Shawn Mayo
Executive Director
Shawn grew up in Bellville, Illinois and became blind from leukemia during her senior year of high school. After earning her BS in Psychology at Bradley University and winning appeals for the Illinois Department of Vocational Services to fund out-of-state blindness training, she became a student at BLIND, Incorporated. She completed the comprehensive program and went on to earn her masters in Clinical Psychology at Southwest Missouri State University.
Through her training at BLIND, Inc. Shawn had learned first hand how much more comfortable and efficient blind people could become when they learned the alternative techniques and developed a positive attitude toward blindness. She wanted to continue making this opportunity available for other blind people to discover this as well, so when she was offered the position of Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach, she felt it would be an excellent opportunity to do just that.
When Joyce Scanlan, BLIND's founding Executive Director, announced her retirement in 2003, the Board of Directors selected Shawn to fill this position. Shawn has found this position both challenging and rewarding and has greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with such a talented and hard-working staff.
Shawn has also worked as a baseball card dealer, a veterinary assistant, researcher and statistician, and counselor. She also volunteers her time to organizations for cancer, diabetes, and the National Federation of the Blind. She has served as President of the National Association of Blind Students and President of the National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals. Outside of work, Shawn's interests include horses, theater, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dick Davis
Assistant Director for Employment Services
Careers Instructor
Dick Davis came to his job with a range of skills which included teaching in an orientation center, rehabilitation teaching, rehabilitation counseling, orientation center administration, and state agency for the blind administration. His interest in tools and machinery came at a young age; his father was a carpenter who taught his children how to build things. He has taught alternative techniques for industrial arts for many years. Before coming to his current position, he was Assistant Commissioner for State Services for the Blind in Minnesota. Honors include two governor's citations, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World. He has a wife and three children, two girls and a boy, and lives in Circle Pines, a northern suburb of St. Paul.

Becky Bergmann
Home Management Instructor
Becky grew up in Minneapolis and earned a B.S. in General Home Economics from the University of Minnesota. She has done post graduate work in education and special education and held a vocational education license for over 20 years. During that time she taught Home Economics at Faribault Regional Center which was a state residential facility for the mentally disabled. When the facility closed Becky took a position as a placement consultant with a small company called Nanny Professionals. She assisted families in filling their childcare needs. Becky was hired by BLIND, INC. in 2006. This position fulfilled her desire to return to the classroom setting and continue to work in the human services field.
Becky has been an active member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for 30+ years, holding several board positions with the state affiliate. She volunteers at her church, playing keyboard and handbells in the music program and maintaining a floral garden. She is also a photographer and been a member of local photography groups for over 25 years. She loves searching state parks and the north woods for that perfect photograph. She lives in Savage, MN. with her kitty, Stormy.

Al Spooner
Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach

Al Spooner is a North Dakota native, and lived in Idaho 18 years prior to moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota in August of 2002. Over most of the past 25 years his career dealt with computer sales and training. He has worked for two major retail corporations as a salesperson and manager. His career ended abruptly in February of 1999 when he became blind. Since that time, he completed his blindness training as well as an A.S. Degree in Communications.
From August 2002 to December 2005, Al worked for BLIND, Incorporated as the computer and technology instructor. In January of 2006,he became the Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach enabling him to spend more time spreading the word about effective blindness training that produces confident, independent, and successful blind individuals.
Al has a number of hobbies and interests, such as, fishing, down hill skiing, playing guitar, traveling, reading, listening to Rock and Roll music, and of course, computers. He has also been actively involved with the National Federation of the Blind. He helped organize a chapter in his home community while in Idaho and served as its president. He served as second vice-president for the NFB of Idaho state affiliate, as well as the treasurer of the Idaho Association of Blind Students.

Emily Wharton
Webmaster/Network Administrator,
I have been working at BLIND, Inc. in a variety of positions since 1998. I came to work here because going through a similar training program dramatically changed my life and I wanted to help other people have that same experience. Prior to training, I spent a large portion of my life trying to pretend that I wasn't blind. I wasted alot of time and missed a lot of opportunities because I didn't have the skills or the confidence to try new things. But since I have come to really believe that being blind is okay and I don't need to be afraid or ashamed, I never miss a chance to have a new adventure. It's a great feeling, and I want to help other blind people to find it for themselves. Outside of work, I enjoy roller blading, wood carving, playing basketball, gardening, going to concerts and plays, or just hanging out at coffee shops or the lakes. I really love this city. I can be shopping downtown, hop a bus, and twenty minutes later I am sitting on the beach or hiking through a bird sanctuary. You just can't beat that. My great passion, however, is poetry. I love reading it and I love writing it.

Steve Decker
Computers/Assistive Technology Instructor
Steve was raised on a farm outside of Dubuque, Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. He was fortunate that his parents advocated for good skills training and he began learning to use a cane and read braille at age 3. Having these skills enabled him to participate fully in school and enjoy an active childhood. However, he did not have much exposure to other blind kids or adult blind role models. This inspired him to become a Buddy counselor at BLIND, Inc. during the summers of his college years. He wanted to show blind kids that they could have fun and grow up to live full and happy lives. Steve became a member of the National Federation of the Blind when he was 18. When he attended his first Washington Seminar, the political process and the power of collective action fascinated him and he wanted to be part of a force for positive change in the lives of blind people. Outside of work, Steve enjoys reading, trying new foods, exploring the Twin Cities, and spending time with his wife.

