Photo caption: NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch with Kimberly Zeich, deputy executive director, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled and Rear Admiral Steven J. Romano, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy Commander, NEXCOM.Alexandria, VA) National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) signed a memorandum of understanding June 21, 2010, with the intent to generate mutually beneficial business development initiatives through strategic sourcing of existing and new operational supplies, retail products, services, and contract management support.
“In just a few months we [NEXCOM and NIB] were able to come together to produce this memorandum of understand that will provide a strong framework for our partnership for collaboration and working together to identify opportunities for mutual success,” said Rear Admiral Steven J. Romano, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy, Commander, NEXCOM.
NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch added: “NEXCOM is an important part of our military retail program. The Navy has always been a very strong supporter of the AbilityOne Program (JWOD) and this is a wonderful starting point for the future of our partnership.”
Next steps for both NIB and NEXCOM include site visits to some of NIB’s nonprofit agencies associated with the AbilityOne Program where thousands of people who are blind produce products that are sold through Navy Exchanges (NEX) and overseas NEX Depots.
About National Industries for the Blind
At NIB (www.NIB.org), our mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program).
About Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM)
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), Virginia Beach, Va. NEXCOM is a non-appropriated organization employing 14,000 associates worldwide that provides management oversight for 104 Navy Exchanges, 42 Navy Lodges, 157 Navy Ship’s Stores, Military Sealift Command Ship’s Stores, Uniform Program Management Office, worldwide telecommunications services afloat and ashore, and the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility. Average annual revenue are $2.5 billion providing an estimated $450 million savings to Sailors and their families and $51.1 million in profit contribution to Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation quality of life programs.
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Contact: Ken Murphy
Director of Communications
National Industries for the Blind
703-310-0500
kmurphy@nib.org
