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Congratulations to Mike Miles, winner of the
2009 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award!

Mike Miles has been with Oswego Industries since May 2004. He was previously employed at various commercial custodial companies in Syracuse, where he gained experience in all aspects of cleaning services. While on these assignments, Mike’s desire to learn new skills coupled with his attention to detail and quality made him very useful in a variety of customer settings. These fundamental core values and character attributes proved to be the basis for his exceptional success at Oswego Industries.

When Mike came to OI in 2004 as a Custodial Cleaner, his goal was to be able to make more money than he was earning at his previous job with the long-term goal of being able to provide a life of economic independence and security despite the challenges of emotional/mental health disabilities. This would help him transition from a group home supported environment to complete independence in his own apartment, a goal which Mike has achieved as a result of his employment at Oswego Industries. In addition, his personal desire for excellence has yielded a broad range of favorable results in areas such as achieving Agency mission and quality improvement goals, improving customer relations, maximizing job skills transfer to co-workers, and maintaining a fun and interesting work environment for the other diverse members of his crew.

Currently, Mike is an integral part of the 12-person crew working at the Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSO) in Syracuse. Reporting to the OId site supervisor at that location, he has developed an excellent rapport with the building’s numerous tenants, receiving favorable written mention from the DDSO administrative staff on several occasions. Of equal importance has been Mike’s demonstrated work ethic
which has been reflected by his unsurpassed punctuality and perfect attendance. Clearly, he has become the role model for the entire crew in this regard.

Equally important however, is Mike’s life philosophy and personal conduct in the community which enriches all of the lives of those around him. For example, in his apartment building, he helps disabled and non-disabled people in coping with the many chores of life. On a twice-daily basis, Mike will walk or take a bus to purchase groceries for those that cannot travel. He also helps with laundry, does banking, picks up prescriptions, and provides safety and security to elderly people on walks in his neighborhood. This truly selfless concern for the welfare of others is a model for all of us.

Mike truly embodies what OI and all other agencies are trying to achieve. He reflects outstanding job performance, success through his employment opportunities, and success in personal areas of his life. Mike has accomplished all of this while mirroring the heart of NYSID’s person-centered program.

Click here to read about more of the 2009 Joslin award winners!

New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. has become a national model for providing jobs for people with disabilities.

NYSID Preferred Source contracts with state and local government agencies enable more than 7,000 people with disabilities - including many veterans - to be part of New York's workforce, to become taxpayers and contribute to their communities. Click here for more about Jobs Well Done