The IFB Beat 11-3 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Welcome to this week’s edition of The IFB Beat! As the seasons change, so does our energy—and there’s plenty happening across IFB Solutions. We’re thrilled to welcome Monica Lattany, our new social worker, whose passion for wellness and empowerment will strengthen the support we provide employees every day.

This issue also celebrates our dedicated veterans. Veterans, please be sure to register with HR so we can properly honor your service. November 12 kicks off our annual staff giving campaign, and your participation helps us continue providing life-changing programs like adaptive training for employees who are blind or visually impaired.

Don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy our Employee Spotlight featuring Akiva Snipes and details about the upcoming Gather Without Limits community event.

Stay safe, stay inspired, and thank you for all you do!

Quote of the week:

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” —Simon Sinek

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

– Welcome to Our New Hire
– Time Change Reminder
– Attention Veterans
– Winston-Salem Facility Veterans Day Details
– IFB Annual Staff Giving Campaign
– Employee Spotlight: Featuring Akiva Snipes, Winston-Salem Facility
– JAWS Training Update
– Winston-Salem Facility Support Groups

From Our Community

– Gather Without Limits — Disability Inclusive Community Event
– Walking for Blind Equality

HR and Opportunities

– Job Opportunities

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

 

Welcome to Our New Hire

We are pleased to welcome Monica Lattany to IFB Solutions as our new social worker, reporting to Tammy Whitmire-Powers. In this role, Monica will support employees through our Social Services and Employee Resources Center, helping to ensure that all who are blind or visually impaired have the resources and support needed to thrive at work and beyond. With her background in social work and passion for empowering individuals, Monica brings a caring and holistic approach that aligns perfectly with IFB’s mission. Please join us in giving Monica a warm welcome as she begins this important work!

 

Time Change Reminder

⏰ A friendly reminder: Due to the time change, it will be brighter during your morning commute and darker during your evening commute. For those of you who drive, be extra cautious, as this time of year presents challenges for road safety. If you notice any lighting on campus that needs attention, please notify your supervisor or facilities team members. Lastly, now is a good time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Have a great week and be safe.

 

Attention Veterans

Each year around Veterans Day, IFB Solutions honors individuals who have identified as veterans with our HR department. Please report your veteran status to HR by Thursday, November 6, so that we can recognize your service. If we don’t have you on the list, we can’t honor you. Stop by the office of a member of HR or send an email to HR@ifbsolutions.org.

 

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. 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.

 

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 12 and 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!

 

Employee Spotlight: Featuring Akiva Snipes, Winston-Salem Facility

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight. Each week, we celebrate the incredible individuals who make IFB thrive. This week, we’re excited to feature Janette Akiva Snipes from the ACH pads department.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Tiptonville, Tennessee

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB for eight years. I came to IFB while looking for a job after graduating from college.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I enjoy listening to basketball and football. My favorite teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and Tennessee Titans.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Fried chicken, greens, fried potatoes and pasta salad.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: I enjoy making sure that the work is done correctly and completed on time.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you’d give to a friend?
A: No matter what challenges you face, always trust in God—He will pull you through!

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

 

JAWS Training Update

Congratulations to Krishna Herrera and Mikey Fields, who successfully completed JAWS training on October 23 through the Workforce Development program. Both candidates passed their final exams with excellence, demonstrating strong skills that prepare them for work-from-home employment opportunities.

JAWS (Job Access with Speech) is an essential screen reader software that allows people who are blind or visually impaired to use computers independently by converting on-screen text into speech or Braille output. Mastering this tool is a major step toward job readiness and digital independence.

Please join us in applauding Krishna and Mikey on this exciting achievement and the next step in their career journey!

 

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

Gather Without Limits — Disability Inclusive Community Event

Submitted by Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities (MCPD)

Join Weaving Connections for a casual community meetup on November 7 at Fiddlin’ Fish in Winston-Salem! We’re creating a space to unwind and enjoy great company. Feel free to spread the word and gather your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors for an evening of live music, board games, free pizza and a space for everyone!

Registration is free and helps us ensure we have enough pizza and games for everyone. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gather-without-limits-tickets-1782096732299?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please help us build a stronger network by extending this invitation to anyone in your network who values connection and community. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Walking for Blind Equality

Submitted by Morgan Dugan, IFB Solutions Employee Relations Specialist

In celebration of Blind Equality Achievement Awareness Month, the Forsyth Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) hosted its annual awareness walk on October 18 at Kimberly Park in Winston-Salem. The event brought together community members, advocates, and volunteers to promote greater understanding and inclusion for people who are blind or visually impaired.

This national observance, recognized each October, honors the achievements of blind individuals and reinforces the importance of equal access, opportunity, and independence in all areas of life.

The weather was perfect for the occasion, and many volunteers came out to assist participants along the route, including IFB Solutions Employee Relations Specialist Morgan Dugan and her son, Jeremiah Dugan. Among the walkers was Derrick Graham, an IFB sewing machine operator, who expressed his gratitude for the community’s support in raising awareness.

“It’s inspiring to see so many people walking beside us,” Derrick shared. “Events like this remind us that blindness doesn’t define ability—it strengthens it.”

 

HR & Opportunities

We’re expanding our ways to stay connected. 🎉 Please add your personal email to Paycom to make sure you don’t miss any updates.

Need help creating a personal email or updating Paycom? Contact Morgan Dugan at mdugan@ifbsolutions.org. Hourly employees should ask their supervisor to submit a ticket.

Job Opportunities

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

One tap mobile

+13126266799,86167111929# US (Chicago)

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888 475 4499 US Toll-free

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