Management Team
Virginia A. Jacko, President and CEO
Virginia A. Jacko is a blind visionary in a sighted world, who attributes
her continuing success as an experienced executive to her vocational
rehabilitation at Miami Lighthouse, where she came as a client in 2001.
Gradual vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa forced upon her the
realization that to maintain her career as a successful executive, she
would need vocational rehabilitation. After gaining her rehabilitation
skills at Miami Lighthouse, Ms. Jacko became a spokesperson for Miami
Lighthouse, a member of the Board of Directors, treasurer, and Acting
President and CEO before her permanent appointment.
Virginia told her story in a book written in 2009 with Doug Eadie, The
Blind Visionary, available from Governance Edge Press at
www.theblindvisionary.com
Before coming to Miami, she was a successful financial executive at Purdue
University, where she served for 24 years. With the vocational
rehabilitation she received at Miami Lighthouse, Ms. Jacko has been able
to apply her acumen in the financial, managerial and fundraising arenas in
her role as CEO of Miami Lighthouse.
Under her tenure, Miami Lighthouse has achieved a coveted four-star
ranking from Charity Navigator, now for the third consecutive year. This
ranking, which only 13 percent of the nation's not-for-profits achieve for
three years running, attests to the organizations sound fiscal management,
responsible use of donor dollars and financial strength.
With Ms. Jacko's leadership, new programs in music production, ceramics,
and low vision enhancement have been introduced to benefit clients in many
ways, along with expanded year-round programs for children learning
Braille and for blind babies. The music program in particular is
nationally recognized for innovation, inclusion and providing skills that
lead to mainstream employment. Donor contributions have more than doubled;
Ms. Jacko nurtured the largest single-donor gifts in the organization’s
history, a $1.1 million matching grant from philanthropist Gloria Martin
and the $1 million Sash A Spencer Challenge, which concluded in 2009 with
an additional half million in matching funds raised. A significant
expansion to the Miami Lighthouse facility for the Blind Babies Program,
music production, and fitness was celebrated in 2007. That same year Ms.
Jacko played a leading role in a merger with the Heiken Children's Vision
Program, which enabled Miami Lighthouse to expand its mission to help
thousands of disadvantaged children who have no other resources for vision
care.
The Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors unanimously approved the concept
for the Miami Lighthouse Center of Excellence in Low Vision Rehabilitation
following Ms. Jacko's research into the most pressing needs of Miami
Lighthouse clients and blind and visually impaired people in our
community. As a Center of Excellence, Miami Lighthouse is receiving
national recognition for training, research, eye wellness and
rehabilitation.
Ms. Jacko has been a guest speaker for local business groups, chambers of
commerce and at national conferences on issues affecting the blind and
visually impaired.
Publications/Other Media:
The Blind Visionary, with Doug Eadie, Governance Edge Press, 2009.
"Leading and Managing Governance Change," with Miami Lighthouse Board
Chairman William R. Roy and consultant Doug Eadie, NonProfit World,
May/June 2008.
“Intervention through Art for Adults Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired,”
with Amy R. McKenzie, Ed.D., and Tatiana Palma, B.S., which appeared in
the February 2009 issue of the Journal of the Association for Education
and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, February 2009.
Webinar for snpo.org moderated with Doug Eadie: "Building a Rock-Solid
Partnership with Your Board," June 2009.
"Building a Rock-Solid Board/CEO Partnership: Talking with CEO Virginia
Jacko" by Doug Eadie appeared in the May/June 2009 issue of Nonprofit
World.
Awards:
Nancy Hughes Community Commitment Award presented at the Miami-Dade County
Days Awards Luncheon in Tallahassee, April 2010
Business Leader Media’s Movers & Shakers Award, 2009
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women of Leadership Award, 2009
Miami-Dade County Parks In the Company of Women Award, 2009
Finalist, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Health Care Heroes Award, 2009
Health Foundation of South Florida Concern Award, 2008
AXA Advisory Business Woman of the Year, Public Service/Non-Profit, 2008
Women’s Power Caucus Quiet Storm Achiever, 2008
South Florida Business Journal Business Woman of the Year, Non-Profit,
2007, American Red Cross Sarah Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Award, 2006
Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) Horizon Award, 2006
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Apollo Award, 2005
Service:
Trustee, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
Trustee, American Printing House for the Blind
Board Director, Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB)
United Way Early Childhood Center of Excellence Advisory Committee
Rotary Club of Miami and the Miami Lions Club
Chair, Advisory Council on Disabilities, American Red Cross of Greater
Miami and the Keys
Board Director Lions for the Blind
Ed Largaespada, Chief Financial Officer
Ed Largaespada joined Miami Lighthouse in May 2008. He has more than 10
years experience as Chief Financial Officer at Switchboard of Miami and at
Bayview Center. His responsibilities include supervision of all business
operations, budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
A Certified Management Accountant, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree
from Zamorano University, a Master of Business Administration from Incae
Business School and a Master of Economics from Florida International
University.
Carol Brady-Simmons, Director of Client and Vision Enhancement Services
Carol Brady-Simmons has been with Miami Lighthouse for more than 21 years
and brings vibrant energy and creativity to the many projects she
undertakes. She has served in many capacities during her tenure at the
Lighthouse, including Chair of Orientation and Mobility, Interim Director
of Adult Services, Director of Children’s Services and the Low Vision
Program and now is our Director of Client programs and Vision Enhancement
Services.
Ms. Simmons received her Associate of Arts in Elementary Education from
Miami-Dade College, a Bachelor of Science in Visual Disabilities,
Orientation and Mobility, a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Services and
Studies, and a minor in Gerontology from Florida State University.
Jessica Cerda-Antomarchi, Senior Development Officer
Jessica Cerda-Antomarchi has been working in the non-profit sector for
over 10 years and brings extensive experience in managing the Department
of Development and Special Events. Prior to joining the Miami Lighthouse,
she was the Director of Development for CHARLEE Homes for Children and The
Victory School for Children with Autism.
Ms. Cerda-Antomarchi received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the
University of Miami.
Jeff Rabalais, Facilities and Transportation Manager
Jeff Rabalais brings to the Lighthouse academic training in architecture
and extensive experience in facilities management, space planning, project
management, events and food service.
The skills and knowledge he has obtained throughout his career allow him
to manage a broad range of services that span client transportation,
building maintenance, janitorial needs, in-house catering, disaster
preparation and building compliance to maintain a safe, clean, secure
environment for our clients, employees and visitors.
Mr. Rabalais obtained his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the
University of Louisiana. .
Mabel Lopez, Human Resources Manager
Mabel Lopez joined Miami Lighthouse in January 2007 and brings more than
10 years of experience. Her knowledge of human resources includes employee
relations, recruitment, benefits administration, HRIS, policies and
procedures, and workers’ compensation.
Ms. Lopez received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the
University of Puerto Rico.
Jessica Joseph, Executive Assistant
Jessica Joseph supports the President /CEO and Board of Directors by
coordinating Board and committee meetings, overseeing and directing
correspondence, and maintaining the CEO’s calendar of appointments. She
joined Miami Lighthouse in 2005 and brings her experience as a supervisor
from her previous position at Thyssen Krupp Elevator. Ms. Joseph is a
Notary Public for the State of Florida.
Sharon Caughill, Special Projects Manager - Center of Excellence
Sharon Caughill joined the Lighthouse in March, 2007. Her previous
positions include extensive experience as an administrative and executive
assistant. At the Lighthouse she assists the President/CEO with special
projects and with the day-to-day activities of the executive office. Ms.
Caughill received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University, and
holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from the State University of
New York at Alfred.
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