fyi

News bites from the industry

Lindsey Aspinall Getz

PEOPLE
Michelle Clark, the new CFO of Kenmark Group	Michael Osborn of Silhouette Optical	Bruce Edward Anthony, Sàfilo sales veteran
Michelle Clark has been promoted to chief financial officer (CFO) of the Kenmark Group. Clark began her career with the company in 1996 as the accounting manager, left in 1999, and returned in 2006 as the controller. Prior to returning to Kenmark, she was manager of financial reporting for a publicly traded company. Viva International announced that Jon Martinez has joined the company as the public relations and advertising manager. Martinez has over 18 years of experience in the fashion eyewear industry. Silhouette Optical Ltd., has restructured its laboratory services through a partnership with Pech Optical Corp. Pech Optical has incorporated key personnel, proprietary technologies, and equipment from Silhouette Optical Laboratories, which recently closed. Michael Osborn, former technical director of the Silhouette Optical Laboratories, has been promoted to the position of technical professional liaison for the company. His primary responsibilities will be to communicate information to both Pech Optical and the Silhouette Friendly Lab System. OBITUARIES Edwin Kerman, 83, of Louisville, Ky., passed away on May 16. Kerman was the founder of the Monfried Optical Retail Chain and Louisville Optical Wholesale Laboratory. He was also a president of the National Association of Optometrists and Opticians (NAOO). Kerman was preceded in death by his wife Florence. He is survived by two sons, Mark and Kenneth. Mark is founder and CEO of the Kenmark Group and Kenneth is an endodontist. Bruce Edward Anthony, a 22-year veteran of Sàfilo's sales division, passed away on June 27 at the age 60 after a short battle with cancer. Anthony is survived by his wife, Becki, and two children, Seth and Erica. A memorial service was held in Anthony's hometown of Findlay, Ohio.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Vistakon, division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has launched ACUMINDER, a complimentary online "reminder" service. Contact lens wearers who register can elect to receive an automatic reminder via e-mail, text message, and/or a computer desktop prompt. Registration is open to all contact lens wearers at www.acuminder.com.

The Vision Council of America's AR Committee created an in-flight commercial that ran on US Airways domestic flights in July. Promoting the benefits of AR lenses, the 90-second spot encouraged viewers to consult with an ECP to learn more.

Transitions Optical, Inc., was included in a Summer Travel media tour, which brought thousands of television viewers an important message about UV protection. The tour was aired on local affiliates of national TV networks, reaching nearly 900,000 viewers.

The Optical Shop of Aspen (OSA) opened a new location in East Hampton, N.Y. The store has been completely re-modeled with the OSA brand image. Helen Tran O.D., James Lloyd, manager and licensed optician, and the sales staff say they are dedicated to creating the perfect environment for their customers.

AWARDS

Modo has announced that Chris Thomson of Pflugerville Vision Care in Pflugerville, Texas, is the first winner of the ModoBiz monthly contest. Customers who make purchases through ModoBiz.com have the chance to win. Memberships can be activated at 800-223-7610.

Shamir Insight has announced the winner of the Creation Education Tour's promotion. Michael Zucker of Accent on Vision in Tucson, Ariz., will receive a 42" Plasma TV.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has selected the Vision Council of America's (VCA) Check Yearly. See Clearly. campaign to receive a Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation. The campaign was chosen in the category of Media Relations—Consumer Services Health Care Services.

ShopKo Eyecare Centers has recognized Transitions Optical, Inc., as its Lens Vendor of the Year. The award was presented at ShopKo's annual conference, which was recently held in Green Bay, Wis.

The new Optical Shop of Aspen location in East Hampton, N.Y.

William Lee from East Bay Vision in Fremont, Calif., was the grand prize winner in Eastern State Eyewear's Police Eyewear Window Watch promotion. He won a trip for two to Las Vegas. Beverly Peterson and Marcy Apple were runner-ups.

Thomas Eye Center of Athens, Ga., was the first to win one of four vacations given by Carl Zeiss Vision in the AO Easy Tropical Shopping Spree Sweepstakes. The contest highlights the addition of 1.67 clear and Transitions lenses to the AO Easy material lineup.