Award description

The VisionServe Alliance Excellence in Leadership Award honors an Executive Director, President, or CEO of a member organization.

Award recipients are listed on a print/Braille plaque in the Hall of Fame – Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field located at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky.

Eligibility

The recipient of the VisionServe Alliance Excellence in Leadership Award must be an Executive Director, President, or CEO and be a current or former member (actively employed, retired, or deceased) of VisionServe Alliance who has shown exemplary industry and professional leadership over the course of at least five years. It is expected that the nominee’s contributions have been significant at a local, regional, and/or national level. Nominees should act in accordance with VisionServe’s Code of Ethics. Nominators should review the VSA Code of Ethics Policy at this link.

Procedure

Nominations for this award should be made by letters of nomination from two current member CEOs that address the nominee’s outstanding leadership contributions and the significance of his or her contributions to services to individuals with vision loss.

A list of potential recipients and supportive statements, which includes nominations from members and recommendations from VisionServe’s CEO, will be presented to the Board of Directors for a vote. Selection of the recipient of the VisionServe Alliance Excellence in Leadership Award (maximum of two per year) will be based on a majority vote by the VisionServe Alliance Board of Directors.

Link to application form Receipt deadline for all 2024 nominations is February 17, 2024.

List of previous winners

2023

Lauren Branch

NewView Oklahoma

2021 & 2022

(None awarded)

2020

Elly du Pre

Florida ASB

John Mitchell

Cincinnati Association of the Blind

2019

Bryan Bashin

The LightHouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Mike Gilliam

San Antonio Lighthouse

2018

Robert Kelly

Conklin Center f/t Blind

2017

Bernadette Kappen

New York Institute for Special Education

2016

Miki Jordan

Junior Blind

2015

Michael Bina

The Maryland School for the Blind

Allan Brenner

Earle Baum Center

2014

Steve Pouliot

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

2013

Mark Lucas

United States Association of Blind Athletes

2012

Cliff Olstrom

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind

2011

Pamela Brandin

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

John W. Thompson

Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis

2010

Linda Lauria

Delaware Association for the Blind

2009

David Ekin

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Dr. Tuck Tinsley

American Printing House for the Blind

2008

National – Les Stocker

Braille Institute of America

Regional – Nancy Miller

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

2007

Donald LoGuidice

Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

2006

Ken Rosenthal

The Seeing Eye

2005

Rachel Rosenbaum

The Carroll Center

William Thompson

Lighthouse of the Palm Beaches

2004

No Awards

2003

Dr. Richard Welsh

Retired, Pittsburgh Vision Services

2002

No Awards

2001

Vernon Metcalf

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

Dr. Robert Winn

Hadley School for the Blind

2000

Jules Cote

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired