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GCE names executive director of administration and support

Pensacola, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2023) – Carol Duke has been named executive director of administration and support by Global Connections to Employment (GCE).  In her new role, Carol will direct senior leaders whose roles are to support operations to help ensure quality work performance and adherence to regulatory compliance issues across the organization. A few key areas […]

GCE names 2022 Veteran of the Year

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2023) – Global Connections to Employment (GCE) has selected team member Stan Hays as the 2022 Veteran of the Year. Hays works for GCE in the Official Mail Center at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Prior to joining GCE, Hays served in the U.S […]

GCE names 2022 Team Member of the Year

Newport, Rhode Island (January 3, 2023) – Global Connections to Employment (GCE) has named Antanika Doukkali as the 2022 Team Member of the Year.  Antanika Doukkali was born with a learning disability and experienced an unstable early childhood. It prompted her grandmother to raise her. She started working at Global Connections to Employment eight years ago. At first, she didn’t […]

Ediberto “Eddy” Cruz Cruz, Monterey, California

2021 Veteran of the Year: “I feel bad about having my whole body when other veterans lost limbs and are in worse shape. That’s hard for them. I try to be grateful and see the positive in life.” Transitioning to civilian life with a disability was challenging, but with a lot of hard work, Eddy […]

Alan Garrone, Pensacola, Florida

2021 Team Member of the Year: Alan started working at GCE 11 years ago. His mom used to work at Navy Federal, Credit Union and when he was at her office, he noticed a bus that dropped off young people his age to work. He asked who they were and learned it was a group […]

Crystal Shank, Pensacola, Florida

Benefits call center representative at LifeView Group corporate office: While she was a talented artist, Crystal didn’t know what career path to pursue or what job she could do given her disability. One thing she did know was that she wanted independence. In high school, Crystal consulted with a vocational counselor who referred her to […]

Tommy Huynh, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida 

2016 Team Member of the Year: When Tan “Tommy” Huynh was 6 years old, he witnessed a horrific crime that resulted in the death of his mother, brother and sister. Years later, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with a disability. Following a long recovery, he started working at Naval Air […]

Bonnie Blaydes, Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska

2019 Team Member of the Year: Bonnie struggled with an abusive spouse, but experienced love for the first time when she gave birth to a baby boy. Unfortunately, the addiction she faced was too strong, and she was arrested and sent to a behavioral health facility. While there, she learned about God and began to […]

Matt Amendt, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington

2018 Team Member of the Year: In his 30s, Matt realized that his disability was keeping him from holding down a steady job. Matt was diagnosed with ADHD, a condition that inhibits his focus and concentration for long periods of time. “My diagnosis is one of those things that you wouldn’t think was life-altering, but […]