By Staff
Thursday, January 16, 2020 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—Luxottica Wholesale N.A. said it is investing in the evolution of its independent optical sales division, which accounts for the largest component of the company’s overall sales force. The independent optical sales division is made up of approximately 300 salespeople who serve ECPs throughout North America with Luxottica’s brands. "These changes will strengthen Luxottica’s consultative approach to ECPs by putting greater focus on brands and customer support," a company spokesperson told
VMAIL, adding, "the evolution is designed to empower Luxottica’s talent and rally them together as part of one family. The primary change will be a greater focus on brands."
By Staff
Thursday, January 16, 2020 12:15 AM
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—
Eversight has announced that two new members and a new chair have been named to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Eversight is a nonprofit organization with a mission to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research. Joining the Eversight board of directors are Carolyn Welsh, vice president & chief clinical officer, NJ Sharing Network, and Mahmoud N. Ghazzi, MD, Ph.D, MPH, an experienced researcher and biopharmaceutical consultant.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 12:15 AM
ST. LOUIS—Optometry Cares–The
AOA Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Dr. W. David Sullins Jr.
InfantSEE Award, which recognizes an individual doctor of optometry who has made significant contributions to optometry or his/her community for outstanding public service involving the InfantSEE program, according to an announcement. The award honors the memory of Dr. W. David Sullins Jr., and the late optometrist's inspiring and passionate leadership as a driving force in the profession of optometry. A memorial fund was established after his passing in 2005 and led to the creation of the award.
By Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:23 AM
CHICAGO—Tables, tickets and event sponsorships are still available for the upcoming Prevent Blindness 2020 Person of Vision Award, which will go to
VSP Global and its president and CEO Michael Guyette at the annual dinner to be held in New York on March 26.
Prevent Blindness, the nation's oldest eye health and safety non-profit organization, will benefit from all proceeds from the event, supporting the sight-saving programs of the organization. This year's event will take place at a new venue, at
583 Park Avenue, in New York City, in conjunction with Vision Expo East.
By Staff
Friday, January 10, 2020 12:21 AM
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.—Marvin Freeman, a pioneer in the luxury eyewear retail sector, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5. Many in the industry regarded him as a maverick, helping move eyewear into the fashion, luxury boutique space, giving many opticians and others their start in the business. As an independent retailer, he opened the first Optica store in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif. in 1977, and he eventually opened additional Optica locations across the U.S. After a brief retirement, Freeman moved to Las Vegas and opened the first Davante location at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, again followed by additional stores.
By Staff
Friday, January 10, 2020 12:18 AM
MONTREAL—
New Look Vision Group Inc. (BCI.TO) has appointed Jason Schonfeld, CFA, to the role of senior vice president, business development. Schonfeld joined New Look Vision in November 2015 as director, corporate development, according to an announcement earlier this week. He has held the position of chief financial officer of Iris, The Visual Group (1990) Inc. since October 2017. Iris is New Look Vision’s optometric division. “Jason’s track record and experience, from external growth to integration of acquired business units, most recently at Iris, are instrumental to support New Look Vision’s current strategic and operating priorities,” New Look Vision chief executive officer Antoine Amiel said.
By Staff
Thursday, January 9, 2020 12:24 AM
DALLAS—The
Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced the organization's 2020 OWA Award Honorees. Millicent Knight, OD and senior vice president, customer development group, at Essilor of America, will receive the OWA Pleiades award to recognize her exceptional action in advancing the leadership role of women in the optical industry. Jean Sabre, owner of Uptown Vision, will receive the Pyxis award to honor her as a member of the OWA who actively participates in the organization and contributes to its continuing growth. Sheena Taff, optician and optical writer, also known as
Optician About Town, will receive the 2020 Visionary Award, newly created this year to recognize her as an OWA member who demonstrates progressive thinking and actively cultivates the professional development of women.
By Staff
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 12:18 AM
APPLE VALLEY, Minn.—A memorial service will be held here next week for longtime optical laboratory executive and a respected member of the optical industry, Craig Giles, 61.
By Staff
Monday, January 6, 2020 12:21 AM
TORONTO—
Canada's Centennial Optical announced last Friday the death of the company's founder, past president and chairman, Roger de Pinto. De Pinto, 92, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1. "It is with great sorrow that we share this news," according to Centennial's current president, Allen Nightingale. "Roger de Pinto was held in great respect and is fondly remembered by his employees past and present, as well as his many friends and associates throughout the optical industry."
By Staff
Friday, January 3, 2020 12:15 AM
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Craig Giles, a veteran wholesale optical laboratory executive, passed away at his home here on Jan. 1, 2020. Giles joined Soderberg Ophthalmic Services in 1982, serving as executive vice president/general manager until 2014. When Soderberg merged with
Walman Optical in 2005, he joined Walman and served in senior management roles until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of Walman’s board of directors from 2005 to 2016, and also served as vice president of the board of directors of Global Optics from 2011 to 2015, helping manage the company’s daily operations.
By Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2020 12:21 AM
HAUPPAUGE, New York—
ClearVision has announced three new additions to their national sales team. These new appointments are Patti Gertzen, who will now take on the role of national sales recruiting director; Jill Eldridge, now regional sales manager for the South Central U.S.; and Charles Fegreus, who will now take on the role of sales manager for the Midwest region. In a press release the company, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019, said, “With continued expansion in the U.S., these three positions will play an important role in the strategic growth plans slated for 2020 and beyond.”
By Staff
Friday, December 20, 2019 12:18 AM
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.—
ABB Optical Group chief executive officer Tom Burke has been named one of the South Florida Business Journal’s 2019 Power Leaders in Health Care. The annual list honors 50 South Florida-based health care industry leaders who drive innovation and award-winning patient care, according to an ABB Optical announcement. A health care logistics leader with nearly 40 years of experience, Burke has guided world-class organizations through extraordinary growth trajectories, the announcement noted. During his time at ABB Optical Group, he has helped expand the company’s operations and solidified its role as a leading national provider of optical products and business solutions for the eyecare industry, the announcement noted. Most recently, he has led the rebranding of ABB Optical Group, refreshing the company’s brand identity and reinforcing its commitment to eyecare professionals.
By Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 12:18 AM
SAN RAMON, Calif.—The
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has honored
CooperVision for the fifth consecutive year with its Pre-Treatment Excellence Compliance Award, according to an announcement this week. The award was given to the company’s Juana Diaz contact lens production and packaging facility. The recognition is based on adherence to operating permit conditions, made possible by ongoing investment in the site’s sustainable infrastructure and employee training, according to the announcement.
By Staff
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 12:21 AM
KINGWOOD, Texas—
Vision Source, under the auspices of its Vision Source Next program, said a unique series of events for optomerty students this year has resulted in Vision Source practices hosting “approximately 20 percent of the nation’s optometry students” for local field trips to visit member practice locations. One of the objectives of the initiative is “to perpetuate private practice optometry,” Vision Source said in its announcement. Vision Source Next, launched in 2018, is a “professional advancement program shaping the future of independent optometry by providing a path to start, buy or work in private practice,” according to the announcement.