MR. MICHAEL GENO 
Commissioner 
Michigan Commission for the Blind

Able to read large print until he was 12 years old, Michael Geno was transferred from a Saginaw "Sight Saving" classroom for partially sighted students to the Michigan residential School For The Blind, where he learned Braille.  At this excellent school no longer open in Lansing, Michigan, he was taught many other coping skills and graduated salutatorian of his high school class. 

While attending the Michigan School for the Blind, he was also mainstreamed part-time into the Lansing Public School system.  Part of his junior year, he traveled as Michigan's first blind international exchange student, attending public schools in Germany, taking classes at the Munich School For The Blind, and touring Italy.

He earned a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Michigan University in Communications Science and Broadcasting.  He engineered and hosted various radio programs before taking a position with Wayne State University managing audiovisual productions while coordinating alternative testing services.

He was honored to represent the United States in an international cross-country skiing race in the mountains of Norway, completing the 25-kilometer race as the fastest American blind skier to compete that year.  While in Norway, he studied teaching methods at the Oslo School For The Blind.

He has remained an active Lions member since 1976.  He coordinated his first service project in 1977 for the Capitol Area Transit Authority, producing Michigan's first Braille bus schedule.  Recognized by Lions Clubs International as a Melvin Jones Fellow, he has served for many years as Chaplin.  As Past President of his Port Huron host club, he has received numerous awards including Lion Of The Year.

He served from 1990 to 1995  as President of the Michigan Library Statewide Consumer Involvement Committee, and the Library of Michigan recognized him in 1995 with their Award For Service.  For many years, he also wrote regular feature articles for Perspective, a Library of Michigan publication.

He has taught himself adaptive computer technology, and he has recently organized a volunteer Computer Recycling For The Blind statewide program.  In 2006, he received the Spirit Of Port Huron Award for community service.

Commissioner Michael Geno is married, father to three daughters, and "Papa" to two granddaughters.  A cancer survivor, he continues to serve as Assistant to the Pastor in his community church while comforting persons in nursing homes and hospice.