LAKELAND, Tenn.—At the recent National Opticians Convention in Cincinnati, the Opticians Association of America (OAA) held their Annual Delegate Assembly Meeting, where Shirley Earley of Ohio was elected president of the association.

According to the organization, Earley is the fourth female to be elected president in the organization’s history. Her election also represents the first time that back to back women have been elected as president of the organization.

“It is very humbling to know that the OAA membership has the confidence in me to lead our organization. Our association has made many great strides for opticians over the past few years and I want everyone to know that we, as an organization, are only getting started. The future is extremely bright for the American optician,” Earley said.

The OAA voting delegates—which serves as the voting body of the association and consists of OAA members from all over the U.S.—also elected a new executive committee and four new opticians to the OAA board. The election results are as follows:
  • Shirley Earley (Ohio) – President
  • Tom Barracato (Ohio) – 1st Vice President
  • Sandy Brown (Ky.) – 2nd Vice President
  • Russ Fritz, Jr. (Conn.) – Treasurer
  • Pat Kuhl (Ohio) – Board Position representing OAA Individual Membership
  • Kathryn Ring (Mich.) – Board Position representing OAA Firm Membership
  • Denyse Blandina (N.H.) – Board Position representing OAA Member State Associations
  • Doug Pelkey (Mo.) – At-Large Board Position
Established in 1926, the OAA serves as the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests. OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.

For more information, visit www.oaa.org.