Overcoming Vision Loss and Building Empowering Careers for People Who Are Blind With Matthew Koch

Matt Koch is the general manager of Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB). This self-supporting Virginia state agency provides direct employment and career pathways for people who are blind or visually impaired through manufacturing, retail, and service contracts.  Under Matt's leadership, VIB has grown to employ around 160 people — including 80 individuals who are blind — with an annual budget close to $60 million, and boasts a 94% employee satisfaction rate.  Despite losing most of his vision in his early 30s, Matt has held senior leadership roles in both government and private sectors. He is dedicated to empowering individuals with vision loss, helping them achieve professional success and independence. In this episode… Losing one's vision can shatter a career and identity. But for Matt Koch, it became the beginning of a new mission. After 15 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, Matt was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor that led to near-total vision loss and medical retirement. Rather than give in to despair, he rebuilt his life and found purpose leading Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB), a self-sustaining state agency that provides meaningful employment and career development for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. In this episode, Matt joins host Dean Thompson to share how he turned personal loss into a legacy of empowerment. He reflects on his journey from flying missions at sea to managing a multimillion-dollar organization that employs more than 160 people — half of whom are blind. Matt discusses how VIB's innovative model combines manufacturing, service contracts, and professional training to create pathways to independence. He also highlights success stories of employees who have gone from public assistance to homeownership, and the growing collaboration with NSITE to expand career opportunities nationwide. Matt's story is a testament to the fact that blindness is not a limitation, but rather an opportunity to create new perspectives on what's possible. Through resilience, mentorship, and a deep belief in human potential, he shows how challenges can inspire us to see beyond our circumstances.