Pensacola, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2023) – Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is a Florida Exceptional Employer for 2023. The food services team working at Naval Air Station Pensacola and Corry Station GCE was selected by the state of Florida. Honorees are recognized for hiring individuals with disabilities. Removing employment barriers is the teams’ key focus.

As a result, team members traveled to Tallahassee Florida, the seat of Florida’s Capitol, where the award was presented. Dawn Rupert, GCE project manager at NAS Pensacola; Betty Geren, GCE senior director of food services operations; and Patrick Reed, GCE food services team member from Corry Field, accepted the award on behalf of the team.

In addition, during October, Pensacola county commissioners also recognized National Disability Employer Awareness month during their October meeting.

What does this Florida Exceptional Employer do?

The GCE mission is to help people throughout life’s journey. More than 1,500 people across the country work for GCE. In Florida, 457 team members with disabilities work at a variety of sites. Approximately 360 team members with disabilities live and work in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, at places like Naval Air Station Pensacola, Elgin Air Force Base and LifeView Group.

The way Global Connections to Employment (GCE) made an impression isn’t only about hiring. In addition to that, the nationwide GCE team provides support and training. They engage people with significant disabilities, including war-wounded veterans, and the team has earned many other awards for service excellence. They empower team members through meaningful employment, preparing them and matching them to careers in in IT, food services, custodial services, a contact center, and facilities maintenance.

Read about other impressive GCE awards and recognition.