Eric, CEO & President

Eric is the CEO & President at World Services for the Blind. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Professional and Technical Writing. He enjoys volunteering his time to the Arkansas Association for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Computers for the Blind, the Little Rock Founders Lions Club, and the Arkansas School for the Blind Alumni Association. He brings to the table real world knowledge of living with a visual impairment and 8 years of working with blind youth and adults. He lives in Little Rock with his lovely wife, Emily, and his Leader Dog, Hank.

Amanda, CFO

While studying chemistry at Arizona State University Amanda happened into a part-time position at an apartment community and as they say—the rest is history.  She soon found herself engrossed in budgets; full-scale property renovations; new construction, and managing teams of employees and vendors.  The experience she gained with managing budgets for the construction projects led her to co-found and manage her own successful cleaning company as well.  In 2013, she and her husband became foster parents and the focus of their lives changed forever. 

Heather, Director of Education and Training

Heather grew up on a chicken farm just outside of Athens, Georgia, though she also considers east Tennessee to be home.  Heather moved to Cleveland, Tennessee following her high school graduation to attend Lee University.  She graduated with a degree in political science in 2006.  During her college years, she had the opportunity to intern for the local District Attorney’s Office, where she developed a love of criminal law and made the decision to attend law school.  Heather received her Doctor of Jurisprudence with a certificate in International and Comparative Law from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida in 2010.  Heather loves to travel and was able to make the most of her international law studies by participating in clinical programs that allowed her to travel to the Netherlands and Trinidad & Tobago for legal externship credits.  Following her graduation, Heather returned to east Tennessee, where she served the Tenth Judicial District as a prosecutor for nine years.  In that capacity, Heather prosecuted numerous cases in state court and served on the Child Protection Investigative Team, the Special Prosecutions Unit,  and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Heather began to develop her love of teaching during this time as a law instructor for the police academy.

Julia

Julia started with WSB during December 2020 in HR and Business Operations.  She has lived in Central Arkansas for more than 10 years and loves her home state.   She is active in her community, the Maumelle Lions Club, a board member of Rock Region Metro, and local schools.  She brings a love of nonprofit to the WSB team. 

In her off time, she enjoys being a mom to two daughters - Massey and Fiona, paddling with her puppy - Auggie, snow skiing, yoga, gymnastics and all things outdoors with her fiancé Tony.

Lee, Development and Communications Manager

Lee is the Development and Communications Manager at WSB. She began at WSB in 2016 as a volunteer in the admissions department. Lee currently works remotely for WSB out of Atlanta, GA. At WSB, Lee runs the website, social media, and communications of the organization. She also oversees and manages grant submissions and development activities.

Lee is a graduate of Hendrix College with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art, as well as completed two certifications from Emory University in Graphic Design and Digital Marketing. While at Hendrix College, she had the opportunity to study abroad on Paros Island Greece and in Istanbul, Turkey, as well as complete an internship abroad in Dublin, Ireland. She currently serves on the MARTA Accessibility Committee in Atlanta as the Blind and Low Vision Agency representative, as well as a member of the Georgia chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired. Lee brings her lifetime real-world experience of living with a visual impairment to WSB.

In her free time you can catch Lee playing fetch with her cat, Vivian, and practicing yoga in the park.  

Misty, Supportive Services

Misty began her career at WSB in 2019 with the OIB Program. She now serves as the point of contact for all clients, staff, and departments.

Misty oversees all scheduling, travel, and transportation services for clients and staff at WSB. She also assists in donor communication and management.

Misty resides in Hot Springs, AR with her children Vol and Evyn. In their free time, they enjoy hiking and camping in their native city and spending time on Lake Catherine.

Madison, Case Manager

Madison is the Case Manager at WSB. She is from Bryant, AR, but currently resides in Alexander, AR. Madison spends the majority of her time with family, friends, and her pets. She loves being outdoors mostly when it’s hot (she is not a fan of the cold). She graduated college in 2019 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Madison has always wanted a job where she could help others but didn’t know what that looked like. She joined WSB in April 2022, with an excitement to learn and serve. She is encouraged and motivated by the mission of WSB. To her, it’s important to love and serve others where they are and that is exactly what she does every day in this position.

Rebecca, Director of Recruiting & Admissions

Rebecca began her career at World Services for the Blind as a student in the Assistive Technology Instructor program in 2012-2013. She completed the training program in 2013. She was then hired on as an instructor of the program.  

In 2014 she was hired as the National Recruiter for WSB. Rebecca is responsible for presentations to state agencies, schools, families and potential students.  She traveled extensively with her guide dog Shags. They were known in airport coffee shops all over the country.

Today, Rebecca works mostly from her office with her new Guide dog, Kate.

Jerri-Ann, On-Campus Assistive Technology Program Instructor

Jerri-Ann is the On-Campus Assistive Technology Instructor at WSB. She lost her vision to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) about 10 years ago. After a period of grief over her sight loss she began her personal journey toward regaining her independence.  While attending Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training, (PATB) she realized that the manner in which the curriculum was taught was as valuable as the curriculum itself. She was inspired and encouraged by others who understood the variety of emotions she was experiencing first hand.

