Markets: 550 Highway 9, Black Mountain
Pisgah Brewing Company (2-5 p.m., bring container): 2849 US 70, Black Mountain

Non-potable water (grey water) for flushing toilets:
William W. Estes Elementary: 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary: 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate: 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
Black Mountain Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
Cane Creek Middle: 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
Leicester Elementary: 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester
Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza, Asheville
Asheville Middle: 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville
Lucy Herring Elementary: 98 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville
Oakley Elementary: 753 Fairview Road, Asheville

Showers:
Asheville YMCA: 30 Woodfin St., Asheville, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Corpening Memorial YMCA: 348 Grace Corpening Drive, Marion, 2-6 p.m. daily
Reuter Family YMCA: 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Wi-Fi:
Citizen Vinyl: 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville
DoubleTree Hilton Downtown: 199 Haywood St., Asheville
Asheville Shelter, Ferguson Building: 340 Victoria Road, Asheville
WNC Agricultural Center: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher
Buncombe County Health Department: 40 Coxe Ave., Weaverville

Pharmacies:
CVS: 505 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
CVS: 324 Long Shoals Road, Asheville
Pinnacle Apothecary: 1388 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Candler
PSA Pharmacy: 2294 US Highway 70, Swannanoa
Publix Pharmacy: 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Public Pharmacy: 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville
Walgreens: 841 Merrimon Ave., Asheville
Walgreens: 2501 Hendersonville Road, Arden
Walgreens: 1835 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

IFB Solutions hires Alina Garcia Ravelo to lead Asheville manufacturing facility

Posted on August 16, 2024August 28, 2024 by hayley

ASHEVILLE, NC (Aug. 8, 2024) – IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, has hired Alina Garcia Ravelo to oversee its Asheville operations as the nonprofit’s plant manager. The Asheville manufacturing facility, located on Sardis Road, is one of three manufacturing facilities operated by IFB Solutions, a nonprofit headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C.

In her new role, Ravelo will lead IFB’s Asheville manufacturing team and oversee all facility operations. Ravelo, who is legally blind due to a condition called cone dystrophy, was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. In 2013, after graduating with honors from Technological University José Antonio Echeverría with a degree in industrial engineering, she emigrated to the United States, working as an industrial engineer for Georgia Industry for the Blind by day and earning a master’s degree in engineering from Florida International University at night. In 2019, she was hired at IFB Solutions’ Winston-Salem facility as the location’s production supervisor, but she left one year later due to the challenging hours-long commute from her home in Western North Carolina. Prior to rejoining the IFB team, Ravelo worked at Eaton Corporation in Arden as a senior manufacturing engineer on one of the facility’s product lines.

Ravelo gives a tour of the Asheville manufacturing facility — Ravelo, who joined IFB as plant manager in June 2024, gives a tour of the Asheville manufacturing facility. Legally blind and sensitive to bright lights, Ravelo often wears dark sunglasses indoors.

“I’m excited to be back at IFB, because, at the end of each day, I go home feeling like I made a difference,” Ravelo said. “Being legally blind myself, I feel like my employees can relate to me and I can relate to them. I understand what they are going through, because I’ve been through the same. You have to work twice as hard to reach your goals, so every accomplishment means so much more. Any time I’m able to help someone succeed, it’s a celebration — and it’s the best feeling of my professional life.”

IFB’s Asheville plant employs more than 120 people, about half of whom are blind or visually impaired, to manufacture products such as uniforms, field equipment and office products for the U.S. government and military. The Asheville facility operates product lines that support Military Resale and the Impulse Merchandising Program for the Defense Commissary Agency. Employees who are blind assemble and package more than 400 different products, which are then shipped and sold at military installations and commissaries around the world. Asheville employees also manufacture poncho liners for the U.S. military — affectionately known as the woobie — and also sells military-grade woobies to the public through its online Pinnacle Mercantile store.

In addition to its manufacturing facilities, IFB operates Base Supply Center retail stores in government locations and military bases. IFB also offers a growing number of work-from-home positions for blind or visually impaired individuals across the country.

Ravelo is the first person who is blind to take on the plant manager role at IFB.

“By having me as their plant manager — and by having a president and CEO who is blind, a director of supply chain who is blind, and others — everyone can see that there is no limit to what they can achieve,” Ravelo said. “If you want to do something, you can go for it. We are here to prove that is true.”

Asheville plant manager Alina Garcia Ravelo

IFB Solutions to Hire 60 New Employees and Offer Specialized Training Thanks to City of Winston-Salem ARPA Grant

Posted on August 30, 2023 by hayley

Winston-Salem nonprofit IFB Solutions, the largest U.S. employer of people who are blind, plans to hire 60 new employees in the coming months. The majority of the new positions will be part of a textile manufacturing line producing cold weather gear and other specialty garments for the U.S. military. Like other IFB operations, the new manufacturing line will include positions for people who are blind as well as those who are sighted.

Mayor Allen Joines at IFB Solutions' Winston-Salem manufacturing facility. — Mayor Allen Joines tours IFB Solutions’ Winston-Salem manufacturing facility, which is set to expand production this fiscal year.

Because of the highly technical nature of the line’s sewing operations, IFB is expanding its textile training team and offering specialized training for employees. Funding for the enhanced training program was made possible by an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant from the City of Winston-Salem.

“When you provide training to an employee who has just secured his or her first job, you are setting them on a path to independence not just at work, but in life,” said Dan Kelly, IFB Solutions CEO. “For 38 percent of our employees who are blind, IFB Solutions is their very first job so it’s incumbent on us to give them the training and support they need to be successful. We’re incredibly grateful to the City of Winston-Salem for awarding us this critical grant to expand our employee training as we grow our organization.”

IFB’s mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for people who are blind through employment, training and services. Every IFB employee receives “wrap-around” services including job training, on-site medical care, transportation to and from work, a subsidized on-site canteen serving breakfast and lunch, and access to low-vision services at the Ronald G. Sherrill Community Low Vision Center on the IFB campus. Currently, IFB employs more than 450 people at its Winston-Salem facility.

“Nationally, we know that 70 percent of working-age adults who are blind are not employed, and finding an open position is just one facet of that statistic,” said Kelly. “Having access to reliable transportation to and from work is key as are on-site services like food and medical. We’re fortunate to have a supportive city and donor community whose generosity makes it possible for us to support our employees, blind and sighted, in these ways.”

IFB Solutions has already begun posting open positions on the Career Portal of its website, www.ifbsolutions.com. In addition to manufacturing positions, IFB also offers remote work opportunities and positions with its Base Supply Center division.