About Us

Cindy A.

IBVI team member since 2008

Our Mission. Our Promise.

At Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI), our marching orders are straightforward. They’re what make us who we are. And they can be distilled into five simple core statements:

Create and grow employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Provide the best, most cost-effective industrial supplies and friendly customer service.
Be the leading voice in educating businesses on how to create, design, and build accessible workplaces for the blind and visually impaired.
Balance job creation, capital investments, and profitability while adhering to regulatory requirements. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Create an open, collaborative environment that fosters innovative business ideas, engages employees, and adds a true sense of belonging.

Our Core Values

Support and Celebrate Upward Mobility
Provide World Class Service to Our Customers
Ensure Honor and Integrity in All That We Do
Diversify and Innovate Our Business
Build Trust With Open and Honest Communication
Embrace and Drive Change
Challenge the Unlimited Potential of Our People

“One of my favorite parts of my job is assembling tool kits for the military. Doing so makes me feel like my job has a real purpose and that I am truly helping those in the armed services.”

Matt B

IBVI team member since 2014

Our Leadership Team

CJ Lange

President and CEO

CJ Lange joined IBVI in 2000 and is the President and CEO of Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. (IBVI) and the architect of a highly successful career during which he has innovated around technology, consistently implemented and executed strategies successfully, and unified the organization to create business opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. With keen insight for identifying new channels of business development and a talent for building and managing high-performing teams that fuel growth and creative positive change, CJ drives IBVI’s mission to create superior customer products and services, and be a difference-maker in people’s lives.

Patrick Crain

Chief Manufacturing and Logistics Officer

With over 20 years of distribution and manufacturing experience and a dedication for continuous improvement, Patrick is the ideal person to oversee day-to-day manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, and engineering operations. His commitment to his team is evidenced in his close mentorship of managees.

Jeff Madden

Chief Financial Officer

Jeff joined IBVI in 2019 after gaining over 25 years of accounting experience in the food manufacturing industry. In his role at IBVI, Jeff oversees the daily functions of the accounting and finance teams, human resources, pricing, and contracts teams. Jeff brings to IBVI vast accounting and system implementation experience from both large public companies and small family owned operations alike. In looking for a change and a new career opportunity, Jeff was drawn to IBVI by their mission and the opportunity to make a difference. He intends to use his knowledge and expertise to help IBVI continue to grow that mission.

Rich Weigold

Senior Vice President, Product & Channel Management

Rich joined IBVI in 1996 as a Warehouse Shipping/Receiving Manager. In the years since, he has shaped new markets, developed strategies for expansion, and forged key partnerships—all of which have led directly to increased employment opportunities for the blind and visually impaired.

Todd Hobart

Vice President of BSC Store Operations

Todd joined IBVI in 2008 after working more than 20 years in retail management, 17 of which in the office supply industry. He oversees the Government Retail Business units, which include the BSC’s, COCESS and COPARS locations. Todd is also the acting Chairperson for the BSC Best Practice Committee, where he works with all AbilityOne BSC Agencies and National Industries for the Blind to improve and sustain the BSC Program. Todd is grateful and honored to assist and collaborate with associates who are blind and visually impaired, as well as support the United States military with the products they need to protect this country.

2018

Over 36,000 Skilcraft^® pens are assembled by blind Americans on our manufacturing floor every working day. And in one of its most prominent sales ever, IBVI sold 20 million pencils to Wal-Mart USA and more than 10,000 pallets of consumer goods to the U.S. Census Bureau.

CJ Lange standing with former Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker, preparing to cut a red ribbon to announce the opening of the new Menomonee Falls facility.

2017

Opened our 98,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Menomonee Falls, WI.

Photo of the front exterior of the West Allis IBVI location.

2006

Moved into new 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in West Allis, WI.

Three gentleman shown in picture, one in U.S. Navy fatigues, shaking hands with a potential new military member, and a third man faded into the background.

1999

U.S. Navy recruitment distribution fulfillment program developed.

Two men inspecting an item; one man is holding a clipboard.

1998

First nonprofit agency manufacturer in the world to achieve ISO 9000 quality certification of its manufacturing processes.

SKILCRAFT pens at different heights against a white background.

1970

Started manufacturing U.S. government pens. The company’s capabilities reach over 100,000 pens per day.

Three push brooms against a white background.

1952

Industries for the Blind, Inc. is established, and its first federal contract was for brooms and brushes.

Inspired by the past. Committed to the Future.

In 1948, Paul Fryda had a vision: to provide a job for his brother, who was blind. So he opened Alwin Products Co. Within just a few years, he renamed it Industries for the Blind, and restructured it as a nonprofit to create more jobs for the blind community. Today, 70 years later, more than 75% of our labor on AbilityOne contracts is done by individuals who are blind or visually impaired—continuing our mission to bring new purpose to their lives.

IBVI Locations

WEST ALLIS

445 S. Curtis Rd.
West Allis, WI 53214

MENOMONEE FALLS

W141N9450 Fountain Blvd
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

JANESVILLE

1715 Newport Ave
Janesville, WI 53545

Base Supply Centers

Austin – 2200 W 35TH ST BLDG 39, AUSTIN, TX 78703

Beale – 19501 EDISON AVE BLDG 1086 RM 494, BEALA AFB, CA 95903

Boston – BARNES FEDERAL BLDG,495 SUMMER ST STE 103, BOSTON, MA 02210

Charleston – 406 N GRAVES AVE BLDG 713, CHARLESTON AFB, SC 29404

Edwards – 115 GREGORIUS AVE BLDG 3736,DOOR 9, EDWARDS AFB, CA 93524

Ft. Detrick – 1453 CAMPUS DR, FORT DETRICK, MD 21702

Goose Creek – 2450 REDBANK RD BLDG 910, GOOSE CREEK, SC 29445

Hill – 5840 F AVENUE BLDG 414, HILL AFB, UT 84056

Homestead – 12730 TUSKEGEE BLVD BLDG 181, HOMESTEAD ARB, FL 33039

Key West – MIDWAY ROAD BLDG A-931, KEY WEST NAS, FL 33040

Malmstrom – 102 80TH ST NORTH BLDG 410, MALMSTROM AFB, MT 59402

Pax River – 47210 WHALEN RD BLDG 4024, PATUXENT RIVER, MD 20670

Vandenberg – 2010 NEW MEXICO AVE BLDG 5500, VANDENBERG AFB, CA 93437

Vandenberg Cocess – VANDENBERG COCESS 301 WAKE AVE BLDG 11152, VANDENBERG AFB, CA 93437

Contact Us

To learn more about who we are or inquire about our employment opportunities—get in touch to speak with a representative.