Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis
John McDermid is currently serving as the Controller at Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis, where John evaluates internal controls and coordinates with external auditors during the annual audit. Prior to this, John held various finance and accounting positions, including Finance/Accounting Supervisor at Alkem Laboratories Ltd. and Senior Accountant at previous organizations. John has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Arkansas and has experience in financial reporting, budget management, and process improvement.
Lighthouse for the Blind - St. Louis
Lighthouse for the Blind is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a socio-economic mission to provide employment and support services for adults and children who are legally blind. The Lighthouse manufactures, fills, and packages a diverse line of products for the U.S. Government and commercial customers. the Lighthouse holds government contracts covering over 200 products. Our product mix includes Aerosol Cleaners, Bio-based Cleaners, Liquid Cleaners, Office Cleaners, Maintenance Products, Repellent, Paints and Coatings, and large-scale Medical first aid kits. Our customers include Defense Logistics Agency, the United States Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA), General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Postal Service. We have extensive lab facilities, and to our knowledge, we are the only aerosol manufacturing facility in the world operated primarily by blind individuals. To broaden our customer base and provide additional employment opportunities to the blind community, the Lighthouse initiated a strategy to acquire assets of commercial companies. Between 2014 and 2018, the Lighthouse acquired four commercial brands – Quake Kare®, Tear Mender®, RapidFix®, and Badge Magic®/CosBond®. Proceeds from product sales contribute to 23 community outreach programs that provide assistance and support to children and adults who are visually impaired in Missouri and Western Illinois. Our “See the Future” outreach programs assist students in the areas of technology adaptations, activities of daily living skill development, scholarships to educational and recreational camps including Camp Barnabas in Purdy, MO, and Space Camp in Huntsville, AL, and a mobile low vision clinic for children.