Seattle, WA
Contact Mike May
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Seattle, WA. Apr 2017 - Oct 2017
CEO
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, nonprofit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities.
Sendero Group LLC, Davis, CA. 1999 - 2017
President and CEO
Software developers and manufacturers of the first accessible GPS navigation products and distributors of adaptive technologies.
Pulse Data HumanWare, Concord, CA. 2002 - 2003
Blindness Products Manager
Distributors of blindness and low vision products.
Arkenstone Inc., Moffett Field, CA. 1994 - 1999
Vice-President of Sales
Responsible for worldwide sales of adaptive computer equipment for persons with disabilities, including managing seven staff and 100 dealers. Generated over $6M in annual sales. Increased software sales by 10% or more each year. Instrumental in the development of a talking GPS Navigation System.
CustomEyes Computer Systems, Ashland, OR. 1991 - 1994
General Manager/Owner
Founded this company to provide customized adaptive computer systems for the blind. Became the fifth largest Arkenstone dealer worldwide and then sold the company.
Maytek Products, Talent, OR. 1988 - 1994
President/Owner
Manufactured specialized sports products and radiographic accessories.
Finial Technology, Sunnyvale, CA. 1984 - 1987
Marketing Manager
Assisted in raising $6.2M in venture capital, developed the world's first Laser Turntable and established worldwide distribution. Generated over 100 major media pieces.
TRW/ESL, Sunnyvale, CA. 1982 -1984
Member of the Technical Staff
Developed a new business area to provide high tech international political risk analysis.
Bank of California, San Francisco, CA. 1980 - 1982
Project Specialist, Interdepartmental Management Program
Involved in implementation of automated teller machines and wire transfer systems.
Central Intelligence Agency, McLean, VA. 1978 - 1979
Political Analyst
Analyzed and reported situations on classified matters in Africa.
2016 - 2018, CEA Foundation Board, Trustee
2012 - present, Salus University, Advisory Board
2011 - present, International Consumer Electronics Show, Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Judge
2007 - present, Seeing Eye, Board of Directors
2007 - 2012, Stevie Wonder's House Full of Toys Benefit Concert, Adaptive Technology Awards
2000 - 2010, Society for the Blind, Board of Directors
1993 - 2004, U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, Executive Member of the Board of Directors
1995 - 1997, Discovery Blind Sports International, Chairman of the Board
1995 - 1997, Peninsula Center f/t Blind and Visually Impaired, Board of Directors member
1985, 1987, San Francisco Lighthouse f/t Blind, Member & Vice-President of the Board
1983 - 1988, Sensory Access Foundation, Member of the Advisory Committee on Employment of the Blind
1984 - 1988, Project Hired, Member of Board of Directors
2015, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Coker College
2012, Louis Braille Individual Award, Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2010, Inducted into the US Association of the Blind Hall of Fame
2010, Dr. Jacob Bolotin award; celebrating achievement, creating opportunity, NFB
2010, Member of the President Obama White House delegation to the Paralympics.
2009, Morris Frank Award
2009, ABVI Goodwill Lifetime Achievement Award
2009, Innovations Design and Engineering Award in Personal Electronics, Mobile Geo, Consumer Electronics Association
2009, American Foundation for the Blind Access Award for pioneering accessible location information and navigation technologies
2007, BlindBargains.com Access Awards for Sendero GPS as best software product
2006, Tech Museum Award, Sendero GPS for the BrailleNote, Technology Benefitting Humanity
2006, The da Vinci Awards for Accessibility and Universal Design, Sendero GPS for the BrailleNote
2005, British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) Independent Living Design Awards for BrailleNote PK with Sendero GPS
2004, Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase in Accessibility Award, BrailleNote GPS, Consumer Electronics Association
1998, Kay Gallagher award, American Foundation for the Blind, mentoring
1979-2009, Commended personally at the White House by President Reagan and Vice-President Gore for pioneering efforts in sports and GPS activities. Also met Presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama.
Masters in International Affairs, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington D.C - 1979
Bachelors Degree in Political Science University of California, Davis, CA - 1976