Michael N. Gilliam is the chief executive officer for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, responsible for all operations. Mike began his employment with the Lighthouse just over nine years ago after having spent three years on the Board of Directors. During his tenure, the SALB has received the following awards—
-Express News’ “Best Place to Work in San Antonio” -San Antonio Business Journal’s “Best Place to Work in San Antonio” -Texas Monthly Magazine’s Best Place to Work in Texas” -AARP’s “Best Place to Work for People Over 50” -UTSA’s “Most Ethical Company in San Antonio” -Roy Maas’ “Outstanding Large Business in San Antonio” -National Industries for the Blind’s “Fastest Growing Lighthouse in the Nation” -Texas Diversity Council’s “San Antonio Diversity Company of the Year” -Non-Profit Resource Center’s “Top 50 Non-Profits in the Nation”
Prior to being appointed to his current position, Mr. Gilliam was employed by SW Bell/SBC/AT&T for 31 years during which he served as senior vice president – regulatory, vice president in charge of SBC’s Year 2000 Project worldwide and president- Arkansas & Oklahoma operations. Mike, a fourth generation San Antonian, began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone as an installer in 1971 in St. Louis. He progressed through various network operations, engineering, and planning assignments in Texas through 1987 before accepting a position at Bell Labs in New Jersey. From that point, Mr. Gilliam has had responsibilities for SBC’s cable television operations in London, England, Maryland and Virginia, as well as corporate technology strategies and new product development.
He has held multiple leadership positions on the boards of the Lighthouse, as well as National Industries for the Blind and the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind. Mike has been recognized as “San Antonio’s Outstanding Non-Profit Leader in 2013” and most recently as “The President’s Committee’s 2013 National Outstanding Non-Profit Leader of the Year”.
Mr. Gilliam is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a degree in civil engineering and completed the Advanced Executive Development Program at Cornell University in 1987. He and his wife, Marlos, have two daughters and are currently building their retirement home in San Antonio.
