Thinking Big Enough To Change The World
We want to change the way the world understands and cares for adults with autism. If you experience autism or care about someone who does, then you already know there is a critical lack of care and support services for adults.
The Pathway to Change
We’re building the world’s most comprehensive, self-sustaining, intentional community for adults with autism where residents and other adults across the spectrum of autism diagnosis in the surrounding community can have access to meaningful work while achieving their maximum level of independence.
Jonathan’s Landing is being built by a team of autism and intentional community experts, university leaders and researchers, corporations and businesses, world-class entrepreneurs and strategists, and—of course—individuals and families who live with autism each and every day.
Our Mission
To relentlessly pursue solutions that provide a life of dignity, growth, and purpose for adults with autism and give parents peace knowing their child is safe and happy.
Our Founder's Story
What happens to Jonathan when I’m gone—where will he go for a lifetime of care and community?
This question was the driving force behind Jonathan’s Landing for Jason Eichenholz, whose son Jonathan is a young adult with autism.
As the co-founder of Luminar Technologies, a leading manufacturer of lidar and vision-based sensor technology, Jason lives an innovation mindset. 12 years ago, he had a vision for self-driving cars—and 8 years later, he began planting the seeds throughout his professional and personal network that would grow into Jonathan’s Landing.
Recognizing the stark reality that there is a “services cliff” once an adult with autism reaches 21, leaving them without access to the critical services they’ve had just when they need them most, Jason set out to change the paradigm. Everyone deserves a life of dignity, opportunity, and purpose, and Jonathan’s Landing will be a lifeline to managed care, meaningful work, and independent living for all adults living with autism.
Over the last four years, Jason has assembled a coalition of experts who began researching the best models for managed care, the most successful employment skills-based training, and business models for generating earned income for successful nonprofit management.
Out of that, a new paradigm emerged that puts enterprise at the center of the intentional community model, using profits generated from nonprofit businesses that employ adults with autism to create a self-sustaining community.
Our Vision
We are creating a new, self-sustaining paradigm for adults with autism where work and live exist on equal pillars. Where opportunities, services, and support are aligned to unlock individual potential and maximize independence. Everything we create and learn will be openly shared for free with the world.
Our Organizational Compass
To lead this paradigm shift in residential care and occupational support, we’ve built a litmus test to make sure our compass is always pointed north. When your compass is one degree off, it’s easy to slowly veer off course. This is how we stay our course.
Delivering The Highest Level of Care
to residents and their families through state-of-the-art living facilities, access to on- and off-site managed care, and occupational training and services.
Creating The Greatest Holistic Impact
to the overall quality of life and long-term independence of residents, as well as to the wellbeing of families and the local community.
Achieving The Lowest Financial Burden
to both residents and families, as well as the organization, by value engineering our business model through the creation of successful social enterprises whose revenues contribute to reducing costs.
Our Team
Jason Eichenholz
Jason is a tech executive, entrepreneur, and pioneer in photonics enabled product development. With two decades of experience, he’s led revolutionary projects and founded companies raising over a billion dollars in investor funding, including Luminar, which went public on Nasdaq. As a father of a son with autism, his next chapter is to create Jonathan’s Landing, aiming to revolutionize awareness, housing, and employment for individuals with autism.
Al Emerick
Al is a dedicated human connector with a career centered on communicating value. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he’s created performance management companies benefiting Fortune 500, small businesses, and nonprofits. An MBA graduate from Jacksonville University, Al is a father of three, passionately leading Jonathan’s Landing to improve people’s lives daily.
Amanda Glaeser
Amanda, a seasoned professional with over 15 years’ experience as a C-Suite executive assistant, coupled with more than 20 years of management expertise. Amanda is fueled by an unwavering dedication to empowering and assisting others.
Kimberly McCarten
Kimberly McCarten is a thought leader in health and human services specializing in program planning and organization design to help nonprofits scale, identify business opportunities, improve performance, and achieve their goals. As a lead consultant with Curtis Strategy, Kimberly brings 30 years of award-winning expertise advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jim Whittaker
Jim Whittaker offers nationwide consulting for inclusive housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With over 40 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he advocates for individual and family choice. He serves on various local, state, and national boards dedicated to innovating IDD services and support.
Jonathan Maricle, PhD
Jonathan Maricle, PhD, MFA, CSM, is the owner of Orlando-based mission-driven consulting firm Resonator. He brings over 25 years of experience in communications, product and process management, operations planning, and educational technology. He has taught in higher education at USC’s Darla Moore School of Business and the University of Richmond, while also building educational content for nonprofits nationwide.
