PODCAST June 26, 2025
[Mission Driven Series] Economic Independence and Opportunity Through Meaningful Work With Jeff Mittman
Mission Driven is a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [01:14] Jeff Mittman explains how employment creates economic independence and benefits the American economy
- [02:08] How Bosma employees view their work as national service and take pride in their impact
- [07:53] Bosma’s expansion strategy through domestic manufacturing partnerships and mergers
- [10:04] How Bosma supports employee growth through training, tools, and career development
- [16:29] What Jeff wishes more people knew about the capabilities and achievements of his employees
In this episode…
Many people with vision loss are excluded from the workforce not because of their capabilities, but because of outdated assumptions about what they can achieve. What does it take to create real access to opportunity and empower individuals to thrive on their own terms?
According to Jeff Mittman, president and CEO of Bosma Enterprises, the answer begins with meaningful work. He explains how career development, workplace training, and a strong sense of purpose can shift the narrative from limitation to leadership. A a veteran who lost his sight in service, Jeff now leads one of the country’s largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired, where employees support federal agencies, earn competitive wages, and rise into executive roles. His lived experience drives his commitment to creating jobs that lead to economic independence, and to advocating for broader inclusion through public policy and industry partnerships.
In this episode of Mission Driven, a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast, National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Soraya Correa talks with Jeff about expanding opportunity through employment, building future leaders from within, and proving that when people are given the tools to succeed, they can define their own future.
Resources mentioned in this episode
- National Industries for the Blind
- Soraya Correa on LinkedIn
- Jeff Mittman on LinkedIn
- Bosma Enterprises
- National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB)
- AbilityOne Program
Quotable Moments:
- “Our mission is a win-win for the American economy because we are employing Americans, doing American jobs, producing American products, and we’re using people that are underserved by the general economy.”
- “We’re elevating the jobs that people don’t expect blind people to do.”
- “As we bring employees in and we counsel them and we work with them and we train, we’re not only focusing on what they can do for Bosma, but what they can achieve if given the right tools.”
- “When you lose your vision, you don’t lose your choice.”
- “Throw away your thoughts of what’s possible and understand that what we do is great.”
Action Steps:
- Invest in training and development programs: Equipping employees with skills and tools fosters growth, confidence, and long-term career mobility.
- Create pathways to upward mobility: Structured opportunities for advancement show employees that leadership is attainable and worth striving for.
- Expand hiring practices: Broadening recruitment ensures more people have access to meaningful work and contributes to a stronger workforce.
- Celebrate internal success stories: Highlighting employee achievements challenges outdated assumptions and inspires others to pursue their potential.
- Partner with mission-aligned organizations: Collaborating with values-driven suppliers and agencies strengthens community impact and expands employment opportunities.
Sponsor for this episode
This episode is sponsored by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for and employer of people who are blind. NIB creates opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement with their communities. Learn more about their impact at NIB.org.
This episode is also brought to you by NSITE, the premier organization dedicated to connecting professionals who are blind, low-vision, or visually impaired with career opportunities. Whether you’re an employer seeking talented individuals or a job seeker ready to take the next step, NSITE provides the resources and support to help you succeed. Learn more and explore opportunities at NSITE.org.
About Jeff Mittman
Jeff Mittman is the president and CEO of Bosma Enterprises in Indianapolis, one of the Midwest’s largest nonprofit organizations providing employment and training for people who are blind or visually impaired. A retired U.S. Army veteran, he lost his sight in 2005 while serving in Iraq. Jeff has dedicated his career to service, first through the military and then through organizations that support America’s military and people who are blind. Under his leadership, Bosma has expanded its mission to provide employment opportunities and training programs for people who are blind.
Episode Transcript
Intro: 00:00
Welcome to the Heard & Empowered podcast presented by National Industries for the Blind. We’re on a mission to empower people who are blind or low vision or visually impaired to build fulfilling careers, gain personal independence, and take the next step toward achieving their own American dream. Guests from all walks of life share their journeys and how they overcame challenges they faced along the way. Whatever your interests, experience, talents, or career goals, listen to, discover important connections and unlock the resources and inspiration you need to chart a new path ready to be heard and empowered.
