Dan Sippl of Eau Claire, a member of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired has been named the 2007 Randolph-Sheppard Vendor of the Year by the American Council of the Blind.  The award was presented at the annual Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America convention, held this year in Minneapolis the week of July fourth.

In speaking about the honor of receiving the award, Sippl modestly acknowledges his extraordinary involvement in many volunteer committees and activities that promote employment of the blind and visually impaired.  Karen V. Majkrzak, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, states, “Dan’s practical business sense has been a welcome addition to the Council’s oversight of its programs and services.  He is an outstanding and active Council member.

Dan became a blind vendor in the Business Enterprise Program in 1999 and became a Randolph-Sheppard Vendor of America member in 2000. He was elected to the RSVA Board in 2005, and currently is the chair of the Elected Committee of Blind Vendors. The former diesel and auto mechanic worked for Wisconsin state government as a consumer protection investigator for twenty-one years until declining vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa progressed to impair his reading ability.  He then began what has now grown to be ownership of Sip N’Snack Vending in Eau Claire.

Dan’s civic activities include: Past President of the Eau Claire Area Art League, Past President of Eau Claire Golden K Kiwanis Club, Past Secretary of the Wisconsin Elected Committee of Blind Vendors, and currently Chair of that Committee.

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired is a private, not-for-profit organization.  Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services advocating legislation and educating the general public.  It is funded by an annual drive, private grants, gifts and bequests.  The Council was founded in 1952 and is proudly serving Wisconsin in its 55 th year.