2002 E. R. "Dick" Alley Award Winner
J. R. Holcombe, Jr.

Richard Holcombe, Procurement Analyst, U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Procurement Policy Division, was presented with the E. R. "Dick" Alley Career Achievement Award on May 19, 2002, at the NISH Annual Training Conference.

Mr. Holcombe has actively worked with the JWOD Program as USDA's JWOD Liaison since 1995. Over the past seven years, Mr. Holcombe has helped USDA become the Program's most rapidly growing customer, with USDA JWOD contract dollars increasing from $2 million in FY 1994 to $40 million in FY 2001. He facilitated the JWOD Program's participation in several innovative Federal contracting programs, such as the packaging and provision of items like vegetable oil and non-fat dry milk for national and international food programs, and the establishment of the first JWOD central facilities management contract at the USDA complex in Beltsville, MD. As a result of Mr. Holcombe's creativity and personal commitment to the JWOD Program, hundreds of jobs have been created for people with severe disabilities.

Mr. Holcombe also provides invaluable assistance to JWOD staff by identifying contracting, training and exhibiting opportunities, providing feedback on marketing and educational efforts, and encouraging JWOD support throughout USDA. Mr. Holcombe has been a true champion of the JWOD Program.