Michael C. Ferrara.
OXFORD, U.K.—Adlens has announced that the company's CEO and executive chairman, Michael C. Ferrara, has decided to retire as an officer and director, effective Sept. 30. Ferrara will continue to counsel James Chen, Adlens’ co-founder, owner and new chairman, in the capacity of senior strategic advisor.

"Mike has worked tirelessly to transform the business into the global commercial enterprise that it is today, and has led the team to commercialize the VPO technology such that we are now in a fantastic place to bring about change in the optical industry," said James Chen. “I would like to express sincere gratitude to Mike and I’m committed to the future of Adlens as we continue to reinvent eyewear.”

Ferrara commented, "I've been privileged to grow Adlens from a research organization to a successful global company. We have built something disruptive and unique for the optical industry, and the team is well positioned for the future, so it's time to move on and transfer leadership for the next growth phase. AdlensFocuss is truly a disruptive innovation in lens technology and I’m proud to have been a part of its genesis."

Frank Lavety, SVP of manufacturing and operations, will take on the role of interim CEO and will assume responsibility for the day to day running of the business, the company said, adding that the board of directors will conduct the process to choose Ferrara's successor and will consider internal and external candidates for the position.

David Eichelberger, SVP Adlens, added, “I am incredibly optimistic about the feedback we’re hearing from consumers about AdlensFocuss in the United States. We’re already available in nearly 100 ECPs and are planning our expansion. I look forward to the next five years of breakthroughs that Mike has positioned Adlens to achieve. "

The company noted that Ferrara’s decision to retire from Adlens will mark the next chapter in a career of over 50 years, with 15 of those years spent in the optical industry. Ferrara assumed the management of the Adlens Group of companies in September of 2011. Prior to joining Adlens, he held chief executive positions at both public and private companies, including more than 10 years as the CEO of Marine Optical Group, Inc.