Local Business Owner and Nonprofit Leader Receives the Congressional Medal of Distinction

John Blanchard, executive director of NASA Education Corporation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company and current 2008 McHenry County Economic Development Corporation's Special Recognition Business Champion has been recognized and was presented with the 2008 Congressional Medal of Distinction.

Mr. Blanchard attended the awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 18th in Washington D.C. where he was presented his medal of distinction. His unselfish contributions to business entrepreneurs along with the humanitarian efforts made towards our military heroes that are now either newly returned, displaced, disabled, homeless, or are otherwise in transition were key factors during the selection process. NASA Education's main program, Project Fresh Start offers a community and workforce reintegration program that includes free housing, transportation, and training. His continued support of the Republican Party, outstanding leadership in business and contributions to the local economy also were significant in the National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) decision. Only an elite group of business and professional people were nominated to receive the award before the awards selection committee reached a final decision.

Blanchard, who served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, is a true leader and veteran advocate assisting his brothers and sisters of the military that have fallen on hard times. In addition, Mr. Blanchard's continued success as a business owner is a true testimony of how a veteran himself, who for a short time was one of those less fortunate returnees, could take his final paycheck and through determination and a very strong faith create not one but two successful, profitable, international companies: The National Association of System Administrators, Inc (NASA, Inc.) a leading provider of hardware maintenance, co-location and disaster recovery services, founded in 1994 and National Association of System Administrators Corporation (NASA Corp.), a software development company founded in 1997.

Mr. Blanchard is a lifetime member of the Carpentersville, Illinois, VFW Post 5915 where he was just recently elected Commander and was installed earlier this month. He is also a member of the American Legion Post in Lake in the Hills, IL. In 2005 John was presented with the Rear Admiral Kevin F. Delaney (ret.) "Keeping America Strong Award" presented at the Heartbeat of America Television program by mega star William Shatner. In 2006, Blanchard and NASA Inc. were named one of 10 national finalists in the DELL/NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses) Excellence in Customer Service Award.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive workforce and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

For more information about NASA Education, please contact Amy Johnson at 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or amy_johnson(at)nasaeducation.org or visit our website at www.nasaeducation.org.

Local Business Owner and Nonprofit Leader Receives the Congressional Medal of Distinction

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Local Business Owner and Nonprofit Leader Receives the Congressional Medal of Distinction

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