Soraya Correa: 00:35
Hello welcome to Mission Driven, a series of the Heard & Empowered podcast. My name is Soraya Correa, I’m the president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind. I’m here with Jeff Mittman, who is the President of the National Association of the Employment of People Who Are Blind. And he’s also a member of the NIB board of directors. But more importantly, he’s the President and CEO of Bosma Enterprises. Welcome, Jeff. Thank you for joining us this afternoon.
Jeff Mittman: 00:54
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
Soraya Correa: 00:55
Yeah. So I’m going to ask you really tough questions, Jeff, because I want us to talk about our program. You ready? All right. Here’s the first hard hitting question. You and I both know that NIB’s mission is good for America, but for our listeners, can you tell me why you think our mission is a win-win for people who are blind and the American economy?
Jeff Mittman: 01:14
Absolutely. It’s a win win. Our mission is a win-win for the American economy because we are employing Americans, doing American jobs, producing American products, and we’re using people that are underserved by the general economy. We’re bringing them into the economy, creating economic independence for those individuals. And they’re returning instead of being a tax taker, they’re paying taxes now. They’re reducing their benefits. They’re employing. So there’s more return to the government than they ever spend on those employees once they start working.
Soraya Correa: 01:42
That’s fantastic. And you know, I agree with you. That’s part of what drove me to come to NIB. It’s that passion for giving people that opportunity to take on the American dream and have the opportunity to live that American dream. So tell me a little bit about our associated nonprofit agencies and especially Bosma Enterprises. How do you support US manufacturing, and how do you empower people who are blind to build careers that contribute to our nation’s strength?
Jeff Mittman: 02:08
Well, NIB and NAEPB have agencies all across the country manufacturing products for the federal government. Specifically, we support the Department of Veterans Affairs providing them their examination, surgical gloves and medical kits. And we support veterans all across the country. As a veteran myself, it’s a proud achievement for me to be the CEO of Bosma, because I’m able to support the very people I fought with on the battlefield, and my employees see their service to the VA as their service to the nation. They didn’t have the opportunity I did. Most of them didn’t have the opportunity that I had to support the country through military service. So this is their service to the nation. And they’re very, very proud of that. And they do a great job of it. And we see that all across the country. They’re veterans throughout our organizations that are continuing their service to the nation through the AbilityOne Program, and whether they’re supporting DoD or they’re supporting the Department of Defense or any of the other federal agencies, they see it as their continued service to the nation.
Soraya Correa: 03:12
And, you know, I got to tell you that I’ve gone out and visited several of our nonprofit agencies, and I see that. And you can feel that pride, that honor, that they feel that they are serving our nation. It’s phenomenal. Absolutely. So, NIB, Bosma and all our agencies, we manufacture products right here in the United States. Why is that so important, especially now?
Jeff Mittman: 03:32
Well, supporting the production and manufacturing base of America is what we’re doing, and we’re able to ensure a lot of things that over the past several decades have gone offshore. We’re able to bring that back and we’re securing the it’s a national security issue, quite frankly, because what we’re doing is securing that here within our nation’s boundaries. And with the pandemic, we won’t have issues like we did during the pandemic. We don’t have foreign government interference with shipping lanes and everything else. So we’re able to bring that onshore, create American jobs and push that money, that revenue into the economy, because we’re doing it here, not overseas.
Soraya Correa: 04:12
That’s a really good point. But it’s not just about the products. We also provide knowledge based services. This is important for our agencies as it diversifies their lines of business. But it’s also important for our employees because it creates great opportunities to build careers. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Jeff Mittman: 04:29
It’s careers, whether it’s contract management services or it’s an IT service. We’re elevating the jobs that people don’t expect blind people to do. So as we as we create these jobs, what we find and what surprises people, I think, is that the very thing that equals or levels the playing field for somebody who is blind is a very service they can provide through it to the government or the local community. And it’s really impressive to see that because it is the great equalizer, that technology allows people to do that job. It’s a very service they’re providing to the government, so it works out really well on both sides.
Soraya Correa: 05:08
So I’ve always been impressed that as I’ve been going around and meeting a lot of our non-profit agencies, we have a variety of CEOs who actually started on the manufacturing floor that today are CEOs. They’re running their own enterprises.
