Tim Tegge, of Bowling Green, has been named as the new executive director of The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, effective Nov. 1.
The Sight Center, a nonprofit organization serving people who are blind or visually impaired since 1923, made the selection after an extensive search process.
According to Diane Ohns, president of The Sight Center Board of Trustees, “Tim’s experience as a former client, two-term board member and seven-year member of The Sight Center staff allows a unique perspective for his next role.”
Tegge, who is considered legally blind, has lived most of his life with a severe vision impairment called Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye condition similar to macular degeneration in which central vision loss occurs.
Tegge’s connection to The Sight Center began in the 1990s as a client and later as a two-term member of the board of trustees. In 2015, he joined The Sight Center staff as development coordinator and has been responsible for fundraising, marketing, community outreach and branding efforts.
During his 35-year professional career he has served in a variety of leadership positions in private sector, nonprofit, and community organizations. Prior to working at The Sight Center, Tegge served locally as the director for United Way in Wood County and nationally as director of member services for the National Association of Local Boards of Health. Earlier this year, Tegge was selected as a mentor in the National Blind Leaders Development Program, a year-long project of the American Foundation for the Blind.
Commenting on his new role, Tegge said, “I look forward to leading this great team as we celebrate our 100th anniversary next year.” Reflecting on his professional journey, he added, “I can’t think of a better way to use my life experiences than to empower others who live with vision loss.”
Interim Executive Director Dani Moran said of Tegge’s selection, “We need a person with brave ideas for our future, unwavering commitment to our mission, to people who are visually impaired and to the bigger community we are a part of. We definitely have that in Tim.”
Moran returns to her prior role as the program manager for the Sight Center. Moran served in both roles of interim director and program manager during the 10-month search process. Speaking of Moran, Diane Ohns said, “Her leadership and dedication to the center, its employees, and the community is very much appreciated.”
The Sight Center’s mission to empower independence and enrich the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired, guides it to offer a unique blend of programs and services that can help people of all ages work, learn, play, and live independently with permanent vision loss. With certified and credentialed staff, national accreditation, and nearly a century of blindness and low vision expertise, The Sight Center stands alone as the only comprehensive low vision resource center in the region. Founded in 1923 as the non-profit Toledo Society for the Blind, the agency serves an 18-county region in Northwest Ohio as well as parts of Southeast Michigan and Central Ohio. For more information visit www.sightcentertoledo.org or call 419-720-3937.
