Lighthouse Staff & Board of Directors

The Lighthouse has a highly qualified and specialized staff of dedicated professionals. Staff include Social Workers, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselors.

Executive Director

Sylvia Stinson-Perez

  • Master’s in Social Work
  • Master’s in Visual Disabilities VRT (ACVREP CVRT)

Instructional Staff

Laurel Brown – Independent Living Program Manager

  • Master’s in Social Work

Becky Barber – Early Intervention Teacher

  • Master’s in Special Education and certificate in Early Intervention

Kimberly Mason - Supported Employment Specialist/Job Readiness 

Melissa M. Suess – Orientation and Mobility Instructor

  • Bachelor’s in Visual Disabilities (TVI)
  • Master’s in Visual Disabilities (VRT and O&M) (ACVREP COMS and CVRT)

Patricia Lopez – Vision Rehabilitation (Independent Living) Teacher

  • Bachelor’s in Visual Disabilities (TVI) (eligible to sit for ACVREP CVRT exam)

Susan Marty – Vision Rehabilitation (Independent Living) Teacher

  • Bachelor’s in Visual Disabilities (TVI) (eligible to sit for ACVREP CVRT exam)
  • Certified Nursing Assistant

Penny Macpherson - Braille Teacher

  • Bachelor’s in Sociology
  • Master’s in Teaching from the University of Virginia in Elementary Education

 Brad Taylor – Assistive Technology Instructor/ IT Specialist

  • A.S. Business
  • Endorsement from Florida Division of Blind Services in Screen Magnification / DBS Training in AT

Administrative Staff

Sanford Barley – Operations Manager

Patricia Porter – Grants Coordinator / Newsletter Editor

  • Bachelor’s in Disability Studies
  • Diploma in Intervenor for Deaf-Blind Persons (sighted guide/communicator)

Matt Roman – Business Development Specialist
Meredith McInnes – Program Support Specialist Pasco
Rose Montgomery – Program Support Specialist Hernando/Citrus
Darlene Jones – Administrative Assistant / Receptionist Pasco
Sandra Eckert – Administrative Assistant / Receptionist Hernando/Citrus

Employment Initiatives

Theresa Santana – WebStore

The Lighthouse Board of Directors

Executive Board:

Jamie Mick - President
Cami Austin - President-Elect
J. Bruce Pienkos - Secretary
Edward Quigley - Treasurer
Dr. John Mann - Immediate Past President

Directors:

Bruce Mills
Charles Worthen
Frank Zito
James Polk
Kim Bogart
Michael Batchelder
Terry Haas
Bob Memoli
Dr. Rao Musunuru
Roger Michels
Tina Shelton
Wayne Ekren

The Lighthouse is also assisted with carrying out our mission by many wonderful and dedicated volunteers who help by driving clients, completing clerical tasks, providing extra hands at events and much more. Please visit our Supporters page for a partial list of volunteers.

Please refer to our Contact Us page for contact information.