Zach Ellingson
Travel Instructor
Zach was born in Alaska, raised in Iowa, and has lived in Minnesota since 1990. He graduated from BLIND, Incorporated in 1998. He has worked in the human service field for more than ten years. Zach was hired to teach cane travel at BLIND, Inc. in the spring of 2004. He is happy to have the opportunity to help others find the independence and self-confidence he himself gained through his own training at BLIND. He enjoys going to concerts, amusement parks, and anything adventurous.

Jeffrey Thompson
Industrial Arts Instructor
Jeffrey Thompson was born and raised 12 miles from BLIND, Incorporated. Jeffrey was in the printing industry for over 16 years until blindness gave him the opportunity to explore other careers and interest. Jeffrey attended Minneapolis Community and Technical College and transferred to the University of Minnesota where he finally had to come to terms with his blindness. He attended the National Federation of the Blind conference and after 9 years he was finally able to consider himself blind. Jeffrey then attended BLIND, Incorporated and is presently attending the University of Minnesota. Jeffrey enjoys music, likes to play the blues on guitar and tinker with old cars and trucks.

Melody Wartenbee
Braille Instructor
In July, 1998, I began teaching Braille at BLIND Inc. I gravitated to BLIND for at least 2 reasons. BLIND strongly promotes the use of Braille for students' professional and personal lives. BLIND also encourages students to be employed in competitive jobs. At BLIND I have taught students ages 17-85 the reading and writing of Braille.
In Missouri, where I spent most of my working life and childhood, I taught students ages 15-87 the reading and writing of Braille. I also taught students ages 15-100 other independent living blindness skills.
I learned Braille as a child when I learned large print was too much of a strain for my eyes and I could curl my eyelashes trying to see the letters.
As an instructor I got in on some of the benefits students acquire from the program. Prior to moving to Minnesota, I would type reports with a Smith Corona typewriter. Now I use Microsoft Word. It was a big jump.

Sharon Monthei
ELL (English Language Learning) Instructor
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Lori Brown
Life Skills Instructor
Seniors Class Instructor
Lori Brown is a graduate of BLIND Inc. She is originally from West Central Illinois. She is a graduate of Spoon River College in Canton, Illinois where she received an Associates of Arts degree in Education. She now lives in the Twin Cities with her two children. She says, “BLIND Inc. showed me that I am a capable blind mother with the abilities to be a successful woman.” Also, she says, “Being proactive and making the decision of getting training from a NFB Center was the best decision I have ever made not just for me but for my family.” Lori enjoys spending time with her kids, going to the movies, singing karaoke and watching NASCAR. 

Joyce Scanlan
Seniors Class Instructor
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Sidonia Starnes
Secretary
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I grew up in Wabasha, MN. I am one of five girls. My husband David and I have three grown daughters and a son. We are also blessed with six grandchildren. David was a truck driver for many years. In 2004 he had ischemic athropy of the optic nerve in his left eye. The following year he had one in his right eye. This left him legally blind. He was wondering what he would do for the rest of his life. He knew he didn’t want to sit home and do nothing. After a few phone calls he found a wonderful counselor. She set him up to tour a couple schools that teach adjustment to blindness training. We both were very impressed with BLIND Inc. While David went through training at BLIND, Inc. I continued to live and work in Wabasha. After nine months he graduated from Blind Inc and stayed on a month to help with the Buddy Program. Driving up here almost every weekend I could see a change in David. He was so happy and really enjoyed living in Minneapolis. He said the bus system worked wonderfully for him. He could go anywhere. I knew then I would be moving to Minneapolis. In August of 2007 I did just that. In February of 2008 I was offered the job as secretary for BLIND, Inc. and happily accepted the position. I was very lucky to go through staff training. I did this wearing sleep shades for eight hours a day. My favorite class was Braille. Ever since I can remember I wondered what the signs on doors and elevators said in Braille. I am happy to say I can now read and write Braille to a certain point. I also used a white cane. This has been such a wonderful learning experience.

Michael Brands
Community Programs Coordinator
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Blind since early childhood, Michael believes determined blind persons can do anything others do. He is thankful for encouragement from many kindred spirits of Blind, Incorporated and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), an NFB scholarship, accompanying mentorship, and many blind friends.
Michael has lived in five cities, six states, and three nations (including Ukraine and India) and has traveled in Mexico and Europe. Michael holds a B.A. in Cultural Studies, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. He has served as the pastor of a multi-ethnic church in south-central Los Angeles, has recently written a book, and currently teaches university courses part-time.
He also now works part-time with Blind, Inc., to develop our Seniors training program, and a synthesis of Braille training with learning English as a second language. He volunteers with the NFB in political advocacy for justice and opportunities for the blind.
Michael loves attending plays and enjoying ethnic cuisines with his wife, revels in his daughter’s dance performances, and cheers frantically at his sons’ soccer games. The highlight of Saturday nights with his buddies is playing strategy games (that feature 20-page rulebooks).