The IFB Beat 7-14 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Greetings, all! In this edition, we round out our Executive Team spotlight with Vasudha Rangapathy and Seth Anderson — two leaders who bring passion, innovation, and heart to IFB’s mission. Plus, don’t miss exciting updates like the Christmas-in-July bonus, upcoming ISO audit, Winston-Salem ice cream social, and more. Thank you for all you do!

Quote of the week:

“It is what it is, but it will become what you make it.” — Unknown

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

– Meet the Executive Team Behind IFB’s Mission
– Reminder: Christmas-in-July Bonuses!
– Winston-Salem Facility Ice Cream Social: July 16
– Surveillance Audit Coming Soon
– Welcome, New Team Members!
– Employee Spotlight Featuring Mary Cody, Asheville facility
– Programs Update: Western N.C. Braille Challenge and Beyond!
– Community Low Vision Center Updates

From Our Community

– Let’s Celebrate: ADA 35th Anniversary

HR and Opportunities

– 2025–2026 Evidence of Insurability
– Job Opportunities

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

Meet the Executive Team Behind IFB’s Mission

Over several editions of The IFB Beat, we’ve had the pleasure of introducing many of the incredible departments that help make IFB Solutions thrive. Now, we’re turning the spotlight to the team guiding it all from the top.

We’ll be introducing you to the last two members of IFB’s Executive Leadership Team, the people who help shape our mission, drive strategic decisions, and ensure that our organization continues to grow, innovate, and empower. From overseeing operations to building community partnerships, this group plays a vital role in ensuring that our vision — “Our Vision is Working” — remains a reality every single day.

This week we highlight Vasudha Rangapathy, Vice President, IT & eCommerce and Seth Anderson, Senior Director of Marketing and Development. We share their stories, leadership philosophies, and what drives their commitment to IFB and the people we serve. You might even learn a fun fact or two along the way!

Vasudha Rangapathy

Vice President, IT & eCommerce

Vasudha Rangapathy has been with IFB Solutions for 16 years, bringing a deep commitment to innovation, accessibility, and inclusion in her role as Vice President of IT & eCommerce. She first connected with IFB through a recruiter while seeking a position as a Software Engineer and has since grown into a strategic leader guiding the organization’s technology and digital commerce initiatives.

In her role, Vasudha oversees IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, and eCommerce platforms — ensuring all systems align with IFB’s mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She champions accessible technology solutions and leads efforts to enhance the online customer experience, including the optimization of IFB’s Amazon storefronts under Pinnacle Mercantile and BSCSource. Her team includes professionals across IT systems infrastructure, software development, cybersecurity, analytics, and ERP/eCommerce management.

Vasudha holds a master’s degree in computer science and brings a global perspective to her work, having crossed continents to build a life of purpose and impact. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures and cuisines, and spending time with her two children, ages 22 and 16, as well as friends and family.

Her favorite quote reflects her leadership philosophy:

“The technology you use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything.” — Sean Gerety

From heart to hardware, Vasudha leads with vision — building a more inclusive world, one innovation at a time.

Seth Anderson

Senior Director of Marketing and Development

Seth Anderson joined IFB Solutions nearly 12 years ago, recruited by a former colleague who saw his potential to build a marketing and communications function from the ground up. Since then, Seth’s role has grown significantly, along with his passion for the organization’s mission and the people it serves.

As Senior Director of Marketing and Development, Seth leads a broad portfolio that includes Marketing, Communications, Philanthropy, Program management for IFB’s Military Markets and Commodities, Workforce Services, Community Low Vision Centers and Programs. In 2023, he joined the executive leadership team and reports directly to President and CEO Dan Kelly.

Seth’s perspective on marketing and communications is rooted in purpose. For him, the work matters most when it creates real impact in the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. “The dignity of work is part of what makes us human,” he explains. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a job and build a career, regardless of their disability.”

This belief is shaped by personal experience. Seth and his wife have three children, including one with Down syndrome and another on the autism spectrum. While those experiences differ from the challenges of vision loss, they have deepened his appreciation for IFB’s mission and his drive to help create inclusive pathways to employment.

Throughout his time at IFB, Seth has benefited from strong mentorship and the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility. He is especially proud of the teams he has built and the leaders he has helped coach and support along the way. “IFB has challenged me in ways I never could have imagined,” he says. “The growth I’ve experienced here has been life-changing.”

Originally from Greensboro, Seth now lives in Jamestown. His wife is an art teacher, and together they enjoy exploring new places, especially for art, architecture, food, and design. A dedicated thrifter, Seth takes pride in the fact that nearly everything in their home (and his office at IFB!) was found at Goodwill, Habitat ReStore, or the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission.

 

Reminder: Christmas-in-July Bonuses!

We are excited to share that all eligible employees will receive a Christmas-in-July Bonus this year!

Employees who were hired before July 1, 2025, and who are currently active, will receive a $100 bonus. This bonus will be directly deposited into your bank account along with your regular paycheck during the week of July 14.

Please note: For employees working through a temporary agency, timing and distribution methods may vary slightly.

Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to IFB Solutions — we appreciate everything you do!

 

Winston-Salem Facility Ice Cream Social: July 16

Spread the word! The Winston-Salem Facility HR department will be hosting an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, July 16 in the cafeteria. Come socialize with friends and enjoy ice cream during your last break!

 

Surveillance Audit Coming Soon

It’s time for our annual ISO audit, which evaluates IFB Solutions’ adherence to standards. Maintaining ISO certification is a mandatory contractual requirement for all our military textile products.

