SCENE + HEARD Transitions’ New Management Hosts 19th Annual Academy By John Sailer Monday, February 16, 2015 12:00 AM ORLANDO, Fla.—Transitions Optical’s new president, Paddy McDermott, and new North American general manager, Bertrand Roy, hosted the 19th annual Transitions Academy, the first since Essilor fully acquired the company in April of last year. Nearly 500 industry professionals from North America gathered at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for strategic business planning, educational workshops and professional development. Held under the “ACTivate” theme, the event focused on the company’s XTRActive lenses that react to natural light and darken behind the windshield of a car. Vision Monday was in attendance, documenting the event, its attendees and award winners: jsailer@jobson.com 1/11 Bertrand Roy, GM, North America, and Catherine Rauscher, global director for lenscaster partners, welcomed attendees to Transitions Academy. Walman Optical was named 2014 Lab of the Year. Costco Optical was selected as the 2014 National Retailer. Henry Ford Optimeyes was named the 2014 Regional. Christopher Allen, the executive director of the Opticians Association of America, received the President’s Award. Opto-Réseau was honored as the 2014 Retailer of the Year for Canada. The Transitions executives included new president, Paddy McDermott, and global marketing director, Sherianne Rogers. Patience Cook introduced attendees to Transitions’ new consumer marketing plans. Transitions’ Rose Wallace and Manuel Solis participated throughout Transitions Academy. Visionworks’ Doug Vigneau (l) and Glenn Collins. Essilor’s Michael Solosko (l) and Tim Spencer.