Latest News Transitions Optical Makes More Changes to Management Team By Staff Friday, April 4, 2014 12:30 AM Paddy McDermott. PINELLAS PARK, Fla.— Transitions Optical has made additional changes to its management team following the completion of the company’s acquisition by Essilor International, announced on Tuesday. Paddy McDermott, the veteran Transitions Optical executive who was named president of the company on April 1, told VMail that three other senior executives—Brian Hauser, general manager, North America; Alexis Cardona, global chief marketing officer; and Grady Lenski, managing director, adjacencies—all longtime Transitions Optical employees, have left the company. “The leadership changes are intended to quickly create alignment, drive efficiencies, and accelerate our ability to capitalize on Essilor’s and Transitions Optical’s unique talents and strengths,” said McDermott. “This will enable us to boost the expansion of photochromic products globally and accelerate growth for the Transitions Optical business and our customers.” Acknowledging the “substantial contributions” of the three Transitions Optical veterans, McDermott said they “all evolved in their roles as leaders in their own right and strongly contributed to driving our strong performance, expanding into new product areas and shaping the Transitions brand.” The supply of Transitions lenses to customers will not be affected by the changes to the management team, according to McDermott, who noted that Transitions lenses will continue to be made available through other lens manufacturers and all customers throughout the value chain. “Transitions Optical will continue its open business model and will remain focused on serving the needs of Transitions Optical’s lens manufacturing partners and growing their sales of Transitions lenses,” he added. McDermott, who reports to Bertrand Roy, senior vice president, strategic partnerships, Essilor, said Roy will also serve as leader of Transitions Optical’s North America region. Transitions’ global strategic marketing and sunwear business units will now report directly to McDermott.