 |
| Don Yee |
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.—Don Yee—former chief executive officer of the Vision Service Plan (VSP) family of companies and founding president of VSP’s Eyefinity Internet portal—early this month was named president of OptumHealth’s vision business, which provides vision benefits to more than 18 million individuals, according to the company.
In his new role, Yee “will be responsible for the overall growth, leadership and direction of the vision business, including its optical lab and retail businesses, key market initiatives, new solution launches and industry leading delivery of services,” an announcement said. He takes over responsibilities from Laurinda Mackenzie, who had headed OptumHealth’s vision operation since May 2007; Mackenzie has left the company.
“From his senior roles leading top healthcare companies to consulting with Fortune 500 companies over the past 20 years, Mr. Yee is an experienced and well-known leader who is well-respected domestically and internationally in the vision industry,” said Diane Souza, who in mid-November was named president of OptumHealth Specialty Benefits, of which the vision business is a part. (OptumHealth Specialty Benefits, based here, is a division within OptumHealth, the health and wellbeing business of UnitedHealth Group.)
“We could not have asked for a better executive to lead this business,” Souza declared. “I look forward to the many contributions Mr. Yee will make toward leading the delivery of innovative vision solutions to our customers while implementing key growth strategies, building our organization and continuing our momentum.”
Yee joined VSP as vice president of marketing and corporate development in 1999; in December 2005, he was named chief executive officer of the VSP family of companies, which at that time included Altair Eyewear, VSP Labs and Eyefinity. He resigned from VSP in July 2007.
Before joining VSP, Yee spent five years leading a San Francisco consulting firm focused on strategy production and new business development.
“OptumHealth has been improving the health and well-being of people for many years, and this is what I am passionate about,” said Yee. “I’m glad to be on the OptumHealth leadership team and look forward to what we can achieve on behalf of all our customers and members in the months to come.”
OptumHealth’s vision business, previously known as Spectera, includes managed vision care, lab operations and the United Optical retail stores.
■