The IFB Beat 10-13 Edition

A Message from the Editor

As we welcome fall, we’re also celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” reflects what we witness every day at IFB Solutions—ability shining brighter than limitation.

In this week’s issue, meet Alina Ravelo, IFB’s first blind plant manager in Asheville, whose journey embodies determination and opportunity. We’re also welcoming Will Redding and returning team member Kimberlin Ramos—be sure to say hello!

Don’t miss our Employee Spotlight featuring Kevin Carter, and join us in congratulating Marcia Harton on completing her Basic JAWS training—an inspiring milestone in independence and growth.

October fun is in full swing with Halloween celebrations in Asheville and Winston-Salem. From costumes to the Candy Corn Count, let’s make this season festive and full of laughter. And remember to share appreciation through Peer-to-Peer Shoutouts—a small thank you goes a long way.

Thank you for the heart and purpose you bring every day. This month, we’re not just celebrating value and talent—we’re living it.

Quote of the week:

“The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas Edison

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

– 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
– Welcome to Our New Hires
– Peer to Peer Employee Shoutouts
– Asheville and Winston-Salem Facility Halloween Festivities
– Employee Spotlight: Featuring Kevin Carter – Asheville Facility
– Programs Update: JAWS Training Graduate
– Winston-Salem Facility Support Groups

From Our Community

– White Cane Walk
– Adaptive Paddling Events

HR and Opportunities

– Job Opportunities

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

 

 

80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

This October, we join the nation in celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The 2025 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” captures exactly what we experience at IFB Solutions every day.

In the next few issues, you’ll meet remarkable individuals who bring this theme to life. Together, these stories remind us that talent knows no barriers—and that with the right opportunities, people who are blind or visually impaired enrich workplaces, strengthen communities, and lead with impact.

Asheville plant manager Alina Garcia Ravelo

Meet Alina Ravelo, Plant Manager at IFB’s Asheville Facility. At IFB Solutions, our commitment to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind is more than a mission statement—it’s something we live out every day. That dedication is embodied by leaders like Alina. Born with low vision, she is a true example of how perseverance and hard work can open doors. Her journey reflects IFB’s mission to maximize work hours and career opportunities for employees who are blind through innovative roles, such as those in our Military Markets business line.

For Alina, the role is about more than leadership—it’s about paying it forward.

“It means that I am part of something big. This is an opportunity for me to give back. I am legally blind, and ten years ago, someone gave me the opportunity to have a job. Now, as part of the IFB team, I get to do the same.”

Learn more about Alina’s inspiring story by watching her video here.

 

Welcome to Our New Hires

Headshot of Kimberlin Ramos

We’re thrilled to welcome Kimberlin Ramos back to the IFB family! Kimberlin is a sewing machine operator under the supervision of William Lindsay. We couldn’t be more excited to have her on board. Please join us in giving Kimberlin a warm welcome and wishing her success in her new role.

Headshot of William Redding

We are excited to welcome Will Redding as our new Marketing and Design Services Lead. He’ll oversee creative direction and design services across the organization, supporting marketing strategy, strengthening our visual identity, and ensuring our communications reflect IFB’s mission and growth. He’ll report directly to Seth Anderson, Vice President of Channel Sales and Marketing, as part of the Development team. His workstation is outside the recruitment offices.

Will brings extensive experience in graphic design, branding, and marketing leadership, with a career that spans higher education, professional sports, nonprofits, and agency work. He is known for his creativity, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver purpose-driven design.

Please join us in giving Will a warm welcome as he begins his journey with IFB. We look forward to the creativity and leadership he will bring to our marketing and design services team.

 

Peer to Peer Employee Shoutouts

Do you know a coworker who went the extra mile? Did someone help make your day a little easier? Was there a teammate who lent a hand when you needed it the most?

Now is your chance to give them a shoutout! Email shoutout@ifbsolutions.org and let us know who you would like to recognize and why. This is a great way for us all to spotlight those who truly deserve a little extra appreciation. Let’s celebrate each other’s efforts, one shoutout at a time.

How it works:

  • When submitting a shoutout, please include:
    • The employee’s name (first and last if possible)
    • A brief description of what they did and why you appreciate it.

Shoutouts help us:

  • Highlight teamwork, kindness, and dedication across IFB.
  • Recognize employees for their hard work and positive impact.
  • Encourage a culture of appreciation and connection within our team.

Guidelines:

  • Shoutouts should not include:
    • Yourself (as much as we love your confidence 😊)
    • Personal or private details that the employee may not want shared publicly.

Each shoutout is a small way to make a big impact. Taking a moment to recognize a coworker not only shows appreciation but helps us build a stronger, more connected workplace here at IFB. Let’s keep uplifting one another and celebrating the everyday moments that matter!

