The Emerald Coast Vision Aids TEAM!

Mike Hage :: President

Mike Hage, President of Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc., has served in the U.S. Military for three years on active duty and six years on active reserves.   He has worked in the Low Vision and Blindness field for 30 years.

Mike began in the Low Vision and Blindness industry working as a Rehabilitation Engineer for the State of Florida and the Division of Blind Services. After that, Mike worked as a Southeast Regional Blindness Product Representative for TeleSensory Corporation. That was followed by a position with LowVision Aids, Inc., working as a Computer and Adaptive Aids Consultant which evolved into the opening of a retail store for the blind and visually impaired called The Magnifying Center. Mike purchased the store from the franchise holder in 2005 and renamed the store with his company name, Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc. Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc. is proud to be Better Business Bureau Accredited (A+ Rating for 21 consecutive years), Veteran Owned, Business.

Mike has been active in the Low Vision and Blindness community by serving on the Board of Directors for Independence for the Blind where he served for over 14 years.

Mike is passionate about helping the visually impaired and takes great pride in helping people every day.

Chip Farrington :: Assistive Technology Specialist

Chip Farrington, Assistive Technology Specialist at Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc., graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.

Prior to joining our talented staff, Chip ran his own businesses including Computer Repair and Commercial Computer Drafting.

Chip came to Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc, with a strong background in office management and administration, computer hardware and software expertise, and he has extensive customer service and sales experience.

Jena Gunn :: Store Manager

Jena Gunn, Emerald Coast Vision Aids Store Manager, has personal knowledge of adaptive needs for the blind. Jena has been living with Retinitis Pigmentosa for over twenty years. As her adaptive needs change from year to year, she can empathize with our clients and their ever changing needs. She has worked at Emerald Coast Vision Aids since the store opened and prior to that worked as an assistant to Mike Hage in the low vision field.

As the dedicated store manager she has become an asset, using her knowledge to ensure that the blind community is informed of the continuously advancing technology that is available. She is committed to providing the best and most informative services to the blind.

Jena has an ADN in Nursing from the University of Mobile and maintains her Registered Nurse licensure in Florida.. She serves as a Board Member for Independence for the Blind, which provides services for the blind and visually impaired in ten counties in the Panhandle of Florida. She has two successful daughters who reside in the Pensacola area.

John Theisen :: Assistive Technology Specialist

John Theisen, Assistive Technology Specialist at Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc., graduated from the Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Accounting Degree in Business Administration.

Prior to joining our talented staff, John was a Tax Manager, Human Resources Manager and loves working with others to provide all their needs at Emerald Coast Vision Aids.

John came to Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc, with a strong background in office management and administration, and exceptional interaction and communication skills.

 

 

 

Michael Elliott :: Blindness Product Specialist

Emerald Coast Vision Aids is proud to partner with Michael Elliott of Soar Consultants, as we consider him to be our Blindness Product Specialist.  Michael is the former Bureau Chief of the Division of Blind Services.  A few words from Michael…

Everyone who cannot see or is having trouble reading can benefit from this training. We believe that every product purchase is more successful when paired with world class training. Our thirty years of experience allows us to offer high quality training, and our top notch support system and staff is geared to fit your every need. No product is too large or small to train on and we provide your training in the method of your choice: face to face, online, or Skype. Place your trust in us, and in turn we will provide you with the very best training available.

Through our partnership with Emerald Coast Vision Aids we have enabled visually impaired students to go to school and visually impaired and blind consumers to get and maintain jobs just like their sighted counterparts.  Together we have provided, and look forward to continuing to provide, valuable services to the communities that we serve.