Bill Tarazewski will be joining us again as our auditor. You may see him along with Melinda Noah, IFB Solutions Director of Quality and Engineering, around the manufacturing floors in Asheville (July 21–22) and Winston-Salem (July 23–24). As part of the audit process, auditors may stop to ask employees how their job contributes to or supports the Quality Policy and supports customer satisfaction.

As a reminder, our quality policy is as follows:

IFB Solutions’ team serves the mission of the organization through delivering on our promises to our stakeholders. We are committed to executing on our strategic plan, satisfying all applicable requirements, and driving continual improvement at all levels.

Your answer should be in your own words, but to put it simply:

• We work hard to be sure what we do is correct every time.
• We work as a team to make Great Quality On Time and within budget.
• We work to be sure what we are making is per the customer requirements.
• We want to always try to find ways to be better!

If you have one of our Quality Policy Cards, you can pull it out and show it to us.

Because of the hard work from manufacturing employees, supervisors, supply chain, and so many others, we are well prepared for this audit. Thank you for all the work you are doing to support IFB Solutions and our military!

 

Welcome, New Team Members!

We’re excited to announce that several talented individuals started at IFB on Monday, June 30. Please join us in welcoming them to the team!

Winston Salem:

• Chong Welch (Rehire) – Assembler/Packer under the supervision of Tina Jolly

Asheville:

• Sharon Littrell (Rehire) — Sewing Machine Operator under the supervision of William Lindsay

We are thrilled to have these new team members on board and are confident they will contribute greatly to our continued success. Please be sure to give them a warm welcome!

 

Employee Spotlight Featuring Mary Cody, 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 Mary Cody from our Asheville Facility.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Asheville.

Q: How long have you been at IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I came to IFB 16 years ago through a temp service.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I enjoy hanging out with my grandchildren and playing with my dogs.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: My favorite meal is a steak with a baked potato.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: I work with a great team of people, which creates a good working atmosphere.

Q: What’s a quote or word of advice you’d give to a friend?
A: “Be careful what you say, it might come back to you.”

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: Western N.C. Braille Challenge and Beyond!

We’re proud to share an exciting update from the 25th Annual National Braille Challenge, held in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 28! Congratulations to Luke and Layla — two of our outstanding S.E.E. (Student Enrichment Experience) students — who each earned third place in their respective categories at the national level. Luke placed in the Sophomore level, and Layla placed in the Junior Varsity level — an incredible achievement among the top 50 Braille readers from across the country.

Both students advanced to the national competition after competing in the Western N.C. Regional Braille Challenge at Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse back in February. Their journey from regional standouts to national finalists is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to Braille literacy.

This year’s Braille Challenge theme was “We Brailled It!” — and Luke and Layla certainly did! Their success highlights the power of Braille as a foundation for learning, independence, and achievement for blind and visually impaired students.

We also continue to celebrate Jack, who represented our program in the Apprentice level at nationals. Together, these three students have shown what’s possible when skill meets passion and opportunity. Way to go, Jack, Luke, and Layla — we are beyond proud of you!

 

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

• Veterans support group meeting: Tuesday, July 15 from 12–1 p.m. in TADS Room
• On The Spectrum support group meeting; Thursday, July 17 from 12–1 p.m. in TADS Room

 

Community Low Vision Center Updates

Independence Day (Month) Sale!

Exciting news: For the month of July, everything in stock at our Community Low Vision Centers is marked down by an extra 10%. Come on in while supplies last!

CLVC Item of the Week:

Bold Line Low Vision Shopping List for $3.85

Twenty-one 3-3/4 inch long bold lines. 7/16 inch spaces between lines. Sheet size: 4-1/4 inch x 10-1/2. inch 100 sheets per pad.

If you have questions or are interested in any of the weekly items, please contact your local CLVC for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Event Reminder: ADA 35th Anniversary

Submitted by the Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities and the City of Winston-Salem Human Relations Department

The Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities and the City of Winston-Salem Human Relations Department are hosting an ADA35 Celebration to recognize the Americans with Disabilities Act’s 35th Anniversary on Friday, July 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Ramkat in Winston-Salem. We invite you, your family, friends, and colleagues to be a part of the celebration.

The objective of the ADA35 Celebration is to recognize a law that has made a significant impact in the lives of people with disabilities and our country over the past 35 years. The ADA was the world’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities.

As we recognize this landmark event and the great accomplishments from the signing of the ADA, we will seek to identify solutions to the prevalent barriers that individuals with disabilities continue to face in our community.

The ADA35 Celebration is free to attend. Light refreshments will be available.

Event Activities include:

• Expert Speakers
• Roundtable Discussions
• Vendors
• Live Entertainment:  The Enrichment Center Rock Band
• Springwell Student’s Personality Players

Please follow the link to register for the ADA35 Celebration: RSVP for the event

 

HR & Opportunities

2025–2026 Evidence of Insurability (EOI)

Did you add or increase coverage for supplemental life, spouse life, child life, or short-term disability during open enrollment? If so, you must complete Evidence of Insurability (EOI) by July 30, 2025 in order for your coverage to take effect.

What is EOI?

EOI is a health questionnaire used by the insurance provider to determine whether you (or your covered dependents) qualify for coverage you have elected.

Keep in mind:

Your election will not take effect until the EOI is reviewed and approved by Guardian.

What you will need to complete EOI:

• The client number: 00056230
• The coverage(s) you’re requesting
• The current insured amount and the additional amount requested
• Health history and doctor information
• Height and weight
• Date of birth

How to complete your EOI:

• Visit guardiananytime.com/eoi and use client number: 00056230. Click here to learn more about the Family Medical Leave Act.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Tammy Powers at twhitmire-powers@ifbsolutions.org.

 

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

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