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Directors and CEOs
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Discover the Executive Directors and CEOs who have served at World Services for the Blind from its founding in 1947 to the present 2022.
By: Emily Summers
Roy Kumpe
Exec. Director
1947-1977
Howard Hanson
Exec. Director
1978-1979
Jim Cordell
Exec. Director
1980-1999
Ramona Sangalli
Exec. Director
2000-Apr 2009
Carl Foreman
Interim CEO
Apr-Aug 2009
Larry Dickerson
CEO
Aug 2009-Jun 2014
Tony Woodell
CEO
Jun-Nov 2014
Stacey Hunter Schwartz
CEO
Nov-Dec 2014
Bruce Davis
Interim CEO
Feb-Aug 2015
Sharon Giovinazzo
CEO
Aug 2015-Oct 2022
Eric Yarberry
CEO
Nov 2022-Present
About the Author
Emily Summers completed her Master of Arts degree in Public History from UA Little Rock in 2021. She is a processing archivist at the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture.
Sources
Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind. New Life. Little Rock: Lions Clubs of Arkansas, 1977-1988. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/newlife197788arka/mode/2up.
Ampezzan, Bobby. "Spotlight shines on Morgan as blind services lauds CEO." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. November 22, 2015.
Bahn, Chris, and Cyd King. "World Services for Blind in LR hires chief." Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. August 7, 2015. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/aug/07/world-services-for-blind-in-lr-hires-ch/.
Boozer, Chelsea. "Gifts, lot sale keep agency for blind open - Talk of LR closure dropped." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. February 7, 2015.
Friedman, Samantha. "Lions World fires CEO as posts go vacant, fundraising languishes." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. May 1, 2009.
Hogan, Lee. "World Services for the Blind Hires Stacey Schwartz as CEO, President." Arkansas Business. December 8, 2014. https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/102288/world-services-for-the-blind-hires-stacey-schwartz-as-ceo-president.
Hogan, Lee. "World Services for the Blind Taps Tony Woodell as President, CEO." Arkansas Business. June 11, 2014. https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/99253/world-services-for-the-blind-taps-tony-woodell-as-president-ceo.
"Lions World Services for the Blind Announces Dr. Larry Dickerson as the new President and CEO." New Life, October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20101014202811/http://lwsb.org/new_life/Oct_2009.pdf.
Netterstrom, Kristin. "Professor set to lead nonprofit." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. August 11, 2009.
"Obituary: Carl Foreman." Hot Springs Village Voice. May 10, 2022. https://www.hsvvoice.com/Content/Default/Obituaries/Article/Carl-Foreman/-3/64/1570.
Sarnataro, Barbara Russi. "Ramona Ennis Sangalli At Lions World Services for the Blind, executive director Ramona Sangalli is especially qualified to help. She has her late parents to thank for those special insights." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. July 1, 2001.
Rengers, Carrie. "Right Time Right Place: Trainer devoted to his work fell in love on coffee break." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. October 7, 2001.
"Roy Kumpe to Retire, 40 Years With AEB" West Little Rock News. January 26, 1978.
Wentling, Nikki. "Nonprofit for blind's president resigns." Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. December 22, 2014. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2014/dec/22/nonprofit-for-blind-s-president-resigns/.