Marge Axelrad.

NEWARK N.J.—Jobson Optical Group announced today that after 35 years, senior vice president and editorial director of Vision Monday and VMAIL, Marge Axelrad, has decided to retire, effective March 31, 2024. Axelrad will continue to play a role for Jobson during this transition period and will remain active in monitoring industry news and key developments in the industry. She will also continue to represent Jobson at key industry meetings and events in the U.S. and internationally and will play a key role in the upcoming Vision Monday Leadership Summit in March prior to Vision Expo East 2024.

“I remember the day that I first met Marge,” said Bill Scott, president of the Jobson Optical Group. “It was in the Jobson offices on Park Avenue South. She wasn’t all that interested in the job as I recall. But the more we talked, the more I became convinced that she was the one we needed for the journey ahead. There was a drive to succeed, an inner confidence and great instincts and by the end of the interview, I knew one thing—she may not be all that interested in us—but we were interested in her. It is without doubt one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”

Prior to joining Jobson, Axelrad held a series of journalism roles in B-to-B publishing spanning more than 15 years that included covering the men’s fashion and home furnishing industries before being hired in May of 1988 as the editor-in-chief of Vision Monday, a year after its launch.

Shortly after being hired, Axelrad and the team she created redefined and shaped news coverage of the optical business as the industry was expanding significantly in all sectors.

In 1998, Vision Monday inaugurated VMAIL, a weekly digital newsletter. VMAIL is now published daily and has become the primary delivery vehicle for news developments with readership throughout the U.S. and international optical communities.

Axelrad also oversaw the launch of VisionMonday.com, which complemented and enhanced the distribution of Vision Monday’s print edition and VMAIL. In 2007, Axelrad was also instrumental in the launch of the Vision Monday Leadership Summit, which is now regarded as a key and influential gathering of the industry’s leading decision makers.

“Marge Axelrad’s contributions to our industry have been absolutely immeasurable,” said James DeMatteis, group publisher of 20/20 and Vision Monday. “She is a journalist in the purest sense of the word and a true icon in our industry. Her talent, leadership and dedication to her craft are irreplaceable and her presence will be missed. We, her Jobson family, wish her nothing but the best in her retirement.”

Axelrad is a founding board member of the Optical Women’s Association (OWA), served as co-president and is currently on the OWA nominating committee. She was honored by the OWA in 2013 with its Pleiades Award.

In 2017, Axelrad was recognized as Prevent Blindness “Person of Vision.” She has also served on the national board of Prevent Blindness America (2009 – 2013) and continues to help its development committee. Axelrad currently serves on the board of trustees of the SUNY College of Optometry of New York’s Foundation. In 2008, Axelrad was recognized by the Accessories Council with its “Hall of Fame” award and in 2011 she was honored by SUNY’s Optometric Foundation.

With more than 35 years of experience as an eyewear and vision care market observer, columnist, and frequent speaker about optical industry issues in the U.S. and internationally, Axelrad currently oversees Jobson’s coverage of industry developments via Vision Monday, VMAIL, VisionMonday.com and the Vision Monday Leadership Summit. She is also the editorial liaison for the Jobson Research Group.

Marge leaves an indelible mark on the industry, Jobson Publishing, and her many friends and colleagues all over the world.

A search is currently underway to identify her successor.