You must click "check-in" and unmute for the video to display during the live session.

Description: A panel discussion with several VSA member CEO's who have been through the succession planning process and CEO Transition moderated by Mike Gilliam of the San Antonio Lighthouse sharing specifics on successes, failures and the preparation required to ensure your organization survives your eventual departure (even if it is years away).

Discussion points will include:

• Specific examples of various types of transitions and the learnings from them

• How to put a documented plan in place

• How much notice you should give

• What kind and how much overlap should there be

• Creating a schedule/timeline listing all of the activities associated with replacing you

• Positioning your job as a "plum" locally and nationally

• What your board should do to ensure the compensation is competitive and attractive to potential candidates and that they are an appealing "boss"

Mike Gilliam, CEO, San Antonio Lighthouse: 

Michael N. Gilliam is the president and chief executive officer for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired, responsible for all operations. Mike began his employment with the Lighthouse just over fourteen years ago, after having spent three years on the Board of Directors and 31 years with SBC/at&t prior to that---retiring as Senior Vice President Operations after 22 inter-city moves. During his tenure, the SALBVI has received the following awards: -Express News' "Best Place to Work in San Antonio", San Antonio Business Journal's "Best Place to Work in San Antonio", Texas Monthly Magazine's Best Place to Work in Texas", AARP's "Best Place to Work for People Over 50", Boeing's "National Diversity Supplier of the Year", UTSA's "Most Ethical Company in San Antonio", National Industries for the Blind's "Fastest Growing Lighthouse in the Nation", Non-Profit Resource Center's "Top 50 Non-Profits in the Nation" and many others. 

He has held multiple leadership positions on the boards of the Lighthouse, as well as National Industries for the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind, SA Downtown Rotary and the SA Non-Profit Council. Mike has been recognized as "San Antonio's Outstanding Non-Profit Leader", SA Business Journal's "Non-Profit CEO of the Year", "The US President's Committee's National Outstanding Non-Profit Leader of the Year", VisionServe Alliance's "National Excellence In Leadership" Award and San Antonio Non-Profit Councils "Non-Profit CEO of the Year".

Mr. Gilliam is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a degree in civil engineering. He and his wife, Marlos, have two daughters and enjoy spending time with their six grandkids, college sports, antiquing and international travel.

Marcus Manders, CEO, ABVI and Director of Supply Chain, Operations and Sustainability of Mary Free Bed:

Adopted just before his 13^th birthday, Marcus Manders and two of his biological siblings were raised by a strong, single mother in West Michigan. He earned his Associates in Business from Grand Rapids Community College, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University, Master's in Healthcare Administration from Grand Valley State University and Master's Certification in Supply Chain Management from the Eli Broad College of Business from Michigan State University. With over 12 years of experience working in non-profits, 9 years with Mary Free Bed (MFB), he has helped job seekers and new employees find success in the workplace – working in Human Resources before making the jump to Supply Chain. While continuing his tenure at MFB, he became the Executive Director of Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ABVI) as of January 1^st, 2020. When not supporting ABVI and the Hospital, he enjoys being the Husband of a wonderful woman and father of two amazing daughters under the age of 4. In his spare time he is playing with his daughters, running, working out and tackling the honey-do list.

Kyle Johnson, CEO, Lighthouse Central Florida/ Lighthouse Works:

Kyle Johnson is the President & CEO of Lighthouse Central Florida (LCF) and Lighthouse Works (LW). Kyle leads the executive leadership team for both organizations and is the chief spokesperson representing LCF and LW at the local, state, and national level. Lighthouse Works is a local 501c3 social enterprise subsidiary company (under LCF) working to achieve a double-bottom line: creating competitive employment opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired, while generating revenue to support LCF's core mission.