By Staff
Friday, August 16, 2019 12:15 AM
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.—
Oakley has announced that Derwin James Jr., free safety for the Los Angeles Chargers, has partnered with the brand. He will be the third football player to join Team Oakley, accompanying Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback
Patrick Mahomes and Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster, as
VMAIL previously reported. 23-year-old James was drafted to the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, after playing three seasons as a Florida State Seminole. During his rookie year, James was invited to his first Pro Bowl, and was named first-team All-Pro.
By Staff
Thursday, August 15, 2019 12:15 AM
FRONHAUSEN, Germany—Ophthalmic equipment maker
Schneider was recently honored with the German Innovation Award by the German Design Council for the invention of the Modulo Line, the first fully automated Industry 4.0 ophthalmic lens production system. An independent and interdisciplinary jury of experts selected Schneider for the honor. “Schneider’s Modulo Line lives and breathes Industry 4.0 and is a fantastic showcase of what its true power is—not just in theory but in reality. It provides fundamental competitive advantages like utmost efficiency and cost savings,” said Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer, a member of the jury.
By Staff
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 12:13 AM
CARLTON, Victoria, Australia—
Bionic Vision Technologies Pty Ltd. (BVT), an Australian medical device company working on retinal devices, reports that Ash Attia joined the company as its chief executive officer. The appointment rounds out the executive team at BVT, an announcement said, with the recent arrivals of both Brian Gordon as chief scientific officer and Dr. Adrian Oates as chief operating officer. With progress being achieved in its current clinical trial, the company said it is increasingly focused on planning for future pivotal trials, regulatory approval and commercial release of its bionic eye technology.
By Staff
Thursday, August 8, 2019 12:18 AM
BALTIMORE—
Versant Health has announced the speaker lineup for the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, which is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Volunteers of America Classic women's professional golf tournament at The Tribute Golf Links Clubhouse, The Colony, Texas. This event is the only LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) event in Texas this year. The Women’s Leadership Summit will welcome “a powerhouse lineup to its Inclusive Leaders session,” presenting sponsor Versant Health said in its announcement of the event. The summit, which is being held in conjunction with the LPGA tournament, will bring together leaders from multiple industries to explore workplace diversity and inclusion, share their own career and leadership experiences, and discuss strategies to drive long-lasting change.
By Staff
Monday, August 5, 2019 12:21 AM
NEW YORK—
VisionSpring’s board of directors announced the promotion of Ella Gudwin from president to CEO of the organization.
By Staff
Friday, August 2, 2019 12:21 AM
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—
Keplr Vision, the new company formed in late July to combine the former Total Eye Care Partners and Visionary Eye Partners under a single management platform—has named optical industry veteran Claude Labeeuw as senior vice president and head of business development. Labeeuw, an optometrist and economist by education, has focused his career on growing businesses in the eyecare industry, according to the announcement this week. Keplr announced its new name and structure a week ago, as
VMAIL reported.
By Staff
Thursday, August 1, 2019 12:24 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Global has announced the promotion of Wendy Hauteman to chief marketing officer (CMO). In the role, Hauteman will lead the organization’s global marketing strategy to deliver its products and services to a diverse set of stakeholders, including nearly 90 million VSP members, the company said. She will report to Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VSP Global. Hauteman succeeds Mark Ginsberg, who served as CMO since 2016, and moves into a new role as VSP Global’s chief giving officer.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 30, 2019 12:24 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
The Vision Council announced the Lab Division’s Directors’ Choice Award recipient and the industry veterans who have been chosen to be inducted into the Lab Division Hall of Fame for 2019. The Division has named Steve Sutherlin, The Vision Council’s Lab Division liaison and former president of
Sutherlin Optical, as the 2019 recipient of the Directors’ Choice Award. Sutherlin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 and will be honored again this year for his more than 45 years in the optical industry.
By Staff
Friday, July 26, 2019 12:15 AM
DULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision has awarded $7,000 in grants to three students who are members of the
National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). The grants were awarded at the 51st Annual
National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention on Friday, July 12 in Atlanta. These grants, which are made possible due to National Vision’s partnership with the NOA, are open to all active NOSA members in good standing with an optometry school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
By Staff
Thursday, July 25, 2019 12:18 AM
DULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision Holdings, Inc. (EYE) announced the appointment of Heather Cianfrocco, chief executive officer,
UnitedHealthcare Community & State, a division of
UnitedHealth Group, (NYSE: UNH), to its board of directors, effective July 24. Cianfrocco will serve on the board’s compensation committee.“We are thrilled to welcome Heather to our board of directors,” said Reade Fahs, CEO, National Vision Holdings, Inc. “She brings a deep expertise in the world of managed health care, clinical care strategy and operations, as well as experience in corporate and securities law specific to health care entities. Her unique and specific expertise couldn’t be better suited for our mission of increasing access to affordable eyecare and eyewear for budget-conscious Americans.”
By Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 12:15 AM
KNOWVILLE, Tenn.—Services are to be held later this week for Jesse Bryon “JB” Morgan Jr., 91, who passed away July 19. He was a veteran of the United States Army, served during the Korean Conflict, owned and managed several wholesale optical laboratories and was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church. JB enjoyed his profession making eyeglasses, and filled a garage full of classic cars. In 1949, JB met Ray Odom who persuaded him to work for American Optical (AO) in Jacksonville, Fla. rather than return to his hometown of Marion, N.C. After working in the Surface Department at AO, JB was drafted and served in Korea in the 31st Infantry Regiment on the fighting front. In 1952, JB returned to American Optical and worked his way up to assistant manager while attending business college at night.
By Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019 12:21 AM
ATLANTA—
Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALIM), a leader in the commercialization and development of prescription ophthalmology treatments for the management of retinal diseases, announced the appointment of John Snisarenko to its board of directors. Snisarenko has more than 30 years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including major retina and ophthalmology businesses. “John’s commercial experience in ophthalmology and other successful pharmaceutical products makes him a great addition to our board and a great resource to help me guide Alimera into the future,” said Rick Eiswirth, Alimera’s president and CEO.
By Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019 12:15 AM
ULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) has announced that Melissa Rasmussen will join the optical retail company as chief accounting officer, effective July 29. She will report to chief financial officer Patrick Moore. Rasmussen will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s accounting function, according to the announcement late last week. “We are excited to welcome Melissa to the National Vision team,” Moore said in the announcement. “She brings more than two decades of experience in management of accounting processes and controls, financial planning and execution, regulatory compliance and much more. Melissa will be a great addition to our finance and accounting team.”
By Staff
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—This week,
Vision Monday announced its roster of #Achievers, women from throughout the business and profession who were nominated and selected by
VM's editors as 2019’s "Most Influential Women in Optical." This special program, now in its 17th year, is eagerly awaited by
VM readers. This diverse group consists of executives, sales and marketing professionals, ECPs, administrators, researchers and teachers. This eclectic mix is emblematic of the broad reach of women in our industry and indicative of how deeply they are embedded in its fabric.