SCENE + HEARD: Discover Essilor Hosts Reception to Honor Dr. Howard Purcell By Staff Thursday, July 19, 2018 3:57 PM DENVER—Essilor executives and others expressed their gratitude—and other sentiments—at a farewell reception the company hosted here last month for Dr. Howard Purcell, who in April was named as president and chief executive officer of the New England College of Optometry. Purcell, the former senior vice president of customer development for Essilor of America, assumed his new role at NECO on July 2. Several of his colleagues, including incoming Essilor USA president Rick Gadd and chief marketing officer Sherianne James, stepped up to offer anecdotes and tributes during the early-evening gathering on the Denver City Terrace of the Hyatt Regency here. Read More.