 

Asheville and Winston-Salem Facility Halloween Festivities

Halloween is right around the corner, and we invite all interested employees to dress up and have a little fun!

Asheville: On Thursday, October 30, Asheville employees are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and tour the “Haunted Room” where ghostly tricks and ghoulish treats will await them. More haunted details to come.

Winston-Salem: On Thursday, October 30, the Winston-Salem facility will have a costume contest and parade at 10 a.m. Treat bags filled with candy will be distributed to all employees.

Categories for the costume contest are:

  • Scariest
  • Most creative
  • Best group
  • Best overall

In addition to the festivities, we’re excited to bring back the Candy Corn Count game. Participants can guess how many candy corns are in a jar located in the break room. You are welcome to touch and feel the jar to help make your estimate. The employee who guesses closest will win the jar of candy corns! For any employees needing support with participation or those who would like to enter the game, an HR representative and/or Claudia will be available to assist.

New this year: Those who participate in the Halloween parade and costume contest are invited to attend “Boo” party in the TADS room. The room will be filled with Halloween treats, not tricks. So, dress up and let’s have fun!

 

Employee Spotlight: Featuring Kevin Carter – Asheville Facility

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight. Each week, we celebrate the incredible individuals who make IFB thrive. This week, we’re excited to feature Kevin Carter.

Headshot of Kevin Carter

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Asheville, N.C.

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB for 13 years. I started as a temp, thinking I’d stay for about three months—but here I am, 13 years later!

Q: Do you have any fun facts or hidden talents to share?
People say I’m a very good driver. One morning, I accidentally missed the driveway at the plant, drove down an embankment, crossed a ditch, swerved around a few trees, and somehow ended up perfectly parked in my spot like nothing happened! That was years ago, but everyone still talks about it.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: If I’m not watching football, I’m trading cryptocurrency.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Chili with pinto beans and cornbread—followed by apple pie for dessert.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: The people. They bring my spirit up. There are so many interesting stories and personalities here—it makes every day enjoyable.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you’d give to a friend?
A: “Never give up, never give up, never, ever give up.”

Special thanks to Denice Drake, Admin Assistant, for supporting these highlights. Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

 

Programs Update: JAWS Training Graduate

Congratulations to Marcia Harton of the ACH Pads department at the Winston-Salem facility. Marcia Harton has successfully completed Basic JAWS (Job Access With Speech) Training as of October 6, 2025, earning a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of her accomplishment. JAWS is an advanced screen reader that enables individuals who are blind or visually impaired to navigate computer systems using speech and Braille output. This certification represents Marcia’s dedication to enhancing her technical skills and advancing her independence in the workplace.

 

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

 

From Our Community

White Cane Walk

Submitted by Grant Weathers, Low Vision Services Manager 

The Buncombe County Association for the Blind will be sponsoring a White Cane Walk at Pack Square Park in Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 1–3 p.m. Come build community with others!

  • Presentation on White Cane Awareness Day
  • Meet certified Orientation & Mobility (O&M) instructors
  • Light refreshments provided

Address: 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, N.C.

Adaptive Paddling Events

Submitted by Winston-Salem MCPD

Dear paddlers,

We are excited to be able to continue with our Adaptive Paddling events on October 18 at 1:30 p.m. The outside temperatures are dropping so this is a great way to either learn about paddling in a controlled environment or to continue building your skills through the cooler months. So whether you have paddled with us before or not, consider this fun opportunity!

Adaptive Paddling Pool events are open to people with all types of disabilities. We will have our adaptive paddling equipment available for those with physical disabilities and our Safety Boaters ready to work with those with any disabilities. Everyone wears a PFD (personal flotation device) so being able to swim is not a requirement. We meet each paddler where they are so we can help them accomplish their own goals at a pace they are comfortable with. We do have some safety criteria that must be met which will be reviewed at the pre-event phone call the week of the event for those who are registered. For more information contact Bev Paddock, Adaptive Paddling Coordinator at 336-509-8710.

Our pool session will be at the Mary Ragsdale YMCA, 900 Bonner Drive, Jamestown, NC. We will be in the pool from 1:30–3:00 p.m.. There are bathrooms with showers if you’d like to change into dry clothes after the event. An email with more information will be sent out to registered participants the week of the event.

Register here by Thursday, October 16 at 12 p.m. This event is offered at the discounted price of $20.

 

HR & Opportunities

Job Opportunities

IRS Order Entry Clerk

Education and Work Experience

  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Must be able to pass a U.S. government background investigation and periodic yearly reviews.
  • Must be compliant with IRS and Selective Service requirements.

External candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=175978&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=175979&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

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

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 Group Zoom

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

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929

Passcode: 992614

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