Tony Sommer.
SAN RAMON, Calif.—CooperVision Specialty EyeCare has appointed Tony Sommer Jr. as general manager, Americas. Sommer will lead the organization’s continued growth and projected category expansion across the U.S., Canada and Latin America, beginning this April, according to a CooperVision announcement this week. Sommer—who has two decades of industry-related experience—most recently served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Visioneering Technologies Inc., where he led strategic planning and commercial operations for the company’s contact lens portfolio.

Previously, he was head of sales for Bausch & Lomb’s U.S. Vision Care division and held senior sales and marketing roles with CIBA Vision/Novartis, in addition to working with other health care entities.

“Our dedication to collaborating with eyecare professionals starts by investing in our team,” said Juan Carlos Aragón, president, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “Tony adds new perspectives and expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as an industry partner and expand our presence in the Americas and worldwide.”

Sommer has been an active board member of the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition since 2019. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University, and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the United States Air Force Academy.

CooperVision Specialty EyeCare develops, manufactures and provides access to an unmatched portfolio of industry leading soft custom and rigid gas permeable lens designs, including orthokeratology and scleral lenses to address segments such as myopia management, irregular cornea management and presbyopia management. Its steady voice, ongoing research and innovative products and services play a leading role in expanding care worldwide, the announcement noted. The group’s brands include Blanchard, GP Specialists, Paragon, Procornea, Soflex, and No7.

For additional information about the company’s products, visit CooperVisionSpecialtyEyeCare.com.