Chas MacDonald.
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Costa’s president and CEO announced on March 9, 2016 that he will be retiring, effective April 30, 2016. An announcement regarding MacDonald’s successor to Costa will be forthcoming.

In 2014, MacDonald advised his staff and colleagues of his retirement plans. Following his retirement from Costa, he will serve as a senior advisor to the Essilor Sun and Reader division.

“Chas’ incredible commitment and passion for Costa has helped propel the brand to worldwide recognition,” said Eric Thoreux, president of Essilor’s Sun and Reader division. “His hard work and dedication to strong leadership are evident in his business success. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

MacDonald, who joined Costa in 2003, helped to grow the organization and see the company through two mergers and acquisitions. The first was its acquisition with A.T. Cross in 2003 and the second was its 2014 merger agreement with Essilor, Inc. At the time of the 2003 acquisition, the company’s sales were approximately $10 million. The brand is now on track to exceeding $150 million in sales by the year’s end.

Additionally, MacDonald has overseen significant investments in Costa’s lens technology. He introduced both the 580 mirrored lens and the 580P lens which now account for the majority of product sales. He also oversaw the building and growth of Costa’s apparel and prescription (Rx) sun lens divisions.

Along with this, MacDonald has helped establish Costa as one of the leading advocates for sustainable sport fishing practices and ocean conservation. The company was recently named as one of the top cult-like brands in the world at The Gathering summit and awards gala held earlier this month in Banff, A.B., Canada.

“The achievements we’ve enjoyed at Costa have certainly been a result of great team work,” said MacDonald. “I’d personally like to thank each and every one of my senior management staff, as well as the entire Costa organization, for their commitment to excellence for our brand.”

With a career that spans more than 30 years in the optical industry, MacDonald served as president of Outlook Eyewear (a division of Luxottica Group S.p.A at the time) as well as several management and financial positions within various divisions of Bausch + Lomb, Inc.