Jeff Mittman: 05:21
I think we have 17 CEOs in NIB who are blind, many of whom did start in direct labor roles on the manufacturing floor, who have now risen to the top of their organization. And they’re leading not only by example, but they’re leading just like everybody else would. Whether you’re blind or not, they’re the CEO, they’re the CEO, and they’ve earned that spot. And they do a wonderful job.
Soraya Correa: 05:43
They do a phenomenal job, and it’s inspirational. But it also demonstrates to people this can be done. There is no barrier here. And I think that’s extremely.
Jeff Mittman: 05:53
The only barriers misconceptions is somebody’s ability.
Soraya Correa: 05:56
Yeah I agree with that. I think that some folks misconceive what we are able to do. So for people who are blind, a good job means greater independence. How do NIB and its agencies help people who are blind achieve that independence?
Jeff Mittman: 06:10
Well, mostly independence comes through that economic independence. Really, I have the ability once I’m employed and I have those training opportunities and I have that career and I have that upper mobility that creates the economic independence to buy a home, send your children to college, go to church, whatever it is you want to do, like every other American. And it’s that economic independence and that training and that investment we put in into employees that rises, that raises them to that level of independence. And they’re able to do whatever they want on their own, on their own. That’s the truth. If I had the economic independence, I could do whatever I want, when I want. And that’s what we allow people to do.
Soraya Correa: 06:51
I also want to address one of those misconceptions that’s out there that, you know, once you’re working for one of our agencies, you’re kind of stuck there. That’s not true. That’s not true at all.
Jeff Mittman: 07:00
It’s not true. We see people come and go through the programs. As a matter of fact, I started working at NIB.
Soraya Correa: 07:05
Yeah.
Jeff Mittman: 07:05
That’s true. I left for eight, nine years, come back as a CEO of an organization. So people move in and out of the program, at will, at will, whenever they want. I’m happy. I’m happy to see people leave. And the fact that it expands our network, it expands our network, and what they’re doing is changing the perception of blind people in the broader community. So it’s wonderful to see that, see them do that, and they come back sometimes in a higher role.
Soraya Correa: 07:30
Exactly.
Jeff Mittman: 07:31
You have CEOs like myself who have left, come back as a CEO. They bring that experience back into the program and they take the experiences here out into the community. So it’s a two way street, and it really works out really well for both the community and the program.
Soraya Correa: 07:43
That’s fantastic. So let’s go back and talk a little bit about what are you doing over at Bosma, and what are some of your biggest contracts and what are some of the things that you’re doing to expand on your lines of business?
Jeff Mittman: 07:53
Well, my some of my biggest contracts obviously are providing examination surgical gloves for the VA. And one of the big things we’re doing is onshoring all of that work and transitioning to domestic production. I was at a domestic producer just last Friday, working on delivery schedules, working on quality, working hand in hand with that domestic producer on what we need to do to provide veterans what they need in the organization. We’re also in an M&A phase. We’re looking to expand and purchase other companies so that I can expand my workforce, my blind workforce, out into other areas, all underneath that umbrella. But working in the community, working in different industries and providing them that opportunity outside of the four walls of Bosma. And it’s really exciting at this time as we look for that, those opportunities, we look for different lines of business. We look for services to provide to not only the federal government, but the commercial market, state government and local community.
Soraya Correa: 08:54
So you partner with a lot of these companies to help develop the products.
Jeff Mittman: 08:57
Hand in hand.
Soraya Correa: 08:58
Oh that’s fantastic.
Jeff Mittman: 08:59
Hand in hand. We help design packaging. We help design the product. We help specifications, we help. My quality team does a lot of the quality checks to ensure that the government customer is getting a high quality specified product that they require. And it’s really benefiting. I’m using blind employees to check that quality that’s phenomenal. And it’s really exciting to see them learn and expand and do that.
Soraya Correa: 09:27
Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m excited by that. I think it’s phenomenal that you’re doing that. You know, having worked in the federal government, I think it’s extremely important to bring in companies that bring that level of attention to the detail, to the quality of the products that we’re providing to our government to support our employees, our veterans especially. So thank you so much for doing that. Our job opportunities through the nonprofit agencies provide for professional growth, competitive wages, benefits and upward mobility for people who are blind, including veterans. How have you seen that play out in your employees’ lives? Can you talk a little bit about your workforce? And I know your story is quite compelling.
