Pensacola, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2026) – GCE Designs celebrated its official launch with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony hosted in partnership with the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce.
The event marks the opening of the new 8,744‑square‑foot Pensacola facility, which will serve as a national hub for custom apparel, embroidery and promotional products—while creating meaningful, community‑based jobs for people with disabilities. GCE Designs is the latest business venture from Global Connections to Employment (GCE).
As one of the nation’s largest private employers of people with disabilities, GCE has been headquartered in Pensacola since 1986 and today employs more than 1,700 team members across 14 states and Washington, D.C. The launch of GCE Designs represents the organization’s next phase of mission‑driven growth, blending high‑quality branded merchandise with inclusive employment.
“Today is more than a grand opening—it’s the beginning of new opportunities for individuals of all abilities to thrive, contribute and grow,” said Dwight Davis, president of GCE. “For nearly four decades, GCE has connected people with disabilities to meaningful careers, and GCE Designs strengthens that mission by pairing creativity with purpose.”
GCE Designs anticipates hiring 10–15 team members in its first year, with opportunities expanding as demand grows.
The new venture is made possible through a strategic partnership with Spectrum Designs, a nationally recognized apparel and merchandise company where nearly 70% of employees are on the autism spectrum. GCE Designs is Spectrum Designs’ first expansion of its model outside New York.
“Seeing this model take root beyond New York is a milestone for inclusive employment,” said Patrick Bardsley, Co‑Founder & CEO of Spectrum Designs. “Partnering with GCE—an organization with a long history of excellence—ensures the impact of this work reaches even more communities.”
Spectrum Designs will provide ongoing operational support to GCE Designs, drawing on more than 15 years of experience in inclusive apparel production.
Leading GCE Designs is General Manager Mike Craney, a longtime Pensacola business leader with more than 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising and business development. Throughout his career, Craney has earned national recognition for his leadership, including multiple American Advertising ADDY awards, as well as honors for digital media innovation and sales excellence. He also serves as a faculty member at Pensacola State College.
GCE Designs is now officially open for business, offering custom branded apparel and merchandise to customers nationwide. To learn more or request services, visit GCEdesigns.org or follow GCE Designs on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About Global Connections to Employment
Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is one of the country’s largest private employers of people with disabilities, including our war-wounded veterans. Since its establishment in 1986, GCE has helped match team members to fulfilling careers, from custodial services to facilities maintenance and food services, plus information technology and contact center support. Working with customers from the U.S. military, commercial business and community partners – as well as federal, state and local governments – GCE operates in 14 states plus Washington, D.C. Learn more at GCE.org.
About Spectrum Designs
Spectrum Designs is a custom brand and merchandise company redefining what’s possible through inclusive employment. Over 70% of its workforce is on the Autism Spectrum, and as a nonprofit, 100% of sales from every order go toward expanding and advancing its inclusive culture and employment model. With locations in Pleasantville and Port Washington, NY, Spectrum provides high-quality screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-garment printing, and more, serving clients ranging from local businesses to global brands like Google, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. For more information, visit www.spectrumdesigns.org.