Alicia Lansford

Vice President/Chief Mission Officer

Alicia has been with East Texas Lighthouse since 2014 and served in various leadership roles. With a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, she is a critical thinker, problem solver and advocate. She is a proven leader who specializes in customer and client service. She is passionate about the work of East Texas Lighthouse to empower the blind on multiple fronts. Alicia also enjoys volunteering at animal rescues and coaching local church sports teams.

Amy Anderson

Client Services Manager

Amy has been with East Lighthouse since 2015 and served in the field of office administration for 10 years. Her experience in customer service, medical billing, and marketing make her a dynamic asset to our team. Amy most enjoys making a difference in the lives of those who are new to losing their sight and providing them with the training and resources to maintain their independence. She says meeting new and amazing people every day is the best part of the job. In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading, being active in her church, and spending quality time with her family.

Jim Jackson

Client Services Assistant

Jim has been with the Client Services team since 2018. He is the first person you will meet at East Texas Lighthouse and is crucial in helping make sure clients get connected to the services they need. Jim also assists with creating marketing tools and is our resident photographer. In his spare time, Jim takes photographs for Whitehouse Independent School District, is an avid bike rider, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Shirley Gee

Client Services Case Manager

Shirley is the newest member of The Lighthouse team and is responsible for the day-to-day management of clients. Shirley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Community Health Worker License from Jarvis Christian College. Shirley has more than 10 years of case management experience, working with agencies in the East Texas area. She takes pride in building a positive rapport with her clients and especially enjoys working with individuals to overcome challenges to become fully independent. When not working, Shirley enjoys karaoke with friends, going to church, and being involved in her two sons’ sports activities.

Craig Ellis

Community Relations Administrator

Craig has been with East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind since 2011, working in Inventory Control as the Inventory Planner at Horizon Industries. His experience includes 25 years in management working with Brookshire’s & HEB grocery companies as well as owning and managing his own floor covering store. Craig started working for Client Services in 2016 and enjoys the opportunity to assist clients and the potential to change their lives through empowerment. Craig loves meeting new people and runs The Lighthouse’s multiple outreach programs. In his spare time, Craig enjoys music, sports, and spending time with his three grandkids.

Jan Lynch

Curriculum and Instruction Administrator

Jan joined The Lighthouse in 2011 and has worked the past 40 years with individuals who are blind. Her certifications include A+ (IT certification), MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer), Microsoft Office Specialist Master, JAWS & ZoomText. She teaches Microsoft Office for Suite 2010, 2013, 2016 and our professional development courses MOBI, ProMOTE, and ATIP.  She is driven by the way computer training empowers people to reach their goals. In her spare time, Jan enjoys board games and is currently volunteering as a Jr. High Sunday School teacher for girls. She has even traveled overseas providing low-vision evaluations.

Brittney Walters

Assistive Technology Instructor

Brittney joined The Lighthouse team in early 2020 as an Apprentice for the Technology Department and now serves as the Assistive Technology Instructor.  Brittney graduated with a Bachelor’s in History from UT Tyler with a minor in Education and has extensive knowledge of adaptive technology used by the blind and visually impaired. She holds certifications in both JAWS and ZoomText and instructs all of our professional development in technology courses. Brittney enjoys teaching students and thrives on increasing her knowledge to better teach and empower the blind and visually impaired. In her spare time, Brittney enjoys being with family and spending time with her dog, Holly.

Megan Aragon

Technology Services Administrator

Megan holds an MBA with a certification in Organization Development and Leadership. She has more than 10 years of experience in program development working with national level blind advocacy organizations and partners. Megan is Microsoft Office Master and ZoomText certified and instructs all professional development in technology courses we offer. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Meagan Brooks

Activities of Daily Living Instructor

Meagan joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023, and brings over 15 years of business management and customer service experience as well as teaching, coordinating, and serving with children in various capacities. Meagan has served in the mission field on six international mission trips teaching women and children in Malawi, Africa, and currently coordinates all grade school children’s programs for her church. Meagan also has a background in volunteering for sex trafficking victims and she is an advocate for domestic violence awareness.  What excites Meagan the most about working for The Lighthouse is being able to encourage people and offer them hope! Outside of work, you will find Meagan being the proud wife of a police officer and a devoted mother to their two children. Her hobbies include attending worship concerts and spending time with her two dogs and chickens.

Mary “MK” Kahrhoff

College and Career Readiness Counselor

MK joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023 and brings more than 15 years of disability services and advocacy experience. After five years as a special educator, she transitioned into disability legal advocacy, and later, higher education disability services. She is excited to join the East Texas Lighthouse Client Services team and for the opportunity to help empower clients to achieve their education and employment goals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her husband and three rescue dogs.

Julie Henry

Orientation & Mobility Coordinator

Julie has a bachelor’s degree in middle school education and a master’s degree in professional school counseling. She worked as a teacher, a school counselor, and an administrator for 20 years. She raised puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind for several years. Through this experience, she discovered orientation and mobility through the friends she met working with dog guide handlers.  She attended Stephen F. Austin State University to become a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting and working her therapy dog.