Gulfport, Miss. (September 17, 2024) – Global Connections to Employment (GCE) has earned the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, known as the Navy Seabees base. This prestigious award is the highest recognition for Navy food service operations. The Colmer Dining Facility was recognized for the East Coast General Mess Category.

“Receiving the U.S. Navy Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” said Senior Director of Operations Betty Geren. “We are extremely proud to have achieved this level of excellence in serving our military personnel, and this recognition underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards year after year.”

The Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award recognizes food service excellence in U.S. Navy operations. Only galleys that achieve a five-star rating from the Navy evaluation team are eligible. The award, designed to enhance competition and improve food services, is named for Navy Captain Edward F. Ney, who led the Subsistence Division of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts from 1940 to 1945.

In addition to providing high-quality food services, GCE is one of the largest private employers of persons with disabilities in the country. At Naval Construction Battalion Center and other sites across the country, GCE team members excel in roles such as custodial services, facilities maintenance, business services, IT and contact center support. Nationwide, more than 1,500 GCE team members provide essential services at military installations and federal sites in 14 states and Washington, D.C.

GCE’s history of excellence includes receiving five-star annual accreditation at Naval Air Station Pensacola every year since 2001 and earning the Ney Award in 2010. Most recently, in 2023, GCE team members at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, received the Ney Award and secured their twelfth five-star accreditation.

GCE empowers individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment, providing training and support to team members, including veterans. The organization is committed to offering exceptional services while making a positive impact on the communities they serve. Read about GCE’s awards and recognition for service excellence.