New OWA president Christie Walker
LAS VEGAS—The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) swore in their 2014 board during their annual strategic planning meeting here on Oct. 1 before announcing the new board at their annual Networking event last night.

New OWA president Christie Walker, welcomed guests to the networking event before announcing the new board, including six new board members: Kate Renwick-Espinosa, VSP Global; Debra Fortenzer, Debra Fortenzer Consulting; Jennifer Jackson, Opti-Port; Rebecca Johnson, EyeTrain4You, Inc.; Lori Lippiatt, OD, The Salem Eyecare Center; Barbara Wagner, Santinelli International. The six returning board members include president Christie Walker, Jobson; president elect Jodi Groh, Nanofilm; secretary/treasurer Heather Smith, VisionWeb; immediate past president Ann Englert, Englert Solutions;  board and committee heads Deborah Lochli McGrath, Altair/Marchon; and Karen Zappia, Live Eyewear.

Walker also thanked the six board members, who recently transitioned off the board, for their service to the organization specifically and to women in the optical industry in general. These past OWA board members include Amy Spezio, Eyecare Business; Laurie Badone, Carl Zeiss Vision; Sherrie Rogerson, REM Eyewear; Audrey Pavia, Tura; Gale Meyer, Diversified Ophthalmics; and Pam Gibson, Shamir Insight. These members were presented with tokens of appreciation at last night’s networking event.