2006 E. R. "Dick" Alley Award Winner
Dennis Dudek

Having embarked on a contracting career 30 years ago, Dennis Dudek is today the Director of Supplier Operations Clothing & Textiles at the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP). He is one of the most widely recognized ambassadors of the JWOD Program within the Defense Logistics Agency, and he has proven to be a champion of the JWOD Program by consistently identifying new JWOD opportunities within DSCP.

An innovative thinker, Mr. Dudek is the driving force behind the Virtual Prime Vendor (VPV) program that enables nonprofit agencies to order, receive, and store recruiting and organizational military clothing items, and then to distribute them to regional U.S. locations. VPV contracts have been awarded to both NIB- and NISH-associated nonprofit agencies; proving to be very successful for not only the nonprofit agencies, but for DSCP and the military as a whole. This partnership has led to improved customer distribution channels, dependable quality and customer service, reduced costs, and diversified jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled. Under Mr. Dudek's direction, other similar warehousing and distribution arrangements have evolved for medals and uniform accoutrements. Additionally, various major military clothing programs such as the Air Force Physical Training Uniform and Army Improved Physical Fitness and Combat Uniforms developed under his guidance.

Due in large part to Mr. Dudek's efforts, current JWOD/DSCP Clothing and Textiles contracts have provided more than 1,000 jobs for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. For FY 2005 alone, his organization awarded contracts to JWOD nonprofit agencies in excess of $583 million in products and services, adding 250 National Stock Numbers to the JWOD Procurement List. Furthermore, under his direction, DSCP's C&T Directorate has been the largest single Department of Defense JWOD customer since 2001.

Besides providing invaluable support to the Program by identifying contracting opportunities, providing feedback, and encouraging JWOD support throughout DSCP, the Federal government, and the clothing and textiles industry, Mr. Dudek maintains excellent working relationships with NISH, National Industries for the Blind, and JWOD-associated nonprofit agencies. He takes his staff with him on JWOD nonprofit agency visits, where he makes a point of thanking the JWOD employees for their hard work and commitment.