Dan Youman recently retired as an Operations Director at Texas Instruments in Dallas. He has an extensive background in Semiconductor Operations Management and currently holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelors in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois. Dan and his wife Deb, have three children, Jennifer, Daniel, and Jessica. All 3 children are married so they are expecting grandchildren soon.

Keith is recently retired after a 36 year career in Telecommunications. He held executive positions leading R&D for companies such as Nortel, Tekelec, GENBAND and Ribbon Communications. Keith has an MBA from University of Dallas and a Bachelors in Computer Science from Michigan State University. Keith and his wife Michele have 4 children, Michael, Steven, Katherine, and Lauren who all reside in Plano.

Mark is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Aberfoyle Associates, a Plano based cybersecurity consulting firm. Mark is a Board Member of the North Texas ISSA, was recently inducted into Infragard, and is called upon periodically to speak at cybersecurity industry events. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Clemson University and a Master's Degree in Telecommunications Management from Oklahoma State University. Mark is married with three children.

Don Noblit has served in the financial services industry for 40 years and has held an insurance license for 30 years. He is an honors graduate of the University of North Texas School of Business, and has a Master's Degree in Financial Services from American College in Philadelphia. He holds the nationally recognized designations of Certified Financial Planner® and Accredited Estate Planner®, along with many insurance and security licenses. His life mate, Barbara, has been by his side for 43 years and is an integral part of all endeavors. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren.

Fran is a Licensed Professional Counselor DBA Insight Counseling. She has been self-employed for 8 years, working with individuals, couples and families. Her mission and goal is to help people resolve their issues in a Christ centered atmosphere. Fran also serves in the local Richardson Lions Club. When she is not working, Fran attends Create Church and a weekly Bible study. Fran enjoys serving others and making a difference in her community.

Laura Turner is a Finance and Operations Director at Texas Instruments in Dallas. She has held numerous challenging and exciting roles in multiple business units and manufacturing in her 20 years within TI, Laura has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Texas A&M and currently supports other programs such as the Women’s Initiative within Texas Instruments.

David Jeppson received his Masters in Education from Cal State University at Los Angeles where he learned to work with persons who are blind, specifically instructing them in cane travel as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS). For 25 years he was the Field Director for the Division for Blind Services, first in Dallas and then in Fort Worth, where he retired in September 2013. He is also the founder of Experts On Blindness, an international consulting firm. David and his wife, Meredith, are the parents of 6 children and have 13 grandchildren.

Dr. Belinda Rudinger has spent over 15 years in the field of special education as a teacher, mentor, consultant, adjunct professor, and RESNA-certified assistive technology professional (ATP). She serves as the president-elect for the Texas chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), and as chairperson for the International Services and Global Division of AER. Her career highlights include founding the first Dallas Area Braille Challenge, receiving the Sammie K. Rankin award from Texas AER, and having her collaborative work published in the British Journal for Visual Impairment.

Melinda Hocking is HR Operations Manager for the Americas at Texas Instruments in Dallas. She has held various Human Resources roles over her 25 years with TI including Training & Development and HR Business Partner roles supporting several manufacturing sites including the start-up facility in Richardson. Melinda’s current role is in Compensation and Benefits with responsibility for managing shared services operations for the Americas. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Texas Tech University. Melinda and her husband Ron have a daughter Grace who is in college.

Lauren is a college student working towards a degree in computer science. She was born with an eye condition called Optic Nerve Hypoplasia which has caused her to be visually impaired from birth. Rather than viewing it as a disability however, she uses it as an Avenue for growth. Her goal is to work along side tech companies in order to improve the accessibility of their products for people who are blind or visually impaired. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, crafting, making music, and learning about technology.

Eric Yarberry is the Director of Education and Training at World Services for the Blind. At WSB, Eric oversees the instruction and implementation of the career training and life skills programs. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Professional and Technical Writing. He enjoys volunteering his time to the Arkansas Association for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as the Arkansas School for the Blind Alumni Association. Eric is an avid outdoorsman and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor. He lives in Little Rock with his lovely wife, Emily, and his Leader Dog, Hank.

Jose Martinez is a technology trainer and evaluator at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the blind, where he works to ensure that blind individuals are trained and able to use their computer’s assistive technology. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in public relations from Texas State University. Jose was recently elected to the position of Committee Chair for the Disability Access Advisory Committee representing District 9 in San Antonio, Texas. He is the host of the blindness related podcast on YouTube called the Blind Beat and moonlights as AZ Martinez, a DJ in and around the San Antonio area. His passions include advocating for the blind, helping people, and playing music.

Christy retired in early 2019 from Region 10 Education Service Center, after 35 years in the field of education for students with visual impairments. She received her undergraduate and Master’s degree from Stephen F Austin State University and is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS). She is an active member of Lions Clubs International and Texas Association of Blind Athletes, and regularly competes in triathlons and other outdoor adventures. Her and husband John have two children, three grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Cooper.

Jennifer Keen has been in the Assistive Technology industry since 2011. She owns a small training company and has a contract with the State of Texas to train their consumers on the adaptive software. It was a natural fit for her role with Computers for the Blind. In her spare times, Jennifer enjoys raising her 3 children, watching movies, and reading.