CFTB Board of Directors
Computers for the Blind has a volunteer Board of Directors that help us fulfill our mission, as well as a team of staff members that work hard to make sure our clients have the best experience. We are grateful for the experience they bring to our organization, and the leadership they provide. If you are interested in administrative level volunteering opportunities, please contact our Executive Director at ttowndrow@computersfortheblind.org.
Board President – Keith Landau
Keith 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.
Board Vice President- Marco Galvan
Marco has over 20 years’ experience in managing technology infrastructure, platform and service delivery in the financial services industry and non-profits. He currently is the Director of Information Technology at Prospera Financial Services. Marco received a Bachelors in Psychology from Austin College (Sherman, TX.) and an M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Texas in San Antonio.
Board Treasurer- Andrew S. Wheeler
Andrew is the Director of Risk Management at Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) in Dallas, Texas. His 26 year career at TI includes various Finance and Business Operations leadership roles including, Worldwide Fab Capacity Planning Director, High Volume Linear Finance & Operations Director, and most recently Controller, Treasurer, and Finance Director of TI Philippines, Inc. Andrew has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Master of Science in Operations Research from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Andrew has been a champion of diversity and employee development throughout his career and is presently a member of TI’s Finance Council.
Board Member – Laura Turner
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.
Board Member – Dan Youman
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.
Board Member – Melinda Hocking
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.
Board Member – Jeff Bazer
Bazer’s career in the assistive technology industry spans 20 years, 11 of those have been at Vispero and Freedom Scientific. He currently serves as Director of Sales for the south Central Region including Texas, and primarily works through his robust dealer network. Jeff believes that outstanding customer service and support makes the difference with his customers, and is most proud of the vast network of training tools Vispero has to offer. Priorto his move to Vispero headquarters in Florida, Jeff also spent 15 years in radio, working in Minnesota and South Dakota. He attributes his communications background for his presentation style, and always remembering that listening can be even more important than sharing.
Board Member – Susan Skinner
Skinner has been a passionate advocate for CFTB as a board member of the Reading and Radio Resource Fund. She has held a variety of marketing, accounting, and finance roles during her 20+ years at Texas Instruments, in both the Semiconductor and Education Technology divisions. Susan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Planning from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and her MBA from
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Board Member – Emmy Silverman
Emmy Silverman is a Brand Strategist at a marketing and design agency in Seattle WA. She has both passion and experience in helping non-profits find and actualize on their purpose. Emmy has a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications and Interactive Media Studies from Miami University of Ohio.
Board Member – Darrin Whitney
Darrin Whitney is the Chief Information Officer for Yana Systems in Plano. He has an extensive background in Digital Transformations for multiple Public, Private Equity and startup companies. Darrin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Administration from Michigan State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
CFTB Staff Members
Executive Director – Tanya Towndrow
Tanya started her career out as a licensed BCBA (Behaviorist) focusing on Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and teaching life skills to individuals with developmental and cognitive delays. For the last 10 years she has been a certified instructor for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). Tanya has over 20 years’ experience working with vulnerable populations living with Mental Health, Homelessness, Veterans returning from war and running homeless and Domestic Violence Shelters. Tanya is a consulting member of A Veterans Place Board of Directors and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in policy and procedural implementation. Tanya received a Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Science from Ashford University, Masters in Psychology from Walden University and an MBA in Organizational Management from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).
Operations and IT Manager – Nathan Hill
Nathan is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Computer Engineering. He started with Computers for the Blind in 2017 to manage the volunteers that build the computers, but with his background in computer hardware and information systems, his role evolved to manage all the technology and systems used by CFTB.