TJ, Orientation and Mobility

TJ Hunt is joining WSB with 28 years’ of experience as a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist. She comes to us from Arkansas School for the Blind, where she worked for one year. Prior to that, TJ worked as a COMS in the St. Louis, MO area and in Outreach Services at Missouri School for the Blind. Prior to moving to Missouri, she worked in Texas for four years. TJ is excited to join the team at WSB.

Nathan, IT Specialist

Nathan is the IT instructor at World Services for the Blind. Nathan has worked and been around blind individuals his entire life. Now he is breaking into the IT field while helping those interested in the field, as well, find their way to it. He is dedicated to bringing the IT course online so that those who can’t be on campus may access to it and not be denied the class just because they are unable to step away from a busy home life. IT is a lucrative field that offers so many different paths to success especially since it’s such an umbrella of topics and ideas that nearly everyone finds something of interest.

Keith, Credit Counseling Instructor

Keith is the Credit Counseling, Workforce Development, Financial Literacy, and Call Center/Customer Service Instructor at World Services for the Blind. Keith Word began working at World Services for the Blind in January, 2019, after completing WSB’s Credit Counseling program and internship. Before attending WSB Keith Word worked for AT&T for 15 years in the Customer Service Department before becoming visually impaired. Once becoming visually impaired Keith Word needed to learn the necessary skills in which to live independently, so Keith Word chose to attend WSB.  Keith now has six nationally recognized financial counseling certifications and regularly attends national credit counseling conferences to showcase as well as learn new counseling techniques.  Keith sparks joy in giving those who are blind or visually impaired the necessary tools needed to achieve sustainable independency. Keith is a data-driven and insightful instructor who is passionate about getting his clients employed.

Megan, Online Assistive Technology Instructor

Megan has congenital optic atrophy. No one was aware of this until she was four or five years old. Up until that point, it was assumed that she was severely nearsighted. She attended her district’s schools from Kindergarten through the 12th grade. When she was a senior, she applied for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She was a student there for six years and went through many majors including English, history, education, and women’s studies. She finally settled for psychology and graduated. She heard about WSB from a friend, applied and was accepted. A year later, in March of 2022, she was finally able to enroll in the ATIO program. In early December of the same year, she began an internship at World Services for the Blind as the instructor for the ATIO program, which would turn into full-time employment. She is now the full time Assistive Technology Instructor Online program instructor.

Neashall, Keyboarding and Microsoft Office Specialist Instructor

Neashall is from Jacksonville, FL. She is the Keyboarding and Microsoft Instructor for World Services for the Blind. She is also the online Microsoft Office Specialist instructor.  Her responsibilities include helping the clients learn to type using the Fun with TypeAbility program and getting the clients prepared to certify for the Microsoft Office exams.

She attended Crowley’s Ridge Jr. College in Paragould, AR and graduated with an Associates of Arts degree. She also certified in the Microsoft office Suite which includes, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

She came to World Services in 2006 as the Receptionist, later the duties of Customer Services Trainer were added.  She was presented with the opportunity to learn, become certified, and then teach MOS.  This was a challenge, but one that she welcomed with a little apprehension. She is glad she took the challenge and is proud to be a staff member at WSB.

Doris, Techniques of Daily Living Instructor

Doris is the Techniques of Daily Living Instructor. She is a Wife, a mother, a Nana, a teacher, an advocate and a visually impaired adult. She is one of eight sibling who were raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has worked in nonprofit organizations who were dedicated to helping families and children reach their full potential for well over 38 years.  She was the Executive Director for two nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis, developed a pre-school curriculum and sat on an advisory committee that designed a case management plan for visiting nurses in Minnesota.   She is no stranger to hard work.  She received my Bachelor of Art Degree in Human Services from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota and her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from Minneapolis Technical College in Minnesota.

She is passionate about life and enjoy helping others. As the instructor for the Techniques of Daily Living class, she is blessed to have an opportunity to share what she has learned throughout life about living independently. Her classroom curriculum covers; cooking, clothing care, basic hygiene’s, day to day life skills and cleaning. However, she teaches much, much more, but most importantly, she teaches the students how to become independent and perform day to day activities safely and with confidence.

Meranda, Braille, Assistive Technology, and Adult Education

Meranda is the Braille, Assistive Technology, and Adult Education instructor at World Services for the Blind. She began working at World Services for the Blind in April of 2019, after completing WSB’s Assistive Technology Instructor program and internship. Before attending WSB, she ran an at-home daycare for 12 years. Meranda lost her vision in 2004. Then a blind, single parent, Meranda needed a sustainable income, so she looked to WSB to learn the skills to become an assistive technology instructor. Now at WSB, Meranda gives people the skills necessary to access the world of literacy through braille and technology.