Paul G. Howes.

CHICAGO—After holding their Annual Board Meeting here on Nov. 9, 2013, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has announced the election of Paul G. Howes as the new chairperson of PBA’s national board of directors. Also elected at the meeting were two new board members, Torrey DeKeyser, executive director of the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and Mike Daley, optical labs division liaison of The Vision Council.

Howes joined the national board of directors in 2004 and has served in various leadership roles over the years, including the executive committee, PBA said. He will take over as board chair with more than 25 years of experience in commercial strategy, product development and senior management in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, as well as ophthalmic industry experience. His most recent position was as president and CEO of Inotek Pharmaceuticals, a privately-funded company developing a novel medicine for glaucoma, and previously he served as president of the Americas Region for Bausch + Lomb with leadership responsibility for Bausch + Lomb’s Vision Care, Surgical and Pharmaceuticals business segments.

DeKeyser, who joined EyeSight in 1999, joins the board following a 20-year career with the University of Alabama in the areas of university advancement and administration. DeKeyser additionally belongs to the National Eye Institute’s VISION Network, is currently involved with the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and the Priory in the USA of the Order of St. John and has served on the PBA government affairs committee.

Daley has served the optical industry for more than 40 years, having been president and CEO of Essilor of America's U.S. Lens Division, known as Essilor Lenses, and later joining The Vision Council in 2012. Daley served on the PBA Florida board of governors from 2003 to 2006, and in 2006 joined the PBA national board of directors, where he served a full term. He will rejoin the board as well as serve on the PBA development committee.

“Our national Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from all different backgrounds who bring their unique talents and expertise to the table, making our organization as great as it can be. We look forward to the leadership of our new members and chairperson,” said Hugh R. Parry, PBA president and CEO. Parry also thanked outgoing board chair, James Anderson, for several years of dedication.