Latest News Ameritas’ Karen Gustin Appointed Chair of NAVCP By Staff Wednesday, May 4, 2016 12:30 AM Karen M. Gustin. NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Karen M. Gustin, LLIF, executive vice president of the group division for Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. has been named chair of the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP). The appointment was made by the group’s board of directors at the annual Specialty Health Summit held here earlier this week. Gustin will assume the two-year term effective immediately, succeeding former NAVCP chair, Aspasia Shappet, president and CEO of MESVision.Gustin began her career at Ameritas in 1983; in 1995, she was appointed to assistant vice president of marketing and managed care. Since 2001, Gustin has guided Ameritas’ group division in a variety of senior leadership roles, with responsibilities for group communication, advertising, product development, market research, PPO functions, national accounts and all distribution. In addition to serving on the NAVCP board of directors since 2012, Gustin is involved with the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP); she is the past chair of the NADP board of directors, participated on their foundation board, and is a former chair of the NADP statistical task force.“Under Aspasia Shappet’s leadership, NAVCP launched and developed substantial initiatives aimed at transforming the managed vision care industry. I look forward to continuing and building upon the momentum NAVCP generated during her tenure,” said Gustin. “Managed vision care is a key driver of eyecare and eyewear consumption in the U.S. NAVCP members will work to ensure consumers have greater access and choice when it comes to quality vision care.”Julian Roberts, NAVCP executive director, added, “Karen Gustin has a proven record effectively leading large, industry-centric membership associations. As chair of NAVCP, she’ll be in even greater position to lend her talents, energy and wealth of industry experience to fulfill our organization’s mission.”The National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) is the trade association for the managed vision care industry serving as the voice for the vision benefits industry. The Group Division of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. has served customers since 1959 and today provides dental, vision and hearing care products and services, insuring or administering benefits for more than 6.4 million Americans.