Summer 2006

Paul Fletcher, product development manager and charter member of the Lighthouse Legacy Society.

“I identify as a renaissance person who likes diversity and likes to investigate things,” says Paul Fletcher, product development manager. “Here at the Lighthouse, I’ve really been able to diversify.”

Paul started work at the Lighthouse thirty-one years ago. What originally began as a temporary job here soon developed into a deeper commitment. “My mother-in-law told me about a temp job for someone on maternity leave. I didn’t know anything about blindness,” Paul remembers. “Once I started working here, I asked some possible future employers to call me back. By the time they called, I was fully entrenched in the mission.”

Paul started as a trainer supporting Lighthouse employees with developmental disabilities. “I was teaching home and job skills in that program. From there, I went out into departmental management.” During his tenure here, Paul managed most areas of the Lighthouse including the machine shop. He went on to spend ten years in product development and quality control.

“Now I’m the product development manager. I get to wear just one hat,” he says. “I identify products and services that would be good work opportunities for blind, Deaf-Blind, and multi-handicapped people, which supports the mission. I investigate modern practices and see if they are adaptable to our practices.

“I have the best job in the world. I get to reverse engineer, figure out how to make things and figure out how things are made. [I’ve worked with] metal working, printing, house wares, paper converting,” he says. “When I was a small child, I used to tear everything apart and figure out how it was made. Now I get paid to do that. As my mother will tell you, I am now more successful at putting them back together.”

In his years at the Lighthouse, Paul has been a part of growing employment opportunities at the Lighthouse. “I helped bring in the first injection mold machines. We now have eight,” he says. Another dramatic change Paul has seen is the development of assistive computer technology. “The advances in technology have been really fun to work with and see the success it has opened up.”

Paul also saw the evolution of Lighthouse training programs and support services. “When I started working here, there were Deaf-Blind people, but not services. Now we have computer classes, the retreat, interpreting staff. Our program has grown so much.”

Now Paul is looking towards the future. “I’m very encouraged by the addition of [General Manager of Operations] Pat O’Hara and our commitment to becoming a world class manufacturer. It will help us expand.” He continues, “I’m very excited about the hydroform equipment [for making canteen cups] and advances we’re making in that arena. We’re ever expanding our capabilities.”

As a member of the Lighthouse Legacy Society, Paul has made a personal investment to ensure that the Lighthouse continues expanding its opportunities. He has included a bequest to the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation in his will.

“I really like the idea of the Legacy Society and the Foundation that continues to support the good work here, a fund that is ongoing,” Paul says. “I’m donating to the future success of the Lighthouse program. This fund will help us step into new areas that are going to help us stay cutting edge like the Deaf-Blind program here. Investments in capital, equipment, technology -- we can’t expect all that to come from sales.”

“I really am a firm believer that where you put your money is where your heart is. Since my heart is here, I thought I’d put my money here,” he concludes.

Previous Page | Horizons Main Page | Home