Gene Johnson

WICHITA, Kan.— Envision, a company that promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision, has named Gene Johnson vice president and general manager of Envision Industries, its product manufacturing and assembly division. He will report directly to CEO/president Michael J. Monteferrante and will be based in Envision’s manufacturing headquarters here.

The appointment follows a period of nearly two months during which Johnson served as a contract employee helping Envision improve throughput, logistics and warehouse efficiency. It also marks the latest in a series of moves aimed at realigning Envision with the strategic plan approved by its board of directors. Envision has historically generated more than 98% of its revenue from the sale of manufactured products mainly to the military. However, recent cutbacks in military spending have driven the organization to begin offering products with more commercial appeal and striving to create greater awareness of its full catalog among consumers, businesses and the retail channels that serve them.

Johnson’s career history cuts across a wide range of industries and covers responsibilities ranging from inventory to logistics, safety, facilities, purchasing, finance/accounting, planning/forecasting, risk management, information technology, human resources and more. He spent the past six years as chief financial officer and a minority owner of Apex Engineering International, a Wichita-based leader in producing parts and assemblies for new and existing aircraft. Prior to that, he was senior vice president—accounting operations outsourcing services for Accenture.