Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired - Promoting self-esteem, independence and self-determination in people who are blind or visually impaired.

Honorary Chairman Brian Tierney and ASB Celebrate The 51^st Annual Louis Braille Awards

(pictured l-r) Dr. Roy Fitzgerald; Jack Thomas Tomarchio, who presented the award to Captain Smiley;
Patricia C. Johnson, ASB President & CEO; Captain Scott Smiley;
Jean Thomas representing The Seeing Eye; and Brian Tierney, Honorary Chair

ASB celebrated their 51st Annual Louis Braille Awards Ceremony Luncheon on January 28th at the Union League of Philadelphia with over 130 guests.

Recipients of the Louis Braille Award are recognized for their outstanding contributions on behalf of the blind and visually impaired community.  Without a doubt, this years honorees have gone above and beyond and full deserve recognition.

Brian Tierney, CEO of Brian Public Relations and RealTime Media, Inc., and former publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer, served as Honorary Chairman and expertly addressed the crowd of business leaders and attendees.  Mr. Tierney also presented the Corporate Honoree, NBC 10, with their award.  Dennis Bianchi, General Manager of NBC 10 accepted the award on their behalf.

The prestigious Individual Award was presented to Captain Scott Smiley by Jack Thomas Tomarchio, President of Agoge Group, LLC and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis for the Department of Homeland Security.  Captain Smiley was blinded by a suicide blast in Iraq in April 2005.  Since then, he has surfed in Hawaii, skied in Vail, skydived, climbed Mount Rainier, completed a triathlon, and graduated from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.  In 2009, he was assigned to the United States Military Academy in the Behavioral Science and Leadership Department where he taught Military Leadership.

Captain Smiley, a recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart (and many others), took Command of the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point in New York in February of 2010 where he is responsible for a company of 120 warriors in transition.

The Army Times named him Soldier of the Year in 2007 and in 2008 he won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. He received the General Douglas McArthur Leadership Award in 2009, and Father of the Year, by the National Father’s Day Committee, in 2010.

Captain Smiley and his wife, Tiffany, flew in from West Point to accept the award.

Receiving Special Recognition Awards were The Seeing Eye guide dog school for their incredible service to the blind and visually impaired community and Dr. Roy Fitzgerald, long time ASB Board Member, volunteer, and supporter.

     Captain Scott Smile and Brian Tierney

  Patricia C. Johnson pictured with Tiffany and Captain Smiley

    Patricia C. Johnson, ASB Staff Member and presenter Patti Lariccia and Jean Thomas