Winter 2008

George Jacobson, a guide dog lover, pets Louie at the Lighthouse employee summer pizza party

For almost forty years, George “Jake” Jacobson has led the way to increasing opportunities for people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities. On January 15, 2008, he will officially retire from his position as CEO and president.

“George has been a tremendous leader in the field of blind employment for many years. He has served on the board of National Industries for the Blind, our trade association, and was a founding board member of the National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind,” says Kirk Adams, president-elect, who will be stepping into the role of CEO on January 15. “Executives from many of our sister agencies have visited Seattle Lighthouse over the years and learned some of the ways we have adapted our workplace to ensure the success of blind employees. In this way, what George has accomplished here has helped to create opportunities for blind people across the country.”

He continues, “At the same time, he has done amazing things in moving our organization forward. When he came on board in 1968 the Lighthouse was a very modest organization, with an annual budget under $2 million. Last year we surpassed $37.5 million in revenues, and we are one of the dozen largest nonprofits in the Puget Sound area. We are also the premier organization in the country in terms of hiring, training, and supporting employees who are Deaf-Blind.  The thirty-year history of our Deaf-Blind program coincides almost exactly with George's tenure as president and CEO.”

When Jacobson first arrived at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in 1968 as director of marketing, Lighthouse operations centered on making textiles and handicrafts with a small aerospace manufacturing component. “Over time, we weeded out the textile piece because it wasn’t good for blind employment. We slowly transitioned into hardware items like we do today,” Jacobson recalls.

When he stepped into his role as CEO and president in 1979, Jacobson’s highest priority was ensuring the organization was healthy and growing. “My philosophy is that if you keep the organization healthy, then the mission will happen,” he says.

Jacobson was determined to diversify Lighthouse manufacturing and employment opportunities. During his tenure, the Lighthouse expanded to include numerous product lines manufactured under the AbilityOne program, known at that time as JWOD, which administers government purchases of products and services from agencies employing people who are blind or have other serious disabilities. “George was quick to pursue opportunities as they presented themselves to us,” says Doug Klan, Lighthouse board member who served as board chairman from 2003 to 2007. “He knew we needed to grow.”

 “We’ve never hesitated to go out and do new things, even when they were beyond our area of expertise,” Jacobson says.  “A good example of that is our canteen line. We received a grant from the Department of Services for the Blind and we bought our first injection mold machine. As a result of that, we got into the canteen business. It took us two to three years before we knew what we were doing. That was the forerunner to where we are today. The result is that it created all these jobs and opportunities, and it has become the backbone of our organization.”

(left to right) Paula Hoffman, Jenné Chalfant, and Jacobson at a special Deaf-Blind Community Class "Farewell to Jake" party

“When I first came here in 1968, we had about fifteen people working on the Boeing contract using manual equipment like old punch-presses and manual milling machines,” Jacobson remembers. “Developing the relationship with Boeing was not a difficult task because you have such a great audience. The big turn-on for them is what we do, our mission.”

With the advent of early assistive technology like direct voice reads-outs which electronically read contents of digital machines or calipers, skilled machining jobs became accessible. “I remember going to George to ask for a check to pay for the first direct voice read-out,” says Tom McCrary, production supervisor. “I had no problem getting it funded. If it was for a blind person, then George wanted it here. That piece of equipment really changed everything.”

Jim Smith, machine set-up, agrees. “We are on the cutting edge in our machine shop today because [George] said yes all those many years ago, and we’re not done yet! He really did a lot for this organization.”

“The assistive technology was huge, in terms of providing jobs and upward mobility,” says Jacobson. “That will continue to grow. The bottom line is that the employment and training opportunities here have changed thousands of lives. Today, blind and Deaf-Blind people I have worked with are retiring with pension and benefits, which is a major accomplishment for quality of life. Seeing so many people overcome such adversity is the single thing that has kept me going.”

“When I think about George, I think about how well he knows the employees and how kind he is,” says Klan. “In all the years I have known him, he has been totally committed to the mission. He wanted to create meaningful, fulfilling employment for blind people.”

Klan adds, “When he planned to retire, he knew he had to develop good people, which he has done.”

Jacobson (left) and President-elect Kirk Adams (right)at December's Lighthouse board meeting

“George leaves a lasting legacy of achievement behind him,” Adams says. “I believe that underlying all of his successes is the simple fact that he truly understands that blind people are just as capable as their sighted peers to be successful and competent both personally and professionally. George understands that blind people are merely people: with the same hopes, dreams, aspirations, and talents as all other people. It is this heartfelt belief that has allowed George to build Seattle Lighthouse into the incredible organization it is today.”

Previous Page | Horizons Main Page | Home