Mike Daley
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Industry veteran Mike Daley, chief executive officer of The Vision Council, has announced that he will retire in late 2016.

The statement from The Vision Council noted, “For over two years, Daley’s leadership of The Vision Council has produced a renewed strategic focus on the International Vision Expos East and West to provide attendees and exhibitors with the best possible educational and sales opportunities, and has continued the shepherding of the Think About Your Eyes industry campaign which continues to grow eye exams and increase sales, adding multiple new industry partners and state optometric associations. He has overseen the development of a new organizational vision, strengthened the mission and set specific, ambitious goals to better serve the needs of members and grow the industry at large.”

“It has been my sincere pleasure to lead The Vision Council over the last two years, and witness the many accomplishments of the organization,” Daley said. “I have spent my entire career working with and for the optical industry, and am tremendously proud of all the work that The Vision Council has done and continues to do on behalf of the industry that has given me my career.”

A longtime optical industry veteran, Daley began his optical career as an instructor with Ferris State University in 1975. After 34 years with Essilor he retired in 2008 as the president and COO of the organization's lens division. To advance the optical community, Daley has served as a board member or in a leadership position for a number of optical organizations including Optometry Cares - the American Optometric Association Foundation, Prevent Blindness America, The Illinois College of Optometry board of trustees, and served as a former director of the Foundation for Eye Health Awareness. His tenure with The Vision Council included the roles of chairman of the board of directors, liaison to the Lab Division, and finally the organization’s CEO. Most recently, he was honored with the 2016 ASCO Industry Leadership Award.

“Mike is one of the most respected professionals in the eyecare industry, and it has been a pleasure to work with him throughout his time at The Vision Council,” said Marty Bassett, chairman of The Vision Council board of directors. “His leadership has helped to increase the visibility of organizations offering vision care products and services, and raises the tide of the industry as a whole.”

The Vision Council is conducting a thorough search to select a new CEO. Inquiries may be sent to Donna Jones, senior director of human resources, at djones@thevisioncouncil.org or (703) 548-6782.