Jeff Mittman: 10:04
Well, I think my employees are only limited by their own desires. They’re only limited by their own desires. So as we bring employees in and we counsel them and we work with them and we train, we’re not only focusing on what they can do for Bosma, but what they can achieve if given the right tools. And whether that’s tuition reimbursement or whether that’s that’s computer training or that’s that’s it training or whatever that might be, it’s really exciting to see them grasp that, hey, I can do this, and I can expand and I can grow in my career. I can leave, I can stay, I can do whatever. We’re back to economic independence. And it’s really really heartwarming to see, especially when you find somebody who’s struggled for so long to get that opportunity. So I’m here to provide the opportunity. I’m not here to give it to you. You have to take advantage of the opportunity. And when you give people the opportunity and the tools to achieve, they will. And that’s something I was obviously me. I have a little bit of a different story. And then I was hurt on the battlefield and I came back and I was given every opportunity in the world because of my time in the military. And I had the VA, and I had the army behind me, and I had my family behind me. Not everybody has that. And in a lot of cases, our agencies are the ones stepping into that void to provide that opportunity for people to achieve. And again, it’s not handed to somebody. The only thing you hand them is the opportunity and the tools to achieve. And once you do that, they will achieve.
Soraya Correa: 11:41
Yeah, it’s a hand up, not a handout as people like to say. So I always think it’s important to mention that we not only provide opportunity, but we provide choice. Our employees can choose the best job or career option to suit their needs. What do you think about those career choices?
Jeff Mittman: 11:57
I think they’re, I think they’re numberless. They’re they’re they’re infinite. It’s a matter of they have a choice, right? As an American, they have a choice. When you lose your vision, you don’t lose your choice, and us providing that choice allows them to take advantage of it and go forth. So they have the choice to stay. They had the choice to go. They had the choice to do exactly what they’re doing now if they want to do that forever, right. Just like everybody else does. And we are the ones that provide that opportunity. Because, let’s be frank, most people don’t. Most organizations don’t provide that opportunity. And we provide that opportunity for people to have that choice. As an economically independent American, they had that choice when they worked with us.
Soraya Correa: 12:41
I also think that we bring something a little different to the table. When I say we I’m talking about our nonprofit agencies is that we understand them, we understand what their needs are. We understand how to help them without undermining their capability or their self-confidence.
Jeff Mittman: 12:58
Right. It’s called holding people accountable. And we’re able to do that because we set a standard. We educate to the standard, we assist in meeting the standard. And then guess what? People meet the standard.
Soraya Correa: 13:09
Exactly.
Jeff Mittman: 13:10
But we understand the needs. It goes a lot. It goes far beyond reasonable accommodations. In a lot of cases, there’s additional training that’s required. There’s computer technology that’s required, there’s a lot of training that takes place there. And we understand that. And it also and this is something that’s underestimated a lot of times when people come to work for us who are blind, they work for us because there’s a community there, there’s a support system there that they don’t find always. They don’t always find outside of one of the agencies. That’s why you see some of them return and there’s nothing wrong with that. They are working a job, an American job, making American products in America. Yeah. And that should be celebrated.
Soraya Correa: 13:53
That’s right. Yeah. No, I agree with that. So we’re recording this during the 2025 Public Policy Forum. This is only my second forum since joining NIB a little over a year ago. How many have you been to now, and can you tell me about the progress that you’ve seen us make over the years through the Public Policy Forum?
Jeff Mittman: 14:09
I believe this is my seventh public Policy forum. And I think what we’ve become is much more focused, much more focused on growing employment and opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, whether it’s the 1% goal or it’s working to eliminate the cash cliff when it comes to SSDI and SSI. I think we’re a lot more focused on what we’re trying to achieve. You can’t change everything, right? So you apply your resources. You focus your resources where you think you can have the biggest impact. And I believe the 1% goal will expand opportunities across the entire program for people to do different jobs. Those knowledge based jobs, whether it’s through DoD and the 1% goal achieving that or NASA or whatever it might be. We’re expanding the lines in those knowledge based jobs and training people to that standard so that they can achieve that. And I think with the Public Policy Forum, we’ve become much more focused on what we’re after and are not afraid to say what is right.
Soraya Correa: 15:13
Exactly.
Jeff Mittman: 15:14
We should be proud of what we do, and we should tell everybody how proud we are.
