About East Texas Lighthouse

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a proud federal contractor, and a Department of Defense supplier. We fulfill our mission of empowering the blind through two divisions of our company which include a manufacturing operation (Horizon Industries) and our community rehabilitation facility (Client Services). Company wide, we are the largest employer of those who are blind in East Texas. Purchases from Horizon Industries fuel both jobs in that manufacturing setting and a portion of the funds needed to run the Client Services division.

Client Services

Our Client Services division is located at 411 W. Front St. in Tyler and provides rehabilitation, education, training and employment services. The 8,000 sq. ft. facility includes an independent living training apartment, fully equipped computer labs, and low vision store.

Horizon Industries

Our Horizon Industries division a 92,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and 55,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Tyler. We are one of the largest converters of industrial wiping towels & paracord for the US government through the AbilityOne Program and are strong Texas State Use partners. Our quality products can be purchased by anyone, and those purchases directly support our mission of empowering the blind.

Our Team

Alicia Lansford

Vice President/Chief Mission Officer

Alicia has been with East Texas Lighthouse since 2014 and served in various leadership roles. With a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, she is a critical thinker, problem solver and advocate. She is a proven leader who specializes in customer and client service. She is passionate about the work of East Texas Lighthouse to empower the blind on multiple fronts. Alicia also enjoys volunteering at animal rescues and coaching local church sports teams.

Amy Anderson

Director of Client Services

Amy has been with East Lighthouse since 2015 and served in the field of office administration for 10 years. Her experience in customer service, medical billing, and marketing make her a dynamic asset to our team. Amy most enjoys making a difference in the lives of those who are new to losing their sight and providing them with the training and resources to maintain their independence. She says meeting new and amazing people every day is the best part of the job. In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading, being active in her church, and spending quality time with her family.

Shirley Gee

Direct Services Coordinator

Shirley is responsible for the day-to-day management of clients. Shirley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Community Health Worker License from Jarvis Christian College. Shirley has more than 10 years of case management experience, working with agencies in the East Texas area. She takes pride in building a positive rapport with her clients and especially enjoys working with individuals to overcome challenges to become fully independent. When not working, Shirley enjoys karaoke with friends, going to church, and being involved in her two sons’ sports activities.

Brittney Walters

Assistive Technology Instructor

Brittney joined The Lighthouse team in early 2020 as an Apprentice for the Technology Department and now serves as the Assistive Technology Instructor. Brittney graduated with a Bachelor’s in History from UT Tyler with a minor in Education and has extensive knowledge of adaptive technology used by the blind and visually impaired. She holds certifications in both JAWS and ZoomText and instructs all of our professional development in technology courses. Brittney enjoys teaching students and thrives on increasing her knowledge to better teach and empower the blind and visually impaired. In her spare time, Brittney enjoys being with family and spending time with her dog, Holly.

Megan Aragon

Program Manager | Assistive Technology Training & Curriculum

Megan holds an MBA with a certification in Organization Development and Leadership. She has more than 10 years of experience in program development working with national level blind advocacy organizations and partners. Megan is Microsoft Office Master and ZoomText certified and instructs all professional development in technology courses we offer. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two children.

Meagan Brooks

Store and Office Manager

Meagan joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023, bringing more than 15 years of business management, customer service, and teaching experience. She has served on six international mission trips to Malawi, Africa, and coordinates children’s programs at her church. A passionate advocate for victims of trafficking and domestic violence, Meagan is excited to offer encouragement and hope through her work at The Lighthouse. Outside of work, she enjoys worship concerts and spending time with her family, dogs, and chickens.

Mary "MK" Kahrhoff

Program Manager | Education to Employment

MK joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023 and brings more than 15 years of disability services and advocacy experience. After five years as a special educator, she transitioned into disability legal advocacy, and later, higher education disability services. She is excited to join the East Texas Lighthouse Client Services team and for the opportunity to help empower clients to achieve their education and employment goals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her three rescue dogs.

Julie Henry

Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Julie has a bachelor’s degree in middle school education and a master’s degree in professional school counseling. She worked as a teacher, a school counselor, and an administrator for 20 years. She raised puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind for several years. Through this experience, she discovered orientation and mobility through the friends she met working with dog guide handlers. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University to become a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting and working her therapy dog.

Jenny Wood

Assistive Technology Instructor

Jenny brings over 10 years of experience in customer service, technical support, and quality control to the East Texas Lighthouse. Prior to joining our team, she demonstrated assistive technology for donors and clients at Envision Dallas. Through her personal journey with vision loss, she’s developed a passion for combining her love of technology with a heart for helping others rediscover independence. In her free time, Jenny enjoys music, reading, long walks, amateur radio, and spending time with her guide dog, Kylo. She’s been married for 23 years and has two college-aged children.

Lannette Burlingame

Program Manager | Expanded Core Curriculum & Independent Living

Lannette brings over 30 years of experience in education to the East Texas Lighthouse. After 22 years as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, she earned her master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on visual impairments. She later served as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and a VI Specialist at Region 7 ESC. Lannette first connected with East Texas Lighthouse in 2015 and has valued their partnership and support ever since. She’s passionate about helping children and families thrive. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, volunteering with her church, and serving on the boards of two orphan-care ministries.

Stephen Kohlhaas

Contract Services Coordinator

Stephen serves as the Contract Services Coordinator, managing client contracts and ensuring compliance with Texas Workforce Commission guidelines. He brings a versatile background in project controls, contract management, and regulatory compliance. Stephen is passionate about supporting individuals with visual impairments as they work toward greater independence, and he finds fulfillment in helping clients build confidence and achieve their goals. Originally from North Carolina, he has lived in East Texas most of his life and now calls Tyler home. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and friends and serving in his church community.

Antoinette Cervantes

Activities of Daily Living Instructor

Antoinette’s passion for teaching began after running her own café through the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. She loves helping clients build confidence and independence, which inspired her to join the East Texas Lighthouse and continue pursuing her O&M certification and a master’s in special education. Antoinette values being part of a supportive Client Services team and enjoys contributing to new programs and projects. Outside of work, she stays active with Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., supports the American Council of the Blind of Texas, and loves baking and watching movies.

Jeffree Hill

Low Vision Store Associate

Jeffree brings more than 10 years of experience in customer service and retail operations. Throughout his career, he has built strong client relationships and developed a reputation for effective problem-solving, de-escalation, and operational management. Prior to joining East Texas Lighthouse, he served as a Front Desk Manager at a large-scale resort, where he managed guest relations and oversaw a 500-square-foot marketplace.

Drawn to the organization’s mission and opportunity for personal and professional growth, Jeffree is passionate about making a positive impact in the community and contributing to the meaningful work ETLB provides. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and hanging out with his pitbull. His personal motto is, “Excellence is not an act, it’s a habit.” — Aristotle

Our Board of Directors

Catherine Harrison
Clay Dickeson
Cody Ables
Gavin Rasco
Hans Schuricht
Joe Thigpen
Justin Ward
Kent Harris
Rachel Means
Rea Boudreaux
Ron Shaffer

Executive Leadership

Leona Holloman, CEO
Michael Hubbard – VP of Finance/CFO
Alicia Lansford – Chief Mission Officer
Heath Honzell – VP of Operations, Horizon Industries
Lee Tillson – SVP of Sales/Business Development, Horizon Industries