What's New
FYI
By Lindsey Aspinall

Michael Copping, new v.p., sales and marketing

PEOPLE

Vision-Ease Lens has named Alejandro Lopez territory manager for Central America, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. Lopez brings 16 years of experience as a sales representative specializing in the Latin American region.

CIBA Vision, the eyecare unit of Novartis, has appointed Michael E. Kehoe as chief executive officer. He joins CIBA from a 27-year career with Proctor & Gamble.

The Optical Shop of Aspen (OSA) recently announced the addition of Michael Copping to the newly created position of vice president, sales and marketing. Copping is a former publishing executive.

AWARDS

Jessica Wertsch, was named Associate of the Year by Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc. Wertsch, a contact lens production specialist, is a six year veteran of Art Optical. In other news from Art Optical, both Nicole Edwards, NCLC, and Bethany Peebles, NCLC, received recent recognition for successfully passing the Advanced Certification examination of the National Contact Lens Examiners Association.

Essilor of America announced the grand prize winner of its "Pair Up Power Up" promotion. The participating ECPs received scratch-off cards each time they ordered Essilor single vision or progressive Transitions V Lenses with Crizal Alizé. Participants had a chance to win one of five $25,000 vacations. The grand prize went to Lauren Rowlette of Highland Family Optical, LLC, in Englewood, Colo.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Michael E. Kehoe, new chief executive officer

HOYA Vision Care North America has acquired Los Angeles-based prescription lab J.L. Optical. With 2005 estimated gross sales of approximately $7.6 million dollars and 50 employees, the lab's customer base is primarily in California and Hawaii.

Carl Zeiss Vision's Teflon Clear Coat Lenses brand was an official sponsor of the 2006 FBR Open PGA Tournament, which was held Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The FBR Open featured PGA favorites such as Phil Mickelson.

NOTICE OF RETRACTION

In a previously published Shamir ad, there was a wording error. The advertiser apologizes for the miscommunication. The language should have read: "Shamir Genesis and Piccolo were ranked # 1 in an independent study conducted at Ohio State University, School of Optometry, and published in Optometry, Journal of the American Optometric Association." The AOA does not endorse any product or service.