BAC Advocate Represents Florida at the 2025 SourceAmerica Grassroots Conference

We are proud to share that Simeon Fowler was one of only about 60 self-advocates chosen from across the country to attend the 2025 SourceAmerica® Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., September 8–11.

With one in four adults in the U.S., that’s more than 70 million people, reporting a disability, these conversations with policymakers are critical. The Grassroots Conference gives employees with disabilities the chance to speak directly with their state policymakers, building a future where meaningful employment is accessible for all while also strengthening American manufacturing and economic growth.

During the conference, Simeon shared his story as an AbilityOne employee and spoke with members of Florida’s Congressional delegation. He met with Congressman Mike Haridopolos, Matthew McCulloch from Congresswoman Kat Cammack’s office, and Dawson Glenn from the office of Senator Ashley Moody. At Senator Moody’s office, Simeon and BAC leaders stood alongside Karen Searles, Vice President of AbilityOne Programs at SourceAmerica, and advocates from GCE and Challenge Enterprises of North Florida to ensure Florida’s leaders heard firsthand about the life-changing impact of the AbilityOne Program.

“Sharing my story in Washington was an honor. I wanted lawmakers to understand that people with disabilities are ready and able to work, and that the AbilityOne Program makes it possible,” said Fowler.

SourceAmerica, the national nonprofit that administers the AbilityOne® Program, and BAC selected Simeon for this opportunity because of his leadership, passion, and commitment to advocacy.

“Simeon exemplifies our mission,” said Amar Patel, President & CEO of BAC. “He uses his own story to inspire change, and we are proud to have him represent BAC, our community, and the state of Florida on the national stage.”

Amplifying Voices, Building Futures: Advocacy on Capitol Hill

The Grassroots Advocacy Conference is where voices like Simeon’s help shape the future of disability employment policy. Together with more than 60 advocates from across the country, he helped spotlight the barriers people with disabilities face and the solutions that AbilityOne provides, building careers, fueling economic growth, and strengthening the U.S. workforce.

Beyond meetings on Capitol Hill, Simeon connected with SourceAmerica leadership, including President & CEO Richard Belden, and drew inspiration from keynote speakers such as Col. Gregory Gadson, a decorated U.S. Army veteran and actor, and Brad Snyder, a Navy veteran and Paralympic gold medalist. He also had moments of reflection, including a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where he honored his time in the Air Force.

From braving the rain during advocacy day to speaking before conference attendees, Simeon’s first Grassroots experience was unforgettable. His voice reflects the strength of the entire AbilityOne community, and his story is helping to shape a future where meaningful employment is within reach for all.

Learn more about BAC’s mission and the AbilityOne Program at www.bacemploy.com

BAC's Susan McGrath and Simeon Fowler on the plane heading to the Grassroots Conference in Washington D.C.

Simeon Fowler on the plane heading to the Grassroots Conference in Washington D.C.

Simeon Fowler at the 2025 Grassroots Conference

Simeon Fowler at the airport with a SourceAmerica Sign hanging on the wall behind him that says, "America is made here"

Simeon Fowler at the airport with a SourceAmerica Sign hanging on the wall behind him.

Simeon Fowler at the airport with a SourceAmerica Sign hanging on the wall behind him that says, "Giving veterans new ways to serve."

Simeon Fowler standing between two Guardsmen, outside under a shady tree with smaller boats docked in the waterway behind them.

Simeon Fowler and Keynote Speaker Col Gregory Gadson

BAC's Amar Patel and Simeon Fowler with SourceAmerica’s Lawrence Adkins and John Saddler, BAC

SourceAmerica CEO Richard Belden, with BAC's John Saddler and Amar Patel and NCSE-Chair Allen Connely, President and CEO, Moziac

BAC's John Saddler and Amar Patel with InspiriTec's Melanie and self-advocate Stephen at 2025 Grassroots

Simeon Fowler being filmed and interviewed at the 2025 Grassroots Conference

Behind the scenes photo of Simeon Fowler's interview at the 2025 Grassroots Conference

Keynote Speaker, Brad Snyder speaking at the 2025 Grassroots Conference in Washington D.C.

Keynote Speaker Brad Snyder and Congressman Jon Porter Porter Group

Keynote Speaker Brad Snyder and Congressman Jon Porter and Jeff Dolven Tessera CEO

AbilityOne Executive Director, Kim Zeich

Richard Belden and Simeon Fowler at the Grassroots Conference

SourceAmerica's Wes Tyler and Rick Terraxas with BAC's Simeon Fowler

Simeon Fowler on stage at the Grassroots Conference behind the speaker podium

Simeon Fowler, BAC and Armando Contreras, SourceAmerica sitting on a bus on the way to the Capital Building in Washington D.C.

Simeon Fowler with the Capital Building in the Background

A large group of People with Disabilities who were invited to speak as self-advocates for the Grassroots conference standing on stairs outside the Capital Building Behind

Simeon Fowler at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Simeon Fowler at Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington D.C.

Simeon Fowler, BAC and General Bob Daniels, SourceAmerica

2025 Grassroots self-advocate and BAC employee. Simeon Fowler at the Washington DC WWII Memorial for Florida Veterans

Simeon Fowler BAC Grassroots self-advocate, visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Simeon Fowler with the Washington Monument in the background

Simeon Fowler Outside Florida Senator Ashley Moody's Office

Dawson Glenn, office of Senator Moody, Karen Searles, VP AbilityOne Programs SourceAmerica and advocate teams from GCE Challenge Enterprises of North Florida and BAC

Simeon Fowler Outside the Office of Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos while attending the 2025 Grassroots Conference

A group pose for a picture with Simeon Fowler and Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos during the 2025 Grassroots Conference

BAC John Saddler, Simeon Fowler, Susan McGrath Inside the Capital Building in DC

Matthew McCulloh, with BAC's, Susan McGrath, Simeon Fowler and John Saddler standing outside Congresswoman Cammack's office

Simeon Fowler standing outside Florida Senator Rick Scott's office in Washington D.C.

BAC Grassroots self-advocate Simeon Fowler standing outside with the Whithouse in the background

Simeon Fowler standing outside talking to a secret service officer while attending the 2025 Grassroots Conference

BAC is a value driven prime contractor with a dedicated team of professionals to provide a comprehensive range of solutions designed to meet the specific needs of our military, government and commercial customers.

We follow industry best practices to meet high quality standards across all of our contracts; we are one of only 250 companies nationwide CIMS-Green Building certified and one of the few to hold the CIMS-GBAC with Honors certification.

From growing a performance work statement to better meet emerging needs to customizing our production line to serve new products, our teams are committed to providing the best possible support to our new and future customers.

As a social enterprise BAC also provides employment and empowerment programs designed to help more than 4,000 people with unique abilities annually achieve as much independence and personal success as possible.

Forging key corporate partnerships and working with the AbilityOne Program, the enterprise now offers employment opportunities to more than 600 people at federal contract sites across Florida, Puerto Rico, Virginia and North Carolina. BAC’s longstanding partnership with Brevard Public Schools allows BAC to reach out to students with disabilities to help them plan for the future.