Kevin Reynolds
Kevin, an MBA graduate from Crummer Graduate School of Business, joined Jonathan’s Landing early on, bringing an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach. He’s a VP of Mergers and Acquisitions at NewGate Capital Partners, managing a family office primarily focused on real estate and investments in healthcare, technology, and the food and beverage sectors.
Michelle DeVos
Michelle DeVos is a philanthropist, advocate, and mother of four children. She and her husband, Ryan, invest in programs focused on education and wellness. Michelle is the chair for Events with Jonathan, on the executive committee for Orlando Science Center and on the board of directors for the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and AdventHealth for Children Foundation. Previously, Michelle served as director of fan experience and operations for the Orlando Magic. Michelle is a graduate of University of Central Florida.
Peter McAlindon, PhD
Peter McAlindon, PhD, is Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship at Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business where he champions entrepreneurship education and supports local entrepreneurs. Pete is a serial entrepreneur, and his company, Blue Orb, Inc., is renowned for the orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard, an innovative solution for those with limited hand mobility, receiving industry accolades for its impact.
Rajiv Menon
Rajiv Menon, entrepreneur, startup investor, and speaker, leads Informulate, a software consultancy using Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and Agile methods. He founded the nonprofit Orlando Innovation League in 2016, hosting events like Quick Pitch and TechStars Startup Weekend Orlando. Rajiv is on the boards of Orlando Devs and Rally.
Dan Ward
Dan Ward, APR, CPRC, is President and owner of Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management, an Orlando-based agency. Curley & Pynn provides strategic communications services, advice, and counsel to clients in the electric and natural gas utility, higher education, economic development and insurance industries. A UCF graduate, Dan advises the Nicholson School of Communications and is a proud father of two, one of whom has autism.
Advisors
Kim Lopdrup
Kim Lopdrup, former Red Lobster CEO (retired in 2021), has a vast background in the restaurant industry. His roles include President at Darden Restaurants, COO at Burger King, and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands’ international division. He began at Procter & Gamble, and he now serves on the boards of Botrista Technology (Chairman), Wawa, and Bob Evans Restaurants. Lopdrup holds a BBA from William & Mary and an MBA from Harvard.
Ken Baker
Ken is a veteran financial and operations analyst, advisor, and business leader. A UCF graduate, Ken spent seven years with Walt Disney World and another decade as an executive at Universal Orlando in Financial Operations and Controllership. Ken’s career journey later included a focus on data analytics and building a restaurant analytics company which led to his current role as Chief Financial Officer for Hawkers Asian Street Food. Ken is a proud father to Kienen and Kalven (18 and 16) and a stepfather to Brandon and James (20 and 16) with his wife Delaina.
Chris Jöhncke
Christopher Jöhncke, UCF alumnus, is a serial entrepreneur and adventurer with Swedish roots. He founded iFixYouri, an Inc 5000-listed company, and Tech Reboot. As the founder of Big Banyan Digital and owner of Lingonberry Roastery & Bakery, he’s a tech industry leader, advocating for repair and technician standards. Committed to family, philanthropy, and spreading kindness, his mantra is “Be awesome. Be kind. Live with peace.”
Tony Benge
Tony Benge, President of Benge Development Corporation, has developed over 30 successful large-scale projects in Central Florida since 1994, including EastWood, Floridian Town Center, Traditions, and JB Ranch. He serves on the boards of Central Florida YMCA, Junior Achievement, North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Apopka Chamber of Commerce. Tony is married to Robyn Benge and is a proud parent to Anna, a recent UCF graduate preparing for law school.
Tim Baker
Tim Baker, Founding Principal of Baker Barrios Architects, spearheads strategic growth and performance. He’s a key development partner for the $1-Billion Creative Village in Downtown Orlando, known for public/private partnerships. Tim actively serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership Board, and his nonprofit work focuses on children’s causes, believing in the power of arts and education to uplift the community. He holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University and is a registered architect.
Christopher Male
Chris, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Autism Impact Fund, brings over a decade of venture and equity financing expertise across tech, healthcare, and impact sectors. Motivated by his youngest son’s autism diagnosis, Chris is deeply committed to revolutionizing support for the autism community. His pioneering work has gained recognition in Forbes, NYT, CNBC, and TechCrunch. Based in Winter Park, Florida, Chris resides there with his wife and three kids.
Contact Us
The work is well underway to develop Jonathan’s Landing, and we want to hear from you.
As we build our team and begin to share our journey, we hope you will remain in touch with us as we progress through the stages of our development.
