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McLean, VA (December 1, 2011) — The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit that drives vision-saving research, will honor Irving Interests President and CEO Marty Irving, and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] CEO Walt Havenstein, with Visionary Awards at the 3rd Annual Northern Virginia Dining in the Dark. The unique event will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s research efforts toward treatments and cures for blinding retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans, young and old. Serving as emcee will be Washington, D.C., radio host Tommy McFly from 94.7 Fresh FM. Dining in the Dark is a distinctive sensory awareness experience in which guests participate in an unforgettable dining adventure, in complete darkness. For 30 minutes, attendees will enjoy their entrée using only their senses of smell, sound, taste, and touch, to get a glimpse into the lives of the blind. Visually impaired servers, who are trained specifically for the dinner to use a system of ropes and stanchions, will help guests navigate through this new culinary journey. Created in “We’re thrilled to recognize the achievements of two visionary industry leaders as we raise awareness about the challenges people who are coping with blinding diseases face on a daily basis,” said Dinner Chair Davida Luehrs, who is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This genetic disease, which also affects Luehrs’ college-aged daughter, is characterized by night blindness and a progressive loss of peripheral vision. “The Dining in the Dark experience is unforgettable and incredibly valuable as the Foundation Fighting Blindness makes significant progress in advancing cutting-edge research that will save and restore sight.” Fondly known as the ‘Mayor of Tysons Corner,’ Irving has been involved with the Foundation for almost 20 years as part of the DC Fantasy Hockey fundraising event. His compassion for the blind started at an early age when he accompanied his mother to her workplace: the Maryland Workshop for the Blind. Now president and CEO of McLean-based Irving Interests, the well-known developer was integral in transforming Tysons Corner into the thriving community it is today. Havenstein is CEO of SAIC, a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and environment, health and cybersecurity. His esteemed career in the defense industry has also included senior leadership roles at BAE Systems, Inc. and Raytheon. Havenstein served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1983 and completed his career in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1999, retiring as a colonel Individual tickets for Dining in the Dark are $500 and sponsorships begin at $2,500. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Matt Musgrove at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (410) 423-0623. To RSVP as a member of the media and all related inquiries, contact Allie Gebhardt at 410-423-0643 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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