Dacia Johnson, Executive Director
Under the leadership and direction of a seven-member Governor-appointed commission, Dacia leads a state agency of specialized staff working to maximize the employment and independent living opportunities for Oregonians who are blind.
Dacia began her career at a job training program in Southern Oregon where she helped displaced and economically disadvantaged job seekers re-enter the workforce. She went on to specialize in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation and for more than twenty years has been working to improve employment and independent living services for individuals with disabilities.
Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Commission for the Blind in 2013, Dacia was the Director of the agency's Rehabilitation Services program. She previously worked in public Vocational Rehabilitation with the Oregon Department of Human Services as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Training Specialist/Policy and Planning Coordinator.
Dacia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Portland State University. Dacia holds the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
Kat Martin, Chief Financial and Information Officer
Kathleen “Kat" Martin joined the Oregon Commission for the Blind in 2020. An accomplished finance leader with a wealth of management and hands-on operations experience in diverse organizations of all sizes, her career began in the Seattle software and high-tech industry during the meteoric rise of the region's software giants.
Relocating back to SW Washington to be closer to family, she served at a small law firm representing the needs of underserved people with disabilities and injuries with claims before the Social Security Administration and Department of Labor and Industries.
Kat also spent fifteen years in higher education, serving in a variety of roles including Director of Administrative and Financial Services for a private, for-profit college of design located in Portland, Oregon. She additionally spent five years in strategic support of fiscal and academic operations at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and College of Education at Portland State University.
Kat holds a bachelor's degree in finance/law and has plans to finish a master's in organizational leadership.
Angel Hale, Director of Rehabilitation Services
Angel has been with the agency since 2010, first serving as the Assistant Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (managing the agency's Independent Living programs) and then as Director of the Orientation and Career Training Center.
Prior to working for the Commission, Angel managed her own small business as a Trainer/Speaker/Consultant. Before starting her own business, Angel worked for the State of Oregon in several capacities. She was a Program Manager/Trainer/Consultant with both the Department of Labor and the Rehabilitation Services Administration. She also worked as a Training Specialist with the Department of Human Services' Staff Development Unit. In these roles, Angel designed and facilitated numerous trainings for managers and staff at agencies and businesses throughout Oregon.
As a woman who has been completely blind herself since 1986, Angel deeply and personally understands what it takes for Commission clients to work through their rehabilitation process and come out on the other side independent, successfully employed and understanding that anything is possible for them if they are willing to do the hard but rewarding work it takes to get there.
Angel holds a bachelor's degree from Corban University in social psychology—systems theory, with a focus on program design and facilitation.
Malinda Carlson, Director of Independent Living Services
Malinda Carlson joined the Oregon Commission for the Blind in 2015, serving first as a Rehabilitation Instructor and most recently as the Director of the Independent Living Older Blind programs.
She leads the team that provides in-home and community-based rehabilitation training and counseling services to adults not seeking employment to help them live as independently as possible.
Previously, she worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind for 27 years as a Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Instructor. For the last 16 years of her work at Guide Dogs she traveled nationally supporting Guide Dog teams in their home areas as well as presenting nationally and internationally on subjects related to traveling with dog guides and orientation and mobility.
Malinda holds a master's degree in Orientation and Mobility.
Jim Portillo, Director of Orientation and Career Center for the Blind
Jim Portillo joined the Commission for the Blind in 2024 as the Director of the Orientation and Career Center where he leads a comprehensive training program for adults who are blind so they may obtain the necessary skills that will allow them to find employment and live successful and full lives. With a lifelong journey of navigating blindness, Jim has always believed that it should never be a hindrance to realizing one's potential.
Jim's career in the field of blindness rehabilitation spans more than two decades, primarily at Washington Department of Services for the Blind's Orientation and Training Center (Seattle, WA). He began as a Rehabilitation Teacher, specializing in teaching computers and adaptive technology and has also facilitated group seminars on adjustment to blindness. In his most recent role as Program Lead, Jim actively contributed to new projects and programs.
A staunch advocate for the blind community for nearly three decades, Jim has played a vital role in local, regional, and national events. His passion for advocacy is matched by his creative and innovative approach to program development, materials creation, and leadership in the field. Jim's ability to foster collaboration, coupled with his active listening, patience, and compassion, sets him apart as a leader. Jim is fluent in English and Spanish, something he sees as valuable for communicating and interacting with a wider range of people.
Jim is proud to lead his team's efforts to provide skills training that empower Oregonians who are Blind to fully engage in life. Jim is eager to continue his professional growth and work alongside the training center's staff to empower blind Oregonians with the skills and confidence needed to lead successful and productive lives.
Ron Stewart, Director of Business Enterprise Program
As a seasoned professional in the Food Service industry, Ron Stewart honed his skills through extensive experience as a successful Restaurateur, Corporate Executive Chef, Caterer for high-profile clientele, Private Chef in Beverly Hills, and Restaurant Business Consultant.
In 2001, Ron founded Mare Blu—an upscale Italian/Mediterranean restaurant and catering business that featured local, organic fare from Central California. In the seven years running his restaurant, Chef Ron received accolades from Gourmet Magazine and was featured on Sunset Magazine's “Best of California." His culinary prowess has been personally requested by Josh Brolin, Diane Lane, and Barbara Streisand (to share a few names).
Recently, Chef Ron has served as a Restaurant Consultant in the Pacific Northwest, where he has lent his expertise to companies such as Tillamook Creamery and Bob's Red Mill. His portfolio also includes managing multi-unit and multi-outlet contract food service operations at globally recognized brands including Intel and Rogue Ales & Spirits.
He received his education at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
Jonathan Scrimenti, Workforce Innovation Manager
Jonathan Scrimenti joined OCB as the Director of the Orientation and Career Center in 2021 and was promoted to the position of Workforce Innovation Manager in 2023.
At the Career Center, he supervised all curriculum and instructors, working hand-in-hand with our Vocational Rehabilitation program to ensure that OCB's clients gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to reach their employment and life goals.
Jonathan came to OCB from Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management, where he worked on the Career Management team since 2017. As the Assistant Director there he focused on student advising, student organizations, graduate employment tracking, and employer relations. Prior to that, Jonathan served as the Director of Student Services at a career-focused college in Portland.
Jonathan has a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a master's in student development administration.
Michael Wolff, Business Operations Manager
Michael Wolff joined OCB in 2021 as the Business Operations Manager, also supervising the agency's Human Services Assistants throughout Oregon.
Prior to joining the agency, Michael worked as VP/Operations at Basics Market/Wild Rose Foods (Tualatin) and for over 15 years with New Seasons Market (Portland) as the Staff Resources Manager, Store Manager and additional roles.
Michael holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California at Davis.