NEWS RELEASE — Gulf Coast Enterprises was among seven Florida businesses receiving the state's Exceptional Employer Award for companies demonstrating an outstanding commitment to hiring people with disabilities.

GCE is based in Pensacola and employs more than 1,200 people with disabilities at sites in 13 states and the District of Columbia. In Florida, GCE sites include those in Milton, Gulf Breeze, the Fort Walton Beach/Niceville area, Tampa, Orlando, Clearwater and New Port Richey.

Also receiving Exceptional Employer awards were Dunkin Donuts of Pensacola, 2-1-1 Broward, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Citigroup, Lee & Marie s Cakery Company, and SeaWorld Orlando.

The Exceptional Employer awards were presented in Tallahassee on Oct. 1 by representatives of the state’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Blind Services and Vocational Rehabilitation. The ceremony was part of the state s observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Accepting the award on behalf of GCE were Lakerria Wright, an employee of the GCE food services site at Pensacola Naval Air Station, and Adrian Wyer, a targeted employment specialist for the company. They were accompanied by Rusty Branch, GCE s manager of training and community development.

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