James A. Kutsch, Jr.

James Kutsch is a native of Wheeling, WV. He entered WVU in 1969, received the BA Degree in Psychology in 1972 and the MS Degree in Computer Science in 1973. In 1976 he received the PhD. Degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois. 

James was Assistant professor of Computer Science at West Virginia University from 1976 to 1979. Не joined the AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1979, as Acting Department Head of Custom Computing, Network and Documentation Support. He held various management positions at Bell Labs until moving to the Jacksonville operation in 1990. In his management position, James provided technical and administrative leadership which contributed to corporate achievement of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality /Award. 

James Kutsch has been Vice President at Convergys, Corp. since 1996. Convergys was formerly known as AT&T Solutions-Customer Care. In this position, he is responsible for facilitating technical solutions design, development, and program implementation for Convergys’ largest telecommunications client. 

James was blinded in an accident in his senior year in High School, but the handicap has not deterred him from achieving educational and professional honors. Some of these honors include Phi Beta Kappa, Psychology Honorary, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Bell Labs, President's Circle Award of AT&T Universal Card Services operation and being designated a National Lecturer by the Association for Computing Machinery. 

In 2008, Kutsh was recognized with an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Rowan University for his lifetime service to people with disabilities, including designing the first talking computer.  

Jim Kutsch served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey from August 2006 until he retired in December 2019. Currently working with his ninth Seeing Eye® dog, he received his first dog in 1970. During his tenure at The Seeing Eye, he also served as Chair of the Board of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), as Chairman of the Morris Animal Foundation Board of Trustees, and as President of the Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Industries for the Blind and was a member of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Prior to assuming the role of President at The Seeing Eye, he served 10 years on their Board of Trustees.   

He and his wife, Ginger, live in Damariscotta, Maine with their Seeing Eye dogs, Easton and Emma. His interests include amateur radio (call sign KY2D)