Cottonwood Inc. of Lawrence, Kansas was among the award recipients when the Defense Logistics Agency honored 23 industry partners, customers and individuals with its Business Alliance Awards.

Cottonwood Inc. received the Outstanding AbilityOne Program Vendor Award presented to non-profit agencies (National Industries for the Blind, employing the blind; or NISH, employing persons with severe disabilities) that exemplify overall excellence in superior product quality, on-time delivery, superior customer service, reliability, dependability, consistency and accuracy.

Overall, the Business Alliance Awards recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to partner with DLA and improve the agency’s mission — providing supplies and services to America’s warfighters. DLA Vice Director Air Force Maj. Gen. Arthur B. Morrill III presented the annual awards.

The agency’s primary role includes managing more than 5 million consumable items, such as rations, medical supplies and equipment, clothing and textiles, and repair parts for land, sea and air weapons systems and platforms.

Cottonwood Inc., a source of supply for cargo tie down straps, has managed to keep up with unprecedented demand for this essential logistical item while continuing to be one of DLA’s top performers.

DLA provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the U.S. military services and several federal civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations inside the Department of Defense.

Nina received the distinguished “Shining Star Award” at the NISH South Central regional conference, from Sally Henderson, Executive Director, NISH South Central Region in New Orleans on February 4th, 2010.

Nina has been the Government Contracts Manager for Cottonwood for the last 3 years. Nina, with her vast experience in manufacturing and government contracting, has been an excellent addition to the Cottonwood Team.

Nina oversees many components of Cottonwood’s federal contract and serves as chairman of the agency’s ISO Steering Committee. She is responsible for administering the quality guidelines associated with the contract and for assuring that Cottonwood is in compliance with all contract regulations. Nina monitors both production & quality issues and coordinates all deliveries and invoicing, as well as generating all of the documentation associated with the contract.

Nina manages duty-free issues, as well as all inspection processes and RFID requirements for outgoing shipments. Nina works with a variety of suppliers, transportation providers, and governmental procurement staff. Nina is indeed an excellent team leader within Cottonwood’s manufacturing management structure and is valued by her co-workers for her energy and ability to resolve any issues that may arise.

Nina also does an outstanding job at interfacing with our government customers, quality inspectors, as well as assuring compliance through her interactions with NISH staff. Nina has the gift for being able to meet difficult issues head on to achieve successful resolutions.