The IFB Beat 11-10 Edition

A Message from the Editor

As we move into the season of gratitude, there’s so much to celebrate at IFB Solutions! This week’s Beat is packed with important updates and well-deserved recognition. We’re excited to announce big changes to your benefits, including a new calendar-year plan, the introduction of ICHRA medical coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match starting in 2026—all more ways IFB continues to invest in you.

November also marks the kickoff of our Annual Staff Giving Campaign, a meaningful tradition that empowers employees to give back and support programs that transform lives. And as we honor those who have served, we invite everyone to join our Veterans Day celebration on November 11 in Winston-Salem.

From benefit improvements to acts of gratitude and service, each of these moments reflects who we are—mission-driven, community-minded, and thankful for every member of our IFB family.

Quote of the week:

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” —Steve Jobs

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

– Christmas Bonus Announcement
– Winston-Salem Facility Veterans Day Details
– Asheville and Winston-Salem Thanksgiving Lunch Details
– IFB Annual Staff Giving Campaign
– Halloween Recap
– Employee Spotlight: Featuring Elizabeth Parker, Asheville Facility
– Winston-Salem Facility Support Groups

From Our Community

– Shop Rainbow Tarts!
– Check Out the Latest Tunes from IFB Solutions’ Oryan Battis

HR and Opportunities

– Big Changes to Benefits and Resources
– Job Opportunities

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

 

Christmas Bonus Announcement

To our dedicated IFB employees, we thank you for all your hard work this year! As a gesture of our appreciation, a Christmas bonus of $100 has been approved by our executive team. This bonus will be provided to all hourly, hourly administrative, salaried and temporary employees. To qualify, employees must be hired and active by November 23, 2025. The bonus will appear as an additional line item on your November 28 regular payroll check. To ensure you receive the full $100 after taxes, the amount will be adjusted to cover FICA taxes. For temporary employees, the bonus will be distributed through your agency, so the timing may vary depending on your agency’s pay schedule.

 

Winston-Salem Facility Veterans Day Details

The Winston-Salem facility will honor veterans on Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. The celebration will be held on the manufacturing floor with words from Dan Kelly, followed by the singing of the national anthem by IFB administrative assistant Charity Hampton. There will be a special performance by the RJ Reynolds High School color guard group, followed by recognition of our veterans. All employees will remain at their workstations.

Supervisors, please be sure to shut down all equipment, fans and other things that contribute to noise on the manufacturing floor promptly at 11 a.m. If your workspace is not close to the central offices (outside Travis Guerra and Edward Sykes’ doors), please move closer to ensure you can hear. Any office administration working in the building, your presence will be appreciated.

Winston-Salem facility veterans who registered their status with HR will be provided lunch in TAD’s Room from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Questions? Connect with Anastasia Powell at apowell@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Asheville and Winston-Salem Thanksgiving Lunch Details

As we enter this season of thanksgiving, we pause to reflect on the many blessings we share—especially the teamwork, kindness, and dedication that make IFB such a special place. We’re grateful for each of you and the positive impact you make every day! To celebrate, we invite you to join us for a Thanksgiving lunch celebration filled with delicious food and fellowship.
🦃 Winston-Salem facility: Thursday, November 20, during your normal lunch time. Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast catered by Canteen Catering—a perfect way to savor the holiday spirit!
🍝 Asheville facility: Wednesday, November 26, during your normal lunch time. We’re adding a fun twist to tradition with lasagna and salad catered by Apollo Flame—a tasty way to give thanks and enjoy time together.

Let’s come together in gratitude and good company to celebrate all we have accomplished this year!

 

IFB Annual Staff Giving Campaign

The annual campaign kicks off on November 12, 2025.

Each year, we invite our employees to take part in something meaningful: an opportunity to give back to the organization that continues to invest in them. At IFB Solutions, we’re proud to offer more than just jobs. We provide pathways to independence, skill development, career growth, and lasting connections.

This mission is supported through services like transportation and medical care, as well as programs like Focus on Literacy, which equips K–12 students with the assistive technology they need to overcome challenges and exceed expectations. We also provide our employees with adaptive equipment and essential training, empowering them to grow and succeed.

On November 13, all Winston-Salem employees are invited to attend an in-person session in the TADS room, and on November 19, all Asheville employees are invited to gather for the general assembly. We will share more about what your gifts support.

For remote folks, all IFB email users will receive two calendar invites—one for December 2 at 10 a.m. and another one for December 3 at 3 p.m., inviting you to attend a Zoom session dedicated to the staff giving campaign. Please accept only one calendar invitation for the session you want to attend. Please decline the other invitation. As always, everyone is invited to participate in staff campaign sessions, but giving is not mandatory.

There will be volunteers in the TADS room during all in-person sessions on November 12 and 13 to assist employees with completing donation forms.

All donors who donate $25 or more will receive a blanket with the IFB logo. We also encourage you to ask your family to participate in the staff giving campaign, and your family member will get an IFB blanket, and you will automatically be entered into the drawing for a chance to win a lovely camp chair and table on December 18.

Supervisors: you will receive a separate email about in-person sessions and help needed with filling out staff campaign donation forms.

If you would like to support today, here’s how you can do that:

  • Fill out and sign a payroll deduction form (supervisors will have forms) before November 12, 2025.
  • Donate with cash or a check.
  • Donate online at https://ifbsolutions.org/donate/

Questions? Contact Naomi Venable at nvenable@ifbsolutions.org. Thank you for your support!

