LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.—Bruce Steffey has been promoted to president of National Vision, Inc. from his current role as chief operating officer, according to an announcement from the company.

In his new role he is responsible for the operation of National Vision’s 700+ retail stores. “Bruce has played a key role in the on-going growth and success of National Vision. But even more so his interpersonal graciousness and maturity have played a major role in forming the positive empowering culture we have here at NVI,” said Reade Fahs, National Vision’s CEO.

Steffey joined the company in 2002 as senior VP of store operations and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2004. Previously, he was senior vice president of store operations at Zale Corporation and the senior vice president at Service Merchandise. Steffey holds a B.B.A. degree in Management and Marketing from Wake Forest University.