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GREEN BAY, Wis.—Shopko Optical, the retailer that emerged from the bankruptcy of Shopko Stores in mid-2019, has named Shawn Jorgensen and Michelle Bender as regional managers. The retailer also has promoted Angelique Sims, a general manager for the Dixon, Ill., location, to market manager, according to an announcement this week. Shopko Optical, the trade name of Shoptikal LLC, is a portfolio company of investment firm Monarch Alternative Capital LP, has a team of nearly 700 optometrists and opticians (independent ODs in Iowa, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Washington).

Shopko, which opened 80 freestanding optical centers in 180 days last year, was acquired out of bankruptcy court for $8.5 million by Monarch Alternative Capital, as VMAIL reported. 

In the recent management expansion, Jorgensen will take on responsibility for managing the Western U.S. locations of Shopko Optical, including Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah. Jorgensen has more than 20 years of experience in multi-unit leadership in specialty retail and retail health as well as 10 years of optical experience.

Prior to joining Shopko Optical, Jorgensen worked as the territory sales director for Hearing Life in the Colorado market. In the optometry industry, Jorgensen led strategic initiatives and directed successful teams as regional vice president for VisionWorks, LensCrafters and Target Optical.

“I’m excited to have Shawn as part of our field leadership team,” Shopko Optical chief operating officer Kirk Lauterback said. “His pragmatic approach to supporting his team and fostering great results combined with his strategic business-growth expertise will be paramount to supporting Shopko Optical’s growth strategy.”

Bender has been named a regional manager for South Dakota, Nebraska and western Minnesota. She comes to Shopko with more than 17 years of multi-unit optical leadership experience with Luxottica and VisionWorks. Most recently, she worked a senior regional sales manager for Luxottica, serving 74 Sears Optical locations.

“Michelle has a proven track record as a results-driven leader and coach,” Lauterback said. “She brings energy and passion for the business, and I’m confident her teams will thrive under her leadership.”

Sims, who has been named a market manager for central and southern Illinois, has more than 25 years of optical experience, working as an optician and general manager within private practice and retail centers. Since 2016, Sims has served as the general manger for Shopko Optical in Dixon.

“Angel has demonstrated an outstanding ability to represent the Shopko Optical brand and lead her team to deliver exceptional service and results,” Lauterback said. “She has consistently taken on new challenges for Shopko Optical, and I’m excited for her to have the opportunity to influence and more broadly serve in this new role and support our new store growth in northern Illinois.”