Ben joined GCE in 2016 after relocating to Florida from Illinois. Early in his time with the company, he was focused on rebuilding his life while navigating recovery from alcohol and drug use.

“I got down here about six months into my recovery, and I needed a job that was familiar, which is food service,” he said. “I’d done a lot of things in food service over my career.”

He began working as a cook for GCE’s contract at Gulf Breeze Hospital, a role that offered the structure and flexibility he needed to prioritize his recovery. “I was out of there by 7 p.m. every night, so I could make my 8 p.m. meetings. They were super accommodating to that,” he said.

After spending about three years in that role, Ben began to think about what was next. With experience owning and managing restaurants, he knew he had more skills to offer.

“I loved cooking, and I still do, but I also love to teach, make decisions and lead. I get a kick out of the buzz that food service brings,” he said.

With the support of GCE leadership, Ben advanced into new opportunities throughout GCE contract sites. His various positions included a management role at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., a building manager position at Naval Air Station Pensacola and a project manager role with Lakeview Center.

Today, he serves in a director role supporting food service contracts at Eglin Air Force Base, Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island, Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, Lakeview Center in Pensacola and food and janitorial contracts at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C

“From that very first moment, I felt supported by GCE leadership,” he said. “That’s the first thing that happened to make me want to stay.”

Today, Ben is driven not only by his passion for food service, but also by GCE’s mission and the impact the company has on the individuals it serves.

“It’s important for folks with disabilities to have the opportunity to not just come to work and earn a paycheck, but to be a part of and to be a member of a team and to be a member of a work family. All of those things are part of what we do. It’s the culture that we try to create,” he said.

For Ben, that sense of purpose is what makes his work meaningful.

“Helping people is a great way for an organization to start every day, but it’s also a great way for an individual to start every day,” he said. “Having that kind of alignment in my life makes coming to work really fulfilling.”

To work with motivated team members like Ben, visit our careers site.