Award from National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) recognizes the decades of profound support McCollough has lent both agencies and countless people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.
From left: Chris LaFollette, president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Arizona Industries for the Blind; Marc McCollough, director of sales for Essendant; and Jeff Mittman, NAEPB board chair and president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Bosma Enterprises.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 3, 2024—National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the National Association for Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) recently honored Essendant Director of Sales Marc McCollough with a lifetime achievement award.
McCollough has represented Essendant for more than 22 years. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Essendant offers logistics and distribution expertise, a broad product assortment and system integrations for businesses of all sizes. As an AbilityOne Program® authorized wholesaler, it offers over 1,700 AbilityOne products for resale to distributors selling to the federal government.
The award was presented during the NIB/NAEPB annual Training Conference and Expo held October 14-18 in Arlington, VA, which more than 900 people registered to attend. Chris LaFollette, president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Arizona Industries for the Blind, who has known and worked with McCollough for decades, introduced the award.
“Your unwavering dedication to service has set a standard that elevates all who follow in our footsteps,” LaFollette read from a plaque presented to McCollough during the conference’s opening general session. “Your work embodies NIB’s mission to empower individuals who are blind through employment and serves as a testament to the lasting improvement of the AbilityOne Program.”
NIB enhances the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment. Through its network of nearly 100 associated nonprofit agencies across the country, NIB is the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind.
McCollough said he finds that mission very rewarding. Over the course of his career, he has visited more than 70 of NIB’s associated nonprofit agencies and met thousands of employees who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. “Revenue is not the mission. Employment is the mission,” he said, adding that dedication has motivated and inspired others besides himself.
“Most of you leaders are aware that it takes a team,” he said during the ceremony, “and I happen to be blessed with one of the best. So, to each of you, thank you. I share this recognition with all of you. Thank you, all of you, sincerely, for having invited Essendant to be part of your mission.”
Jeff Mittman, NAEPB board chair and president and CEO of NIB associated nonprofit agency Bosma Enterprises, said McCollough has made a tremendous impact.
“Corporate philanthropy, to Marc, is more than just being a sponsor, supporting a foundation or volunteering time. It’s when someone gives everything they can, from a business standpoint,” said Mittman, adding, “Marc truly understands the importance of helping create and sustain jobs for people who are blind, and throughout his career he continuously went above and beyond. The things he’s done for NIB and for NAEPB are countless.”
“For more than two decades, Marc’s steadfast support and dedication has helped empower people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired through meaningful employment, and has made our working relationship with Essendant extremely strong,” said Soraya Correa, NIB president and CEO. “Both NIB and NAEPB appreciate his unwavering commitment which has left a lasting legacy within our community.”
For more information on National Industries for the Blind, visit www.nib.org. For more information about the National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind, visit www.naepb.org.
# # #
About National Industries for the Blind
Incorporated in 1938, NIB is the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, and through its network of associated nonprofit agencies, is the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S. NIB creates opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement in their communities. The organization offers career training and assists employers and employees in developing mutually beneficial workplaces. NIB’s vision is that blindness is not a barrier to employment. In 2021, NIB launched a national talent management enterprise known as NSITE. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind or visually impaired, including veterans. For more information, visit www.nib.org or www.nsite.org.
About The National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind
Founded in November of 2001 in Dallas, Texas, the mission of The National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind is to represent and protect the collective interest of its member organizations to enable them to strengthen and maximize opportunities for people who are blind. NAEPB is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is certified as a 501 (c) 6 organization. It is a membership association of agencies from across the United States who share the common goal of providing employment for people who are blind.