LINCOLN, Neb.—Gilan Cockrell, OD, FAAO, has joined Williams Group as executive vice president of corporate strategy. In private practice in Emporia, Kan., since 1980, Cockrell graduated from Oklahoma State University and received an optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry. He was president of the Kansas Optometric Association in 1998, chairman of the State Government Relations Center for the American Optometric Association in 2007, co-founder of the Eye Care Council and “See to Learn”  program, and recipient of numerous awards within his profession. He currently serves on the Kansas State Board of Examiners in Optometry.

“Dr. Cockrell is an impressively accomplished, results-oriented doctor and executive. We are thrilled he has joined Williams Group,” said Brad Rourke, Williams Group president and CEO. “We strive to deliver strategically innovative products and services, and Dr. Cockrell is the right person to lead Williams Group in this role. He has significant success developing and implementing growth strategies, and he has devoted his career to high-performance, patient-focused optometry.”

Cockrell said, “I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join the team. I am absolutely convinced Williams Group can help practices transition to a more patient-engaged, productive staff with increased profitability and improved time management.”