Warren Walker and Jennifer Holladay are celebrated for their outstanding commitment and excellence in the workplace
Alexandria, VA – National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, is honoring Warren Walker as the winner of the 2022 Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award and Jennifer Holladay as the winner of the 2022 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. Walker and Holladay will receive their awards at an October 6 banquet during the 2022 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo.
Warren Walker, who works for Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is known as the “voice of the people” among his coworkers for his outgoing personality, ability to connect with colleagues, and determination to go above and beyond in all aspects of his work. Throughout his career, Walker’s demonstrated commitment to helping others has earned him recognition from both peers and supervisors. Walker has held positions on various packaging lines during his time with Bestwork Industries and currently serves on the agency’s Employee Relations and Safety committees and as chair of the Quality Work Environment committee.
For Jennifer Holladay, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) has played an important role in life since she was an elementary school student. In the third grade, Holladay enrolled in the agency’s programs to fine-tune her communication, white-cane, and technology skills. During the summer of 2003 she served as a community relations intern and was hired as a full-time employee in 2006. Holladay has steadily progressed in her career since, and now serves as manager of information and volunteer services at CABVI. Holladay wants to continue creating opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to have access to as many print materials as possible.
“Warren and Jennifer — along with all of the nominees for these two awards — demonstrate immense talent and offer incredible value to the workplace, while giving back to their communities,” says NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “We are grateful for the example they set as dedicated leaders within NIB’s network of associated nonprofit agencies.”
The Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award was created by NIB’s board of directors in 1968 to honor the accomplishments of employees who are blind who excel in their positions at NIB’s associated agencies. The Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award honors individuals who are blind who demonstrate career advancement at an NIB-associated agency or in the private sector.
The awards will be presented during an annual conference hosted by NIB and the NAEPB, which brings together hundreds of NIB and associated agency employees, federal government partners, and supporters to advance employment issues for people who are blind.
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About National Industries for the Blind
Since 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has 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 associated nonprofit agencies are the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind through the manufacture and provision of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services of the AbilityOne® Program. For more information about NIB, visit NIB.org.
About Bestwork Industries for the Blind
Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc. is a private not-for-profit corporation dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind by providing training and employment opportunities in a supportive work environment.
About Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI)
Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired offers employment opportunities for individuals with vision loss in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area across a range of enterprises, as well as a variety of vision and information services that foster independence and inclusion. CABVI is a private, non-profit organization that relies on the generous giving of our donors. Our goal is to always be a dynamic organization that continues to grow and change to meet the needs of an increasing number of people who need our services.