Board of Directors

Wendi Middleton, OUB President

Wendi is currently a Grant Specialist in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and “Family of Choice” to a young adult with a visually impairment. She lives in Lansing, MI.

Laura McGannon, Vice-President and Professional Relations

Laura is a Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired in Oceana county. Laura lives in Pentwater, MI.

Jacalyn Stallings, Secretary and Personnel Chair

Jackie is currently a Senior Rehabilitation Counselor at the Idaho Commission for the Blind. She is visually impaired and was a former camp director for OUB. She is a parent of a child with a visual impairment and lives in Hayden, ID.

Marcia Van Horn, Board Member

Marcia is a Graphic Designer and Marketing Consultant from Grand Rapids, MI.

Michelle Wallace, Board Member

Michelle is a Registered Nurse in Oakland County. Michelle is the mother of an adult with low-vision, and they reside in Rochester Hills.

Mike McNee, Board Member

Mike works for Trade Winds RV Center in Flint, MI, and is a long-time volunteer. He loves canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Gwen's photoGwen Botting, Executive Director

Gwen is the parent of a young adult who is blind and a college graduate. She lives in Ionia, MI. Gwen recently was awarded a recognition award by the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

More About Gwen: Gwen is a graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, IL and Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. Gwen and her husband, Jim, have two children: Greg, who is blind, and Krista. Greg and Krista are graduates of Alma College. Greg spent his second semester of his sophomore year attending the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Gwen was the President of Michigan Parents of Children with Visual Impairments for 12 years.

Gwen has been involved with Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind for many years, first attending OUB activities when her son was only 2-years old. Gwen has served as a board member of OUB and was instrumental in starting the organization’s gardening and cooking classes for blind and visually impaired campers. She became the Director of OUB in March of 2012 and Executive Director in September of 2013. She served as Camp Director of OUB activities at Camp Tuhsmeheta in 2012 and 2013 and at Camp Optimist in 2016, 2017 and steered the organization through COVID in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Gwen is also the past president and current secretary of the Lyons-Muir Lions Club.