2007 E. R. "Dick" Alley Award Winner
Cindy Maltby

For more than 25 years, Cindy Maltby has been one of the most widely recognized ambassadors of the AbilityOne/Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Interior (DoI).

Ms. Maltby's first exposure to the Program was during her tenure with the Navy Department, David Taylor Naval Ship R&D Center, Carderock, MD. She acquired first hand knowledge of the JWOD Program and quality supplies that she purchased at the base supply store. She quickly learned "U.S. Government Property" meant more than just the standard Government Issue products. Each product had a significant beneficial socio-economic story behind it.

Later in her Federal career she worked for Congress where she learned to advocate for the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program. She relentlessly worked to persuade the House Office Supply Store to carry more quality blind made products. After Congress, Ms. Maltby worked for a large Office Supply Company in the Government Purchasing Department where she provided the necessary training and expertise to sell to the government.

In 1992 Ms. Maltby joined the Office of Acquisition and Property Management, Department of the Interior. Mr. Paul A. Denett, (first E.R. Dick Alley, Jr. Award recipient), recognized Ms. Maltby's passion for helping persons with disabilities achieve the American Dream. He created the first and only JWOD Program Manager position in the Federal Government.

In 1994 the Committee established Interior as an Ex-Officio Member where Ms. Maltby served as the Liaison and Mr. Denett as the Ex-Officio Member. Ms. Maltby served as the Member shortly after Mr. Denett's retirement in 2001. The JWOD Community has consistently recognized Ms. Maltby for her staunch commitment and dedication to the Program. The Secretary of Interior recognized Ms. Maltby with Interior's highest honor award, the Distinguished Honor Award for her exceptional work with the JWOD Community. Ms. Maltby received the Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards as well for her extraordinary commitment and outstanding achievements with the JWOD Program.

Ms. Maltby was the initiator and driving force behind the highly successful custodial contract at one of America's high profile landmarks, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This contract employs more than 16 persons with severe disabilities.

Ms. Maltby believes in the AbilityOne Program and makes it part of her life, she takes every opportunity to advocate and promote the program. It is not uncommon to see her on weekends or during vacations at non-profits across the country participating in special events, grand openings, employee appreciation events, ice cream socials and picnics.

Ms. Maltby's hard work and dedication to the JWOD since 1992 has resulted in more than 100 quality jobs for persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. She has instructed hours of quality training on JWOD, JWOD and Outsourcing, Greening JWOD and numerous seminars for Disability Awareness training. She also conducted workshops for Interior acquisition and property conferences, bureau acquisition training and Governmentwide and Departmentwide acquisition intern programs.

Ms. Maltby 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 the Executive Office of the President. Ms. Maltby has been a true champion of the AbilityOne Program.

Ms. Maltby clearly demonstrates her commitment to the JWOD Program, the people it serves and the disability community time and time again in achieving results. Ms. Maltby unselfishly makes herself available to the AbilityOne community and is always a positive, professional in communications and relations with program participants.

Examples of her support over the many years she has been associated with the JWOD Program include:

• Helping JWOD Program associated nonprofit FedCap secure custodial contracts at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• Helping JWOD Program associated nonprofit FedCap secure custodial contracts at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• Working to get Department of the Interior bureaus to order JWOD business cards from Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
• Getting support for the JWOD Program from the top echelons of DOI leadership in the form of letters of support from the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Procurement Executive during National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month
• Ms. Maltby organized and executed annual JWOD expos for Program vendors at both DOI Headquarters in Washington, and in Reston, VA and Sheppardstown, WV locations
• Ms. Maltby ensured JWOD Products were upfront before DOI personnel by setting up a permanent glass display cases at DOI Headquarters in Washington and at the Denver Federal Center.
• Ms. Maltby worked diligently in the establishment of a "Green" office store at the Washington location.
• Worked collaboratively with Committee staff, NIB, NISH and the Environmental Protection Agency in a Memorandum of Agreement between the organizations. (The purpose for the MOA was for the JWOD Program associated nonprofit agencies to furnish environmentally preferable products which the Federal agencies agreed to purchase.)
• Ms. Maltby arranged and conducted tours of JWOD-associated nonprofits Melwood, Anchor Mental Health Services, Service Source and Blind Industries and Services of Maryland for key government procurement executives.
• Established a JWOD Award Program at the Department of Interior, the first Federal Agency to recognize JWOD Program participants at such a high level.
• Worked in collaboration with other DOI staff, Committee staff, NIB and NISH in the establishment of the DOI Green Cleaning contract, which remains in effect to this day.
• Ensured JWOD products, such as recycled award plaques from Delaware Industries for the Blind and black portfolios made with recycled content were purchased for use by interior personnel for various events and recognition ceremonies.