Soraya Correa: 15:17
We certainly should. And I think our public policy advocates are just phenomenal. I had the opportunity to visit with them last night at dinner and spend some time with them today, and it’s just amazing. It’s amazing the incredible stories that they have, but also the passion, the commitment that they bring to the table.
Jeff Mittman: 15:31
You see the energy they bring, right? Their energy. They’re proud of what they do and they want to tell people. And there’s nobody better to tell the story than somebody who’s walked that road of blindness.
Soraya Correa: 15:42
So, you know, I’m going to ask you just to look in your crystal ball and tell me, do you think we’re going to get our 1% goal one of these days? Yes, I think I’m with you.
Jeff Mittman: 15:50
Yes, we will.
Soraya Correa: 15:51
We will. And also, I think addressing the cash cliff. And I think under this administration, this might develop some legs.
Jeff Mittman: 15:57
I think it will. I think we have a new view of things. Right. And I know a lot of people talk about uncertainty. And I see opportunity. I see opportunities to make a difference not only for our employees, for the nation, for the administration and everything else, and to look at things differently and achieve that, I think. I think we’re going to do that.
Soraya Correa: 16:18
Excellent, excellent. So this is the final question. This is a really hard question. Okay. Ready. What do you wish more people knew about NIB and its associated agencies?
Jeff Mittman: 16:29
I wish I knew more about our employees and what they achieve and what they can do. I said earlier, the only limitation is people’s misconceived notions of somebody who’s blind and their ability to to achieve. And I’ll tell a personal story real quick. I remember when I worked at NIB, I worked with a contracting officer in Colorado Springs, talked to him on the phone 100 times. One day I showed up in their office. They were shocked that I was visually impaired. Wow. They had no clue. And they shouldn’t have a clue. They shouldn’t because they had the exact same service and communications. They would have had somebody who wasn’t visually impaired. And I think when people see that one on one or when they see that in person, it makes a huge difference. So I want to invite all our, all our government officials, our commissioners, everyone to get out and see what our employees do. Because if you don’t come see them, I’m going to bring them to you. There you go. You’re going to see it. So it’s great. I think that’s the biggest thing, is to throw away your thoughts of what’s possible and understand that what we do is great, and what we do is possible. And it’s only possible because of our employees, our people.
Soraya Correa: 17:45
Yeah. No, I would 100% agree with that. I’ve always been impressed when I go out and visit the different operations. And I always remember that when I first started, everybody said, when you visited one NAEPB, one non-profit agency, you visited one non-profit agency, and there’s truth to that.
Jeff Mittman: 17:59
Well, we’re all different, right? Because we could do some things.
Soraya Correa: 18:02
Exactly.
Jeff Mittman: 18:02
Because we could do so many things. So if you visit an off point or you visit San Antonio or Vibrant Works or Indianapolis and Bosma, they’re all different.
Soraya Correa: 18:10
They’re all completely different.
Jeff Mittman: 18:11
They’re all different. The only difference is you see a lot of people using a cane. Yeah, that’s the only similarity.
Soraya Correa: 18:17
Oh, it’s some beautiful dogs.
Jeff Mittman: 18:18
Or beautiful dogs, whatever it is. Yeah.
Soraya Correa: 18:20
Yeah, exactly. But it’s amazing. It’s amazing to watch them. Whether they’re making uniforms, producing products or providing services, call center services, contract management services, even IT services. So it’s always impressive. And I agree with you. Getting the story out there, making sure that people really see what we do and understand what we do. I think that’s just incredible. So, Jeff, I’m going to wrap up this interview by saying thank you so much. It’s a privilege and an honor to work with you, and I really appreciate you taking the time today to chat with us and help us educate folks on who we are at National Industries for the Blind and at the NAEPB.
Jeff Mittman: 18:53
All right.
Soraya Correa: 18:54
Thank you.
Outro: 18:55
Thank you for listening to the Heard & Empowered podcast. Please make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more information, visit heardandempowered.org. That’s heardandempowered.org. Join us again next time.
About National Industries for the Blind:
Since 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has focused on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment. NIB and its network of associated nonprofit agencies are the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind through the manufacture and provision of SKILCRAFT® and many other products and services of the AbilityOne® Program.
For more information about NIB, visit NIB.org.
