Celebrating Value, Talent and 27 Years of Dedication:

James Fox Shines During NDEAM

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the value and talent that individuals with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” perfectly captures the story of James Fox, a long-time team member at BAC whose 27-year career is marked by dedication, ownership, and quiet leadership.

For nearly three decades, James has been a cornerstone of BAC’s custodial operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, supporting missions that advance space exploration and national defense. But it’s in recent years, amid leadership transitions, peer retirements, and changes within the AbilityOne® Program, that James’s growth and confidence have truly shined.

As the AbilityOne Program evolved to emphasize productivity and efficiency, some worried that employees who relied on additional supports might face challenges adapting. When several of James’s long-time colleagues retired, there was concern that he might struggle with the change. Instead, James stepped forward with steady determination, taking ownership of new responsibilities and showing that opportunity, not limitation, defines success.

Among the sprawling 165 buildings that make up the Cape Canaveral contract, James knows every hallway, closet, and key. Literally. When transitions in staffing created confusion over building access, James quietly took charge of organizing and managing the site’s extensive key system. Each day, employees sign out keys for their assigned areas, and it’s James who ensures every key is properly logged, distributed, and returned. Without being asked, he became the point person for the south side of the complex, a trusted team member who ensures accountability and smooth daily operations.

His leadership doesn’t stop there. James helps orient new hires and fill-in leads, walking them through building layouts, showing where supplies are kept, and ensuring they understand the rhythm of the work. He has become both a mentor and a model of consistency, demonstrating that leadership isn’t always loud, but it is always present.

James also takes pride in the details that others might overlook. Whether it’s making sure the coffee is ready before the first shift, confirming lights are turned off at day’s end, or stepping in to help a co-worker finish their area, James approaches every task with care and ownership. His supervisors admit that for years, they underestimated his potential, until he proved that with trust and opportunity, he could rise above every expectation.

Recently, during his Employee Career Plan discussion, James expressed an interest in learning more about computers and exploring career development opportunities. That curiosity and drive reflect his continued desire to grow, even after decades of service.

His story is one of perseverance, reliability, and the transformative power of inclusion. He has become an example of what happens when an organization invests in people, not just for what they can do today, but for who they can become tomorrow.

As a mission-centric federal contractor, BAC provides a comprehensive range of solutions that support warfighter readiness, space exploration, and veterans, while delivering critical value to the federal government. Behind every mission are employees like James, professionals whose work strengthens both America’s capabilities and its communities.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate James Fox and all AbilityOne employees who prove that inclusion fuels innovation and strengthens our nation’s workforce.

Through partnerships with SourceAmerica®, BAC proudly continues to demonstrate that America is Made Here, in the workplaces where inclusion, ability, and dedication come together to power our economy and support jobs for people with disabilities across the United States.