APH Press Release
New President of American Printing House for the Blind Announced
Louisville, KY (December 30, 2015) – The American Printing House for the Blind (APH), the world’s largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind or visually impaired, is pleased to announce Dr. Craig Meador as its next President. A former teacher and educational leader for blind and visually impaired children, Craig has served as APH’s Vice President of Educational Services and Product Development since May 2015. Craig will begin as President on January 1, 2016, succeeding Dr. Tuck Tinsley III who will be retiring after 27 years of dedicated and innovative leadership at APH.
Since joining APH, Craig has led a team of 90 professionals in the areas of field services, communications, and research and product development. He has worked closely with the production and finance departments to improve APH’s product development process.
“APH’s mission is to promote the independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials and products needed for education and life. Craig has the vision, energy, and skills to make address APH’s noble mission through partnerships with new technology companies, educational institutions, and leaders from government,” said Barrett Nichols, Chairman of the APH Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of BSG Financial Group. “We look forward to working with Craig and building on the strong platform and legacy that Tuck Tinsley has so successfully put in place.”
Craig came to Louisville and APH from the state of Washington where he was employed as the Director of Outreach Services/State Vision Consultant. In that position, he served as the state department’s APH Ex Officio Trustee and a member of the APH Educational Products Advisory Committee (EPAC). Prior to that, he was Principal of the Washington State School for the Blind; he served the state school for 24 years, beginning as a teacher. Craig earned an undergraduate degree from Western Oregon State University, a master’s degree in Special Education from Portland State University and, in 2015, an educational doctorate degree from Washington State University.
About the American Printing House for the Blind
The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the world’s largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level. APH produces textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats and manufactures hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products. APH was selected Mid-size Manufacturer of the Year for 2013 by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers.
The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. is located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, call (502) 895-2405 or log on to archive.aph.org.
