Dick Russo (l) and Glenn Rusk (r).

PARSIPPANY, N.J.— Safilo USA  has announced the retirement of optical industry veteran Dick Russo, executive vice president in charge of the commercial activities for North America, after 42 years of service. Glenn Rusk, who previously led Safilo’s Canadian business, has been named the new commercial senior vice president of Safilo North America and has become a member of Safilo’s Global Leadership Team.

"Safilo’s leading position in the North America eyewear market is in no small way due to the vision and drive of Dick Russo,” said Ross Brownlee, president of Safilo Americas. “His insights, market knowledge and humor will be greatly missed but we wish him well for retirement.”

Russo began his eyewear career in 1971 as an independent sales representative in the Safilo sales division of Starline Optical Corp. which went on to become Safilo USA, Inc. in 1991. He was promoted to northeast regional manager in 1983, followed by a promotion to division manager in 1988. In 1994, he was named vice president of optical sales and was later promoted to senior vice president of sales and customer service in 2001. He held that position for five years before becoming executive vice president of North America in 2006.

In addition to his four decade long career with Safilo, Russo has been an active member of The Vision Council, where he served on the board of directors for two consecutive terms before assuming his current position as secretary/treasurer and serving as a member of the Council's Executive Committee.