For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Nicole Ducouer

nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

IFB Solutions Names Milliken & Company Partner of the Year

SPARTANBURG, SC (June 15, 2021)—Milliken & Company has been named Partner of the Year by IFB Solutions. In its 15th year, the prestigious award is given to the partner who has stood out as an organization that has gone beyond the board room to support opportunities for people who are blind. Milliken was selected from more than 400 IFB vendors.

“It’s an honor to receive an award of this caliber from a partner like IFB,” said Chad McAllister, executive vice president of Milliken & Company and president of the Textile Division. “IFB has shined a light on how to do business for good, going above and beyond to positively impact their community. We are honored to call them a partner and look forward to continuing to support their mission for years to come,” he adds.

Milliken has been working with IFB, a US-based manufacturer who provides employment to people who are blind or visually impaired, since 2008 as a U.S. military fabric supplier. Since then, the partnership has provided more than 245,000 hours of work for people who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to the business relationship, Milliken has donated more than $30,000 to IFB over the years to support jobs, training, and services for the blind.

“All of us at IFB Solutions are incredibly grateful to the Milliken & Company team for their contributions to our mission. As a non-profit, our mission is to provide opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired in need of training, employment, and services. For more than a decade, our partnership with Milliken has provided countless opportunities for adults and children who are blind all over the country resulting in thousands of lives changed for the better,” said David Horton, president, and CEO of IFB Solutions.

 

About Milliken & Company Textile Division

Drawing on more than 155 years of award-winning research and development, the Textile Division of American-based Milliken & Company offers a diverse portfolio of technical textiles serving a broad range of global markets, including apparel, automotive and transportation, building and infrastructure, hospitality, industrial, military, specialty interiors, and protective workwear. Focused on enhancing the performance, heightening the protection, and advancing the sustainability of fabrics, Milliken manufactures superior solutions and develops leading innovations that add value to everyday life. We are textile innovators focused on game-changing technologies and materials that impact lives and transform industries. Learn more at textiles.milliken.com.

 

About IFB Solutions

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs, and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Ducouer

nducouer@ifbsolutions.org, M 304-685-2393

Winston-Salem, NC (May 25, 2021)—IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S., recently recognized its Employees of the Year, partners and volunteers who play a vital role in the nonprofit’s mission of employment, training, and services.

Diana Soto of Winston-Salem named overall IFB Solutions Employee of the Year. Diana, who is from Puerto Rico, works as a sewing machine operator in IFB’s Winston-Salem manufacturing facility. With IFB since 2018, she volunteers as a translator during company-wide events, teaches English to Spanish-speaking employees, and is a writer for IFB’s company newsletter. During the Covid pandemic, she volunteered at IFB’s Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse to help care for employees’ children when school was closed and no childcare was available, allowing several Spanish-speaking employees to come to work and earn a paycheck.

Jason Denton named IFB Solutions Asheville Employee of the Year. Jason exemplifies “Mission Possible,” an IFB core value—jumping in to help whenever a job comes his way. A sewing machine operator in the Fuel Handler Coverall department, he joined IFB in 2017. Since then, Jason has worked on several production lines, including t-shirts, belts and paper. He focuses on doing quality work and spreads that work ethic among his peers.  Jason has Retinitis Pigmentosa; he has night blindness and has lost peripheral vision but doesn’t let that slow him down. He loves doing improv and stand-up comedy.

Terrail Richardson named IFB Solutions Little Rock Employee of the Year. Terrail joined IFB in 2015 and has worked in every department in the Little Rock facility. He’s earned promotions three times since joining IFB and currently sets collars in t-shirts which is a difficult job for sighted employees let alone for someone who is visually impaired. Terrail’s positive, upbeat attitude makes him the perfect person to participate in IFB’s Buddy Program helping new employees who are blind become familiar with the facility.

Joseph Rehmatullah of Asheville named IFB Solutions Indirect Labor Career Achiever of the Year. Joseph is completely blind and works in the Asheville facility as an Assistive Technology Trainer. He has earned four master’s degrees and previously owned a language and computer center in Pakistan. Starting in IFB’s Contract Cutting department in 2013, Joseph also worked in sewing and Impulse Merchandise. He began teaching computer skills to co-workers, then broadened to teach children across North Carolina who are blind to use technology through IFB’s S.E.E. program.

Shawn Sims of Little Rock named IFB Solutions Delmer Wall Outstanding Service Award. Shawn started at IFB in 2011 as a sleeve machine operator in t-shirts, then was promoted to production assistance and supervisor. She now supervises two departments setting goals focused on quality and process. She is vital to IFB’s Covid-19 safety protocols, assisting in health screenings and helping the medical staff. Shawn, who is sighted, also rallies the team to help fellow employees in need.

