Loretta A. Himmelsbach
As Executive Director, Loretta is responsible for the overall operation of the organization and reports directly to the nineteen-person Council. Loretta brings more than twenty-six years executive management experience and an overall 34 year career in non-profit organizations to the Council. In addition, Loretta has a wealth of experience in community collaboration skills which will enhance the Council’s mission and vision. Her interest in vision stems from family related experiences with macular degeneration and retinal disease. Loretta enjoys being involved in the community and is a member of Downtown Rotary (Madison), serves on a community solutions team with the United Way of Dane County, and is a board member with the Oregon Public Library. In Loretta’s spare time, she enjoys traveling, working (and playing) with her dachshunds, home projects and the performing arts. E-mail Loretta. Telephone: 608.237.8103
Marshall Flax
Marshall came to the Council in January of 1992 and is the Director of the Vision Rehabilitation Service. He is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Marshall provides low vision services and orientation and mobility services to people who have lost or are losing their sight. He is nationally recognized for his work in these areas and has authored several articles and co-authored a book on the subject. Marshall’s professional affiliations include Honorary Associate with the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Honorary Fellow with the Waisman Center at the UW-Madison, and he has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (2001-06). He enjoys wilderness canoe trips in the Boundary Waters/Quetico, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. E-mail Marshall. Telephone: 608.237.8107
Read more about Marshall here.
Deda Oatsvall
Deda joined the staff in December of 1997 as Finance and Benefits Coordinator. Her job duties include payroll, daily cash sales, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, assisting with annual reports, audits and general financial responsibility. In her spare time, Deda likes to go to the movies and play cards. E-mail Deda. Telephone: 608.237.8110
Kathi Koegle
Kathi serves as Director of Community Relations. She brings more than 20 years nonprofit experience in writing, editing, relationship building, communication and marketing. A former French teacher, Kathi “loves all things French.” In her free time, Kathi loves to bake, garden, read, volunteer and search for treasures at antique flea markets. E-mail Kathi. Telephone: 608.237.8111
Debby Anderson Meyer
Debby joined the Council in January 2011 as Fund Development Director. She spent the last eight years doing nonprofit outreach and development and before that, she worked in state government (Departments of Administration and Justice). Debby brings a passion for connecting people and funders to vital, necessary nonprofit work. She loves reading, quilting and spending time with family, while working on social justice change through other board work. Email Debby. Telephone: 608.237.8114
Brent Perzentka
Brent has been a member of staff since 2003 and works in the Sharper Vision Store. Having grown up in Madison with two visually impaired parents, Brent brings first-hand experience to the job. An all-around athletic guy, he enjoys basketball and baseball and plays in leagues in the Madison area. E-mail Brent. Telephone: 608.237.8105
Barb Weiss
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Barb moved to Madison in 1990 after spending seven years in Wausau. She got her degree at Cleveland State University and has a strong sales and marketing background. Barb served as Marketing Director at a materials handling company in Ohio. She has owned several businesses, ranging from a florist shop to an interior décor boutique, to a pressure sensitive paper manufacturing company. She serves us as Administrative Manager, which encompasses website, social media, events, volunteers and supervisory duties. Her leisure activities and hobbies include: entertaining, baking, gardening, treasure hunting at antiques flea markets, and traveling. Barb joined the Council staff in March 2010. E-mail Barb. Telephone: 608.237.8115
Ray Cubberly
Ray came to the Council in February of 2007 as a Program Assistant through Age Advantage, the Older Worker Program. He was hired as a permanent staff member in November of 2007. His duties include various database maintenance activities such as entering and acknowledging donations, keeping the newsletter mailing list current, recording and reporting monthly volunteer hours, and various spreadsheet projects. In his spare time Ray enjoys movies, music, nature trails, and day trips. E-mail Ray. Telephone: 608.237.8104
Jean Kalscheur
Jean enjoys her work as a Vision Rehabilitation Teacher at the Council. She has been an occupational therapist for many years, and that knowledge base and skill set are serving her well. She was born and raised in southern Wisconsin and earned her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison and her graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She enjoys reading and beading. E-mail Jean. Telephone: 608.237.8106
Patrick Sweeney
Patrick joined the staff in 2009 as a Project Manager for the Council. He has taken on a number of projects including docuScan, a website redesign, and assorted IT projects. Patrick also provides Assistive Technology training on screen-reading and screen-magnification software. In his spare time Patrick enjoys reading and watching the Brewers.
Heather Buggs
Heather joined the staff in August of 2007. Heather answers the phone, takes orders, and assists in the Sharper Vision Store. Heather grew up in Madison surrounded by many blind and visually impaired people; she brings knowledge and experience to the job. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outside. E-mail Heather. Telephone: 608.237.8101
Judith Rasmussen
She has studied French, Spanish and Arabic. She's a massage therapist, and she loves to get her hands dirty. Judith Rasmussen joined the Council staff in August of 2008. She's no stranger to our organization, as she has purchased items from the Sharper Vision Store, had a booth at a few of the macular degeneration symposia, and received orientation and mobility training over the years from Marshall Flax. Hers is the voice you'll often hear if you call the Council office. An avid flower enthusiast, she has eight orchid plants. Pottery is another pastime she has enjoyed. E-mail Judith. Telephone: 608.237.8101
Virginia DeBlaey
Virginia works for the Council part-time each week as a Vision Rehabilitation Teacher. She was a member of the Council for nine years, serving as President and on its Board of Directors. Virginia also belongs to the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Midwest Association for the Blind. She was employed as a Vision Rehabilitation Teacher for the blind by the State of Wisconsin in Milwaukee for 24 years. After retiring she worked at the Center for Deaf/Blind adults for four years. Virginia lives with her mischievous cat, AJ and enjoys working for the Council. E-mail Virginia. Telephone: 608.237.8116
Staff Members
