Under the leadership of CEO Jon Katz, Bestwork Industries for the Blind has transformed from a small manufacturing facility into a dynamic social enterprise, marking notable financial and operational growth. The New Jersey organization has diversified its offerings and expanded its workforce from 65 to 95, specifically targeting increased employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Katz led the expansion of Bestwork’s lines of business from one to four: textiles, e-commerce, document scanning and digital imaging, and kitting/packaging/light assembly. Revenue more than doubled from $11 million in 2022 to $23 million in 2025. Katz has also led Bestwork’s expansion into new communities. He prioritized the launch of two satellite locations in North Jersey and one in South Jersey to employ people who live outside of the commuting radius of its Cherry Hill headquarters.

Years in current role: 4

Education: B.S., Montclair State University; M.S., U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; M.A., U.S. Naval War College

Originally from: Oakland, California

A word that best describes me: driven

A distinguishing moment in my time as CEO so far: Transforming Bestwork from a small, self-sustaining manufacturing facility with one location and one line of business into a full-service social enterprise with four lines of business and four locations, and launching a Blindness & Low Vision Services Center.

My business philosophy: Is to build high-performing teams by creating an environment for success. I do this through positive leadership, clear direction, providing the right tools, and demonstrating unwavering support, so my team knows I have their back.

To build trust with my team, I: Lead by example. My approach is grounded in integrity, complete transparency, and honesty. I listen intently, and I foster a mission-centric culture built on mutual respect. Our framework is built on the '4 Cs': communication, collaboration, coordination, and cooperation.

To maintain a competitive edge, I: Focus on two key things: foresight and engagement. It’s not enough to just keep up; you have to be out in front, on the leading edge of your marketplace. This means always looking at the long game for all our lines of business and constantly asking, 'What's next?' The engagement piece is how we find the answers. I make it a priority to explore innovation and modernization through dedicated research, but also by connecting with my peers. Attending industry events and being active in professional circles isn't just about networking — it's about staying relevant, sharing ideas, and ensuring we are always positioned to lead from the front.

A business icon I admire: Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple

For fun I: My favorite thing is spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren. I’m an avid cyclist and love to get out on the water for offshore fishing. I also really enjoy cruising around in the '64 Chevy Nova that I restored.

Go-to spot for a business meeting: a conference room in a local hotel

Something I do daily to set myself up for success: Exercise, catch up on the news, and eat a good breakfast.

How I’m using my influence to impact change: Creating a robust strategic vision centered on growth, expansion, and transformation and establishing aggressive plans of actions and milestones to achieve our ultimate goals.

Please join us in congratulating Jon on this wonderful recognition!