UTICA — The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) said goodbye to a longtime leader and named a new chair of the board of directors at its annual meeting held May 14 at Monarch Banquets in Yorkville. At the meeting, Jim Turnbull IV stepped down as board chair, a role he has […]
UTICA — The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) said goodbye to a longtime leader and named a new chair of the board of directors at its annual meeting held May 14 at Monarch Banquets in Yorkville.
At the meeting, Jim Turnbull IV stepped down as board chair, a role he has filled since 2019. Among his accomplishments are raising $14.7 million toward the construction of CABVI’s Vision Health and Wellness Center and supporting renovations to the agency’s Syracuse Industries location and the Kenneth Thayer Production and Distribution Center in Utica.
He was the second generation of his family to serve in the role. His father James B. Turnbull III also served as chair, as well as treasurer for many years.
“Jim has been a lifelong supporter of CABVI,” agency President/CEO Ed Welsh said in a news release. “Jim brought unique perspective and experience to the board. As chair, he helped lead us through COVID, opened our new Vision Health and Wellness Center, and supported the renovations to both our Dwyer Avenue and Syracuse facilities. Jim has a great passion for Camp Abilities and our kids. I suspect we will see him at the lake this summer on Turnbull Tubing Day. I am grateful for his friendship and leadership. He will always be an important part of the CABVI family.”
At the meeting, George Nehme was voted in as Turnbull’s successor as board chair. He has served in the nonprofit and academic communities for more than 40 years and joined the CABVI board in 2021.
“I’m deeply honored, as a person who is legally blind,” Nehme said. “Just being on the board alone has been an incredible privilege, and now to become the next chair, I’m deeply moved by that and appreciate the trust that all of you have placed in me.”
During the meeting, Ralph Eannace was named first vice chair, Richard Dewar appointed second vice chair, Barry Sinnott named treasurer, and Deborah Kessler designated secretary.
Established in 1929, CABVI is a social enterprise that provides services and employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization serves more than 1,800 people of all ages, generally free of charge, in a 10-county region of Central New York.
