What's New
FYI
By Lindsey Aspinall

PEOPLE

Kenneth E. Woodworth, Jr., COMT, COE, has been announced as the 2006-2007 president of the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). Woodworth brings over 25 years of ophthalmic experience and knowledge to the position. He also holds a long list of past leadership positions, including the former secretary of certification and treasurer of JCAHPO. During his term, Woodworth said he plans to increase the availability of distance learning via state-of-the-art technology. He also plans to enhance JCAHPO's certification examinations, utilizing content updates and multimedia items.

The Mykita team on the last day of Silmo 2005

Carl Zeiss Vision's Randy Dannewitz has been named senior director, North American sales and operations, Rx labs. Dannewitz's prior role as director of sales and marketing, partner labs, will be filled by David George, former director of sales for the Eastern U.S. Gary Shepson, director of sales for the Western U.S., will now assume sales director responsibilities for the East Coast, as well.

Mykita is adding at least 15 new people to its team in order to increase production capacity and better assist its clients. Two new sales persons have also joined the North American Mykita team. Kimberley Rouleau will handle the Midwest, while Tom Cody takes on the West Coast.

The McGee Group recently appointed Charles Lee as its director of sales. Lee will service McGee's national network of distributors and regional changes while also playing a key role in the development of corporate sales and marketing strategy from the company headquarters in Marietta, Ga. Previously, Lee held sales positions with Marine Optical, and most recently, Nouveau Eyewear.

AWARDS

Left to right: Steve Robb, Pat Gantt, and Kenmark national sales manager Bart Floyd

Kenmark Group recently honored its top sales representatives at an annual awards dinner. Kenmark sales consultants were recognized for exceptional performances, outstanding sales, and consistent customer satisfaction. Pat Gantt and Steve Robb were awarded "Sales Representatives of the Year" for excellent sales and profit margins. Jim Seldin was awarded "Regional Sales Manager of the Year" for exceptional leadership, and the "Sales Volume Award," for highest sales volume. The "Consistent Exceptional Performance Award" was given to Allan Ostrow for on-going dedication, and the "Stock Order Award" was given to Chuck and Jean Ford for having the highest stock order average per month. The "Extra Effort Award" was given to Paul Goddard for his sales performance, and lastly, "Rookie of the Year" was given to Leland Yancey for an outstanding first year.

Walman Optical recognized its top performers at the company's national sales meeting. Top honors were awarded to sales and operations professionals who demonstrated superior performance. For the Walman Ophthalmic Eyewear division, Cheryl Boehm was recognized as "Account Manager of the Year," Bob Price was named "Branch Manager of the Year," and the "Branch of the Year" award went to the firms' Milan, Ill., lab which is headed by Bill Roesner. For the Soderberg Ophthalmic Eyewear division, Melinda Hunter was recognized as "Account Manager of the Year," while second place honors went to Charlie Luedtke. Sherry Hathaway was named "Branch Manager of the Year," and Tom Brown took second place honors. The company's X-Cel Contacts division named Jeff Condon as "Sales Person of the Year," while Tony Caporali was given the "Bob Fedler Founders Award." Bob Drake was named "Branch Manager of the Year." Lastly, Steve Mayfield was named "Instrument Sales Person of the Year" by the Instrument division.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Opti-Free RepleniSH Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS) from Alcon, Inc., was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all soft contact lenses including silicone hydrogel lenses. This Opti-Free MPDS is labeled to recondition the lens surface to retain moisture and comfort.

In line with a its strategy to
serve ECPs and continuously add technological value to lenses, Essilor of America, Essilor International's U.S. subsidiary, has acquired ACO Lab, Inc., in Commerce, Calif., and Focus Optical Labs, Inc., in Chicago, Ill. With respective revenues of $3.8 million and $3.5 million, the labs will continue to be managed by former owners and will now distribute Varilux and Crizal brands. Essilor of America has also acquired EyeCare Express Lab, Inc., in Houston and Accu Rx in Johnston, R.I.

Walman award winners Cheryl Boehm and Bob Price

SynergEyes, Inc., has launched an interactive Website to support its hybrid contact lens line. The site (www.synergeyes.com) offers product information including fitting techniques, lens specifications, parameters, case studies, and additional data. ECPs can now contact consultants and order lenses online. The company currently offers SynergEyes A and KC. M, a multifocal design, is anticipated for April, and PS is pending FDA clearance.

Beausoleil Eyewear recently moved to 5 bis, rue de l'Asile Popincourt; 75011 Paris, France. The phone number is + 33 1 42 77 28 29 and the Website, www.beausoleil.fr.

Transitions Optical recently introduced a new Trusted Worldwide marketing program in order to reinforce the value of the Transitions brand and help drive consumers to request the lenses by name, via national and print consumer advertising. This program includes a new certificate of authenticity, as well as a special sweepstakes promotion. For more information on the program, visit the Website at: www.transitions.com/trustedworldwide/ecp.

SAVE THE DATE

March 30-April 2, 2006. International Vision Expo East, New York, at the Jacob Javits Center. For more information, visit www.visionexpoeast.com or call 800-388-8106.

May 5-8, 2006. MIDO, Milan Fair, Portello, Italy. For more information visit www.mido.it.

May 11-14, 2006. Midwest Vision Congress & Expo, at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit www.midwestvisioncongress.com.

May 12-13, 2006. Educational Meeting for the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry, at the Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. For more information, call 239-542-4627.

June 21-25, 2006. The annual American Optometric Association Congress and AOSA Conference, Las Vegas, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. For more information, visit www.aoanet.org.

Aug. 3-5, 2006. Opticians Association of America annual meeting in Savannah, Ga. Visit www.oaa.org for more information.

Aug. 5-6, 2006. Educational Retreat for the Southwest Florida Optometric Association, Inc. For more information, visit the Website www.genesisgt.com/swfoa

Sept. 14-16, 2006. International Vision Expo West, Las Vegas, at the Sands Convention Center. For more information, visit www.visionexpowest.com or call 800-811-7151.

Nov. 9-11, 2006. OLA annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., at the Gaylord Palms Resort. For more information, call 800-477-5652.

Dec. 7-10, 2006. American Academy of Optometry meeting, Denver, at the Colorado Convention Center. Visit www.aaopt.org.