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Awards, accreditations and certifications

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At GCE, our awards and accreditations reflect the quality, integrity, and impact of our work. These honors recognize our operational excellence and our mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities nationwide.

Whether you’re a potential partner or job seeker, our achievements speak to a workplace where excellence is celebrated, contributions are valued and growth is supported.

Organizational awards

Certifications

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Award-winning work

Commitment to our military

In addition to being named a Military Friendly® Employer and recipient of the VETS Indexes Employer Award, GCE has been recognized as a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified organization, as well as a Department of Defense (DoD) Skillbridge provider. We also participate in the Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYs) program and are proud to be listed in the National Resource Directory, a searchable database of resources specifically vetted for service members, veterans, family members and caregivers.

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Commitment to excellence: Food service line of business

GCE has received numerous awards over our long history of providing food service excellence to our customers:

  • U.S. Coast Guard Forrest O. Rednour Memorial Award Program for Excellence
  • U.S. Air Force Gold Plate Award
  • U.S. States Air Force Best in FACAF
  • U.S. Navy Capt. Edward F. Ney Memorial Award
  • U.S. Army Phillip A Connelly
  • U.S. Air Force Hennessy Award
  • Top 50 Contract Management Company by Food Management Magazine (2010-2023)
Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, known as the Navy Seabees base

Site-specific awards

Colorado Military Health System, U.S. Air Force, Fort Carson, Colorado

Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

  • Five-Star Accreditation for Food Services (2001–2024)
    Awarded annually for sustained excellence in Navy food service.
  • Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award (2010)
    Recognized as the top Navy food service operation in our category.
  • Florida Exceptional Employer Award (2023)
    Honored for commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities.

Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi

  • Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award (2024)
    Colmer Dining Facility awarded for excellence in East Coast General Mess Category.
  • Five-Star Accreditation for Food Services (2024)
    Recognized for meeting top-tier Navy food service standards.

U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

  • Tennessee Employer of the Year (2024)
    Selected as winner for Tennessee Region 5 by Vocational Rehabilitation and Department of Human Services for GCE’s recruiting and outreach efforts.

Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island

  • Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award (2023)
    Colmer Dining Facility awarded for excellence in East Coast General Mess Category.
  • Five-Star Accreditation for Food Services (2025)
    14th accreditation for consistent excellence in Navy food operations.

Fort Knox, Kentucky

  • Success Coin Recognition (2024)
    Honored by base engineers for outstanding custodial service.

MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army Base Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Washington

  • S. Army Connelly Award (2018)
    Contributed to the base’s designation in “Active Army Field” category for outstanding food service.

Eglin Air Force Base – 7th Special Forces Group

  • S. Army Connelly Award (2021 and 2023)
    Winner in “Active Field” and “Active Army Garrison” categories for outstanding food service.

Individual Honors

  • Milton Cohen Leadership Award (2021)
    Rich Gilmartin (retired GCE executive) – Recognized for extraordinary leadership in the AbilityOne® Program.
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Recent awards

Professional growth journey: Whitney Jordan

Professional growth journey: Whitney Jordan

Whitney Jordan is a custodian at NAS Pensacola with Global Connections to Employment (GCE), one of the nation’s largest private employers of people with disabilities. Whitney began her journey with GCE in December 2014 and is about to celebrate her 11th year with the company. Before she began at GCE, Whitney worked with a job […]

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Jason Seabolt named Global Connections to Employment Team Member of the Quarter

Jason Seabolt, contracts specialist, has transformed contract workflows, achieving a 100% response rate on all contracting actions within 48 hours — a major improvement from the team’s previous record. Known for his diplomacy and professionalism with government partners, Jason “pushes back when necessary, but always with respect and tact,” as Jeffrey Fullmer, special contracts manager, […]

GCE expands mission with new line of business

GCE expands mission with new line of business

Empowering neurodivergent talent through creative work Pensacola, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2025) – Global Connections to Employment (GCE), one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, is proud to announce the launch of GCE Designs, a new line of business offering branded apparel, embroidery and promotional items. GCE Designs is set to open a […]