Beyond Vision Board Names Rob Buettner as CEO –
VP of Relationships & Business Services to step into lead role at nonprofit
Milwaukee, WI. July 1, 2024: The Board of Directors of Beyond Vision have named Rob Buettner as the organization’s new President and CEO. Buettner’s leadership will represent consistency and growth for the nonprofit focused on employment opportunities for people who are blind.
Working in the field of blindness and vision impairment for over 25 years, he is a natural fit. For the past 11 years, Buettner has served as VP of Relationships & Business Services at Beyond Vision. Prior to his time at Beyond Vision, he spent over 11 years working at Vision Forward, an organization providing services for people with visual impairments.
Mike Chew, Board Chair for Beyond Vision, said, “I am very excited about the appointment of Rob to President and CEO. I am confident that his leadership will continue the history of success for Beyond Vision and the growth in employment for people who are blind or visually impaired.”
Buettner takes over the role immediately with some overlap with retiring President & CEO, Jim Kerlin, stepping down on July 19. The transition is planned to be fluid for the organization’s team. Since Kerlin announced his retirement in February, Beyond Vision engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for his replacement. Because of Buettner’s knowledge and mission focus, he was the perfect candidate.
“It’s been my honor to carry the torch of leading Beyond Vision for 17 years. I couldn’t be happier than to pass it along to Rob.” Retiring President & CEO, Jim Kerlin also commented, “He’s the right person to guide Beyond Vision to the next level of growth.”
Based on Buettner’s personal experience of vision loss, he has a passion to demonstrate that people who are blind or visually impaired have earned access to career opportunities and upward mobility.
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About Rob Buettner: Since he was 26 years old, Buettner has been legally blind from Stargardt Macular Dystrophy. A Milwaukee native, he lives in the Milwaukee area with his wife and two children. Learn more about Rob Buettner from his interview on the Heard & Empowered podcast here: https://heardandempowered.org/hr-advocacy-rob-buettner-beyond-vision/
About Beyond Vision: Beyond Vision, a 501(c)3 social enterprise, was founded in 1903 with the mission of providing employment opportunities to people who are legally blind. Beyond Vision continues to reduce the obstacles that people with vision loss face finding employment, achieving upward mobility and gaining the confidence to thrive. Visit www.beyondvision.com to learn more.
About Kittleman & Associates: Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations and others. For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com/
Contact:
Diana Voigt, Director of Marketing & Communications
Beyond Vision
Phone; 414-778-5800
Email: dvoigt@beyondvision.com