Jim Ries interviews Mike Gosse, President of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), about the organization’s mission since 1908 as Maryland’s largest employer of blind people and a provider of independence training and rehabilitation from youth through seniors. Mike shares pride in staff engagement, efforts to advance blind leadership within BISM, and expanded youth programming across the state. He outlines a six-month focus on growth in Maryland, including broader training reach and increased job and business opportunities. Mike also highlights BISM’s manufacturing work, including military jackets and uniforms, office supplies, and cleaning and paper products. Mike explains his own lifelong blindness and the importance of changing how people react to and employ blind individuals.
