From Software Developer to Contract Closeout Supervisor: Michael’s Inspiring Journey at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

When Michael lost most of his vision in 2006, he faced the daunting challenge of redefining his career. Once a software developer, Michael searched for a new path that would both support his family and leverage his skills. That search led him to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., where he discovered a new purpose in Contract Management Services (CMS).

Finding Opportunity Through the Lighthouse

Michael was introduced to the Lighthouse while participating in employment services through the San Diego Center for the Blind. An employment specialist connected him and encouraged him to apply to the CMS program. In 2012, he joined The Lighthouse as a Contract Closeout Specialist, eventually advancing to his current role as Contract Closeout Site Supervisor for NAVSUP San Diego.

What is Contract Management Services (CMS)?

The U.S. government is the world’s largest customer, managing contracts that range from magazine subscriptions to advanced weapons systems. Every contract follows a lifecycle:

  • Solicitation & award
  • Administration
  • Closeout

Michael’s team handles the critical closeout phase, ensuring that:

  • Contractors are fully paid.
  • Government customers confirm services and goods were received.
  • Equipment or intellectual property provided by the government is returned, destroyed, or cleared.
  • Unspent funds, called Unliquidated Obligations (ULOs), are recovered—saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

“Closing out contracts is like solving a puzzle,” Michael explains. “We track down points of contact, confirm details, and make sure all loose ends are tied up. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Adaptive Technology at Work

Michael uses screen magnification and occasionally a screen reader using Fusion and Windows Magnifier. These adaptive tools allow him to perform complex tasks efficiently.

Building a Mission-Driven Team

Michael supervises a team of six specialists, all of whom are blind or visually impaired. Together, they embody the Lighthouse’s mission: creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with vision loss.

“Our team is close-knit,” he says. “We support one another, and we prove every day that vision loss doesn’t limit professional ability.”

A Life Changed by Opportunity

For Michael, joining the Lighthouse has been transformative. “It’s improved my life immensely. I’ve been able to stay in my home, save toward retirement, and work with amazing people. I’m grateful every day.”

Why CMS Matters

Contract Management Services is more than paperwork. It’s about efficiency, accountability, and saving resources. By partnering with the government, the Lighthouse ensures that contracts are responsibly closed, while providing mission-driven careers to people with visual impairments.

“CMS is a win-win,” Michael says. “The government gets crucial support, and people like me get the chance to build sustainable, meaningful careers.”

Learn more about our Contract Management Services.