 

Halloween Recap

Several IFB employees wearing Halloween costumes

The Asheville and Winston-Salem facilities had a spooktacular time celebrating Halloween! 🎃 From creepy to clever and laugh-out-loud funny, employees showed off their creativity with some truly fang-tastic costumes. The day was packed with fun—a costume parade and contest, a haunted room full of thrills, and even a “boo party” that kept the spirits high! 👻

 

Employee Spotlight: Featuring Elizabeth Parker, 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 Elizabeth Parker.

Headshot of Elizabeth Parker

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Asheville

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB for 12 years. My dad was doing HVAC work for a man who was blind and worked at IFB. He told me about the organization, and I’ve been here ever since!

Q: Do you have any fun facts or hidden talents you’d like to share?
A: I love creating balloon art and was once an intermediate paramedic with a local fire department.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: Most of my free time is spent doing homework and taking care of our three puppies.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Chicken parmesan

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: The camaraderie and the family-like atmosphere.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you’d give to a friend?
A: “It’s never that serious.” (In other words, don’t stress the little things!)

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

 

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

Shop Rainbow Tarts!

Submitted by Carl Williams, Winston-Salem Facility, Assembly Department

Interested in supporting a blind-owned business? Looking for an easy and affordable way to bring your favorite smells to your home or give as a gift? Look no further. We have wax melts, warmers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and much more. See Carl Williams (Tina Jolly’s department), call 336-970-0650, email info@rainbowtarts.com or visit https://www.rainbowtarts.com. We Braille products upon request at no charge and orders can be shipped anywhere in the USA priority mail. Free shipping for orders $65.00 or more.
Rainbow Tarts—where everything makes scents!

 

Check Out the Latest Tunes from IFB Solutions’ Oryan Battis

Submitted by Oryan Battis, Winston-Salem Facility, T-Shirts Department

Oryan Battis is a talented and innovative artist known for his genre-bending approach to music, blending styles like Afrobeat, pop and R&B to create vibrant and soulful sounds. His artistry is characterized by his ability to craft catchy melodies while exploring diverse musical influences, making his work both fresh and relatable.

His latest release, “Life Goes On”, is an uplifting album that showcases his versatility and commitment to spreading positivity. The project features energetic tracks infused with Afrobeat rhythms, designed to bring joy and dance to listeners worldwide. With “Life Goes On,” Oryan continues to demonstrate his growth as an artist and his passion for creating music that connects and uplifts audiences.

Check out Oryan’s music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Hi0yBZBPM

 

 

HR & Opportunities

Big Changes to Benefits and Resources

Exciting updates are on the horizon as IFB Solutions continues to invest in you—our greatest asset! Here’s what’s coming your way in 2026.

Benefits Plan Year Transition

Did you catch the first announcement? Our benefits plan year is moving to a calendar-year schedule, starting January 1, 2026!

What’s New: Introducing ICHRA Medical Coverage

We’re moving from a traditional group plan to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Here’s what that means for you:

  • You’ll receive a monthly tax-free allowance to choose an individual medical plan that best fits your doctors, network, deductible, and family needs.
  • This approach gives you more flexibility and control over your healthcare coverage.

Other Benefits

  • Guardian Benefits: Dental, vision, accident, critical illness, short-term disability, and voluntary life insurance will automatically roll forward.
  • CBIZ FSA Medical Spending & Dependent Care. You must re-enroll via Paycom if you wish to contribute for 2026.
    • FSA Medical Max: $3,400
    • FSA Dependent Care Max: $5,000

Mandatory Plan Review Information Sessions. Session times by department will be shared by your supervisor.

  • Asheville: November 10
  • Winston-Salem/Clemmons: November 12

Need help?

  • In-Person Individual Enrollment Sessions will be available for employees enrolling in medical coverage or those age 65 and over.
  • Call Center Appointments with The Cason Group will be available during open enrollment for help with medical and ancillary benefits. Call center details will be shared during the information sessions.

Access the 2026 open enrollment form here. Asheville, click here to learn more. Winston-Salem, click here to learn more.

Retirement Plan Announcement

Fantastic news about your retirement! The board of directors has once again approved a 1% company contribution to all W-2 employees’ retirement plans—our way of saying thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Even better news: there’s a new 401(k) plan coming January 2026

We’re transitioning from a profit-sharing plan to a 401(k) with a company match—giving you more control and flexibility over your retirement savings.

Here’s how it works:

  • Contribute pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to your 401(k) (subject to IRS limits).
  • IFB Solutions will match 100% of your voluntary contributions, up to 5%—helping your retirement savings grow faster.

More details coming soon:

  • Informational sessions in December will cover 401(k) plan options, company match details, and tips to maximize your savings.
  • Watch your inbox for dates and registration details—you won’t want to miss it! Let’s make fiscal year 2026 a year of growth, savings, and financial empowerment!

Social Services & Employee Resources Center

As part of our mission to support every employee, we’re building a Social Services and Employee Resources Team—a strategic investment in your well-being.

This new team’s mission is to connect employees to helpful tools, community resources, and federal and state benefits—while helping you build the confidence and skills to navigate these systems independently. At IFB Solutions, we’re mission-driven and people-focused—committed to creating opportunities and investing in resources that help our employees thrive both inside and outside the workplace.

  • Step 1: We’re thrilled to welcome Monica Lattany, our new social worker! Monica is already making a positive impact, meeting employees, and helping lay the groundwork for this important initiative.
  • Step 2: We are in the planning stages of revamping what we’ve known as the Community Low Vision Center area to better serve and accommodate IFB Solutions employees, creating a more supportive and accessible space for everyone.

 

Job Opportunities

Sewing Machine Operator IV, Asheville facility

Education and Work Experience

  • Prior experience performing difficult sewing functions using an industrial sewing machine.
  • Consistently meet production and quality standards of a Level III operator.

External candidates may apply at: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=182190&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=182191&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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