Charlie Pine honored with Kathryn Garner Volunteer of the Year award. This award recognizes someone who gives personal time to raise funds, enhance programs and services and raise awareness to support IFB’s mission. Charlie has served on IFB’s Asheville Advisory Council since 2009, including chairing the council from 2011-2014. He also served on the IFB Solutions Board of Directors. In 2010, Charlie played a major role in IFB’s capital campaign, helping raise nearly $1 million to build a Community Low Vision Center at the Asheville facility along with a multi-purpose room, cafeteria and more. He’s a strong advocate for IFB, leading tours, bringing in new Advisory Council members, and introducing customers to the Community Low Vision Center.

Mark Doughton honored as IFB Solutions Commodore Funderburk Visionary Award recipient.  This award is named for the late Commodore Funderburk who was blind, deaf and mute and worked for IFB for 40 years without missing a day. Mark is a long-time member of the IFB Solutions Board of Directors and served as Board Chair. He also was as a member of the IFB Solutions Foundation Board and has played an integral role in IFB’s fundraising efforts including growing community awareness and helping IFB pursue a number of grant opportunities. A dedicated philanthropist, Mark is president of the Stephen Doughton, Jr. Foundation for Leukemia Research (named after his son who is in remission) raising more than $100,000 for research.

 

Milliken and Company named IFB Solutions Partner of the Year. Milliken is a research, design and manufacturing company founded in 1865. The company has partnered with IFB Solutions since 2008 and sponsors the annual IFB Solutions golf tournament, shares business acumen with IFB leadership and provides constant philanthropic support. A long-time advocate for IFB’s mission of jobs, training and services, Milliken has helped secure employment opportunities for people who are blind in N.C. and across the country.

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ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

 

 

 

IFB Solutions One of Two Winston-Salem Companies to Win BBB Ethics Award

Media contact:

Nicole Ducouer

nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

May 18, 2021 – Greensboro, NC – Better Business Bureau (BBB) congratulates two Winston-Salem
businesses for winning a 2021 Torch Awards for Ethics:
– IFB Solutions – Winston-Salem
– Frank Myers Auto Maxx – Winston-Salem

The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBB can present to a business. Being a
recipient indicates the business not only believes in the high standards of honesty, integrity and
transparency promoted by BBB, but also consistently acts on these standards and continuously
integrates them into its daily practices.

“The Torch Awards for Ethics is not a popularity contest. An independent panel of judges reviews
each nominee and evaluates the company’s demonstrated commitment to business practices that
build trust with employees, customers, and vendors in the marketplace. The winners exemplify
TRUST in the community,” said Brad Huffstetler, Executive Director of the BBB Education
Foundation of Central & Northwest NC.

A three-judge panel evaluated the businesses on four criteria to determine which ones best exemplify TRUST in the community. The criteria are:
1. Character: As CEO, President, Owner, or Executive Director your leadership character sets the tone for your entire organization. As a leader, explain how you behave intentionally and
communicate with your leadership team, employees, customers, and stakeholders in a way
that is consistent with your beliefs.
2. Culture: Illustrate how your organization works toward a culture of trust through clarity of
purpose, empowering employees, and opportunities for growth.
3. Customers: Give examples of internal practices your organization uses to build better
customer relationships.
4. Community: Display organizational programs, contribution, and activities that return value
to and support your community.
In choosing IFB Solutions as a 2021 Torch Award winner, one judge wrote, “It was refreshing to
read about the “Contagious Character” IFB Solutions has been able to maintain over the last 85
years. Their meetings begin with the needs and recognition of their staff before any discussion of spreadsheets. They remind themselves of their mission before they speak about money, and they focus on their advocacy efforts before any other item on their agenda. These employees and
community-focused efforts solidified my vote for IFB Solutions.”

Judges picked Frank Myers Auto Maxx as a winner for their commitment to ethics. One judge
wrote, “Frank Myers ethical-conduct class for employees and its step-by-step guidelines for ethical
customer service offers car buyers a hassle-free experience.”

The finalists up this year are:
-Trinity Solutions, Inc. – High Point
-Go-Forth Pest Control – Greensboro
-Global Contact Services – Salisbury
-Brod Disability Law – Greensboro
-Pat’s Body Shop – Winston Salem
-Xterior, LLC – High Point
-Xtern Software – Greensboro
-The Vineyard Camp and Retreat Center, Inc.- Westfield

The two winning businesses can now compete in the International Torch Awards for Ethics.

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 132
million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 4.5 million businesses and Charity Reports on
11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. BBB of Central & Northwest NC serves 19
counties. This office is one of 108 local, independent BBBs across North America