Gene Riebe's Story

If you ever find yourself at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and craving a snack, Eugene “Gene” Riebe is the man to see.

Riebe worked for the Minnesota Department of Revenue for 27 years as an auditor. In 1985 he lost his right eye, due to diabetes. Then in 2004 his life changed completely. He didn’t realize it at the time, but the retina in his left eye was barely attached. Riebe had surgery but retained only a 10 percent field of visual acuity.

After surgery his doctor referred him to SSB’s 
Rochester office.  Riebe, like many SSB customers, went to an adjustment to blindness (ATB) training center, where he learned skills including cane travel, braille, use of assistive technology and daily living skills. 

During his training, Riebe learned about SSB's Business Enterprise Program from Emily Zitek. The program provides profitable vending business opportunities and ongoing support to eligible blind Minnesotans.

Zitek could attest to the program's success: Her husband, John, was a participant and operated how own vending business.

Riebe decided it was just the right opportunity. He applied to the program and was accepted.  While waiting to start the six-month long training segment, Riebe worked for Zitek’s husband John, gaining valuable experience that would serve him well in the future.

In 2008, shortly after completing the training program and becoming licensed, Riebe became the operator of a vending business at Lino Lakes prison. A year later, he took over the business at the DNR headquarters. The DNR business includes a small convenience store and several vending machines. 

Riebe says he is doing great and enjoys his new profession. His store sells books, cards, food, beverages and his best seller, Public Recreation Informational Maps. People come to DNR for licenses and often end up in his store purchasing the maps. He enjoys interacting with customers, a real change after working as an auditor for so long. He also enjoys meeting other BEP operators and serving as a mentor  whenever possible.  He thinks that with the training he received through SSB and the BEP along with his experience adjusting to his blindness, he’ll be at the DNR for a long, long time.