Meet Envision’s 2027 Employees of the Year

Seven employees honored across the Wichita and Dallas campuses. Four advance to national consideration by National Industries for the Blind. 

Envision has named its 2027 Employees of the Year. Seven employees across the Wichita and Dallas campuses earned this year’s honors, selected from a field of 55 nominees spanning the manufacturing floor, the contact center, federal contracting, and campus operations. 

Two of the honors connect Envision to a national tradition. In 1968, the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Board of Directors established the Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award, named for one of the nation’s foremost advocates for people who are blind. Dr. Salmon was instrumental in the passage of the Wagner-O’Day Act of 1938, the legislation that opened federal employment opportunities for people who are blind and led to the formation of NIB itself. The award recognizes outstanding performance by an employee who is blind or has low vision working in a direct labor role. Its companion, the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award, established in 1966, honors career advancement by an employee who is blind or has low vision in a professional or administrative role. Each year, Envision’s Salmon and Samuelson honorees advance as the organization’s official nominees for NIB’s national awards, standing among nominees from NIB-associated agencies across the country. The third honor, Envision’s Employee of the Year Award for sighted team members, recognizes the colleagues whose leadership and dedication strengthen the mission across the organization. 

Moises Diaz, a Machine Operator II on the Dallas Campus, is Envision’s 2027 Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year for Dallas. Moises runs the complex Kolbus machinery at the heart of his department, and when the equipment demanded deeper expertise, he pursued intensive on-site manufacturer training to master it. That initiative has meant smoother production runs, less downtime, and a higher standard of output across the department. “We can always count on Moises to deliver flawless, quality products on time,” Mark Beal, Senior Director of Operations, wrote in his nomination. “He brings a rare combination of skill, heart, and dependability to our facility every day.” 

Esmeralda Paugh, Purchasing Assistant, is the Dallas Campus’s 2027 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award honoree, and her career tells the award’s story. “Esmeralda has grown from being a call center agent to operations,” Development Manager Abby Lautin wrote. “She is fulfilled with her job while also being a mom of 3 and PTA President.” 

Adriana Rangel, Production Supervisor, is the Dallas Campus’s 2027 Employee of the Year among sighted team members. Adriana supervises every production line on the sewing floor and serves as lead trainer for new and specialized programs, preparing the team for each new contract the campus takes on. “Adriana does not just manage production lines; she builds the team that sustains them,” Mark Beal wrote. “Her dual capability as a rigorous floor supervisor and a dedicated educator ensures our facility is successful today and fully prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.” 

On the Wichita Campus, Ron Smith, a Bag Folder Picker in Manufacturing, is the 2027 Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year. Ron is a long-tenured, dependable teammate who welcomes and encourages new employees, talks sports with anyone, and sets the tone for the whole shift, sometimes with a train whistle that makes the floor smile. As coworker Jose Leal wrote, “He keeps everyone going. He is always upbeat. Big personality.” 

Will Quist, Purchasing and Contracts Manager for Envision Xpress, is the Wichita Campus’s 2027 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award honoree. Will built his career inside the Base Supply Center program, serving for years as store manager of the Minot Base Supply Center before his promotion in 2025. Today he supports all 16 of Envision’s Base Supply Centers, has led four major store resets, and travels the country training and mentoring store teams. “Will exemplifies what it means to be an Envision employee,” Nikki Gathard, Director of BSC Sales and Marketing, wrote. “His dedication, resilience, and work ethic inspire those who have the privilege of working alongside him.” 

The Wichita Campus’s Employee of the Year Award for sighted team members honors two recipients this year. Buddy Lewis, Security Officer, is often the first person clients and families meet when they arrive on campus, and he knows many of them by name, treating every arrival as a chance to make someone feel at ease. “The children at ECDC [Envision Child Development Center] and their parents adore him, and he makes a genuine effort to know them personally,” Ray Oddis, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, wrote. “Buddy’s humility, compassion, and dedication truly reflect Envision’s mission.” Tim Brock, Contracts Administrator for Envision Xpress, marked his 28th year with the organization by completing the modernization of a critical ordering process while administering Envision’s largest federal supply program. “Few employees made a greater impact on Envision over the past year,” Justin Morgan, Vice President of Retail Operations, wrote. “The scale of Tim’s [AbilityOne contract] results, the lasting operational impact of the EDI project, and nearly three decades of dedicated service make him an outstanding choice for Employee of the Year.” 

Moises, Esmeralda, Ron, and Will now advance as Envision’s official nominees for NIB’s national awards. Congratulations to all seven of Envision’s 2027 Employees of the Year.