NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch and NEXCOM Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Bianchi Sign Joint Statement of Guiding Principles
October 3, 2012, ALEXANDRIA, VA – National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) signed a joint statement of guiding principles during a special ceremony at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
NIB and NEXCOM formalized their commitment to identifying and pursuing business opportunities that are mutually beneficial for both organizations. Kevin A. Lynch, President and CEO of NIB, and Robert J. Bianchi, Chief Executive Officer of NEXCOM, signed the agreement.
“This agreement formalizes what has already been a strong business relationship between NIB and NEXCOM,” says Lynch. “Together, we can continue to provide quality goods and services, and at the same time, create more jobs for people who are blind.”
Despite continued gains in employment, 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed. NIB’s mission is to create, sustain, and improve employment opportunities for people who are blind.
The agreement stipulates that NIB and NEXCOM will each designate a senior management official to serve as a liaison between the two organizations, and mutually agree on annual goals and objectives.
“This agreement brings NEXCOM and NIB together to identify opportunities for mutual success,” said Bianchi. “Our customers, as well as NIB, will both benefit from this partnership.”
NIB and NEXCOM have historically collaborated in the areas of retail products, services, and operational supplies for the AbilityOne® Program, a federal program that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled.
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About National Industries for the Blind
NIB is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its network of 90 associated nonprofit agencies nationwide serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. For more information, visit www.nib.org.
About NEXCOM
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) oversees 100 Navy Exchange (NEX) facilities and nearly 300 stores worldwide, 40 Navy Lodges, Ship’s Stores, the Uniform Program Management Office, the Navy Clothing Textile and Research Facility and the Telecommunications Program Office. NEXCOM’s parent command is the Naval Supply Systems Command. NEXCOM’s mission is to provide authorized customers quality goods and services at a savings and to support quality of life programs for active duty military, retirees, reservists and their families. NEXs and Navy Lodges operate primarily as a non-appropriated fund (NAF) business instrumentality. NEX revenues generated are used to support Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs. In FY11, $2.7 billion in sales were generated with $42.8 million in dividends provided to Navy MWR programs.
Contact:
Mike Johnson
mgjohnson@nib.org
703-310-0568