Photo: CLB
Community DC Host Dennis Glasgow visited with President & CEO Tony Cancelosi to talk about a myriad of topics including; what they offer and what they do, the latest tech, donations, volunteering and how to get further information and education on Columbia Lighthouse for the blind in Washington, DC. Visitors to the CLB website will likely see the opportunity to join the CLB SUSTAINERS Fundraising Campaign for Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.
The Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) Board of Directors appointed Anthony J. (Tony) Cancelosi, KMoB, President and CEO, in September 2005.
Under his leadership, CLB is refocusing its priorities to improve the services for the residents living in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia who are blind or visually impaired. To accomplish this goal, Mr. Cancelosi is expanding CLB’s strategic partnerships within the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and forging alliances with other blindness and disability organizations, both regionally and nationally. Mr. Cancelosi serves as a commissioner on the District of Columbia’s Workforce Investment Council, and represents CLB on the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board and Montgomery County’s Commission on People with Disabilities. As CLB increases the depth and outreach of its local programs, Mr. Cancelosi is working to identify and cultivate new sources of private and government funding, reduce administrative expenses, and bring an increased level of fiscal accountability to the organization.
Tony is responsible for developing a new membership of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s Governing Board. This new Board consists of corporate leaders who have helped CLB minimize expenses. In addition to the Governing Board, in 2009, Tony developed the Advisory Board which is comprised of more than 60 Members, and this group assisted CLB in successfully fundraising to acquire a mobile vision care unit.
Mr. Cancelosi comes to CLB with extensive executive experience. Prior to joining the nonprofit organization, he was President of ICL, an international software company, and the CEO of several for-profit technology companies including iBrite, Inc., eStara, and Source Digital. He also served as COO for Kee Systems (now Sylvan Learning). Early in his career, Mr. Cancelosi worked in sales for Control Data Corporation. His nonprofit experience includes involvement with the International Center for the Disabled, National Kidney Foundation, and the Special Olympics.
In addition to serving on CLB’s Board of Directors, Mr. Cancelosi is on the board of directors of the DC Police Foundation, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2020, Tony accepted a membership to the Cosmos Club of Washington, DC.
He serves as Secretary of the Providence Health Foundation, is President Emeritus of the Association for Corporate Growth, is Co-Chair of the Capitol Network Veterans Engagement Board, and was formerly Chairman Emeritus and on the board of directors of ServiceSource. Mr. Cancelosi is a Trustee of the Federal City Council, member of the Wharton Club and Leadership of Greater Washington Class of 2007. Recently, he also became a Knight of Malta and graduated from FBI’s Citizen’s Academy.
In 2009, Mr. Cancelosi received a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition in gratitude of his invaluable service to the community. Mr. Cancelosi was the 2013 Lido Civic Club of Washington, DC “Man of the Year.” In 2015, DC Councilmember Anita Bonds awarded Mr. Cancelosi with the Community Cornerstone Award; and the National Federation of the Blind of DC presented Mr. Cancelosi with the Presidential Award for exemplary and dedicated service to the blind and visually impaired. Lastly, in 2017 the Sons of Italy Foundation presented Mr. Cancelosi with the Humanitarian Award.