FYI

By Lindsey Aspinall

People

L�Amy America announced that Connie Reiss has been appointed the worldwide brand unit manager for Columbia Eyewear. Reiss has over 10 years of experience in the sunglass industry.

Kenmark Group has promoted Tina Crawford to vice president of operations. Crawford joined the company in 1989 and has held various positions over the years. Crawford will be responsible for overseeing the daily operation in the warehouse.

Tricia Beavers joined Con-Cise, LLC, as area manager for the Orange County territory in Southern California, while Victoria Schiffer was brought on to cover the San Jose and Silicon Valley territories. Chad Mirr has been with the company for more than a year and has taken over the territories of Jack Jenkins, who was promoted to director of sales.

Practical Systems, Inc., has announced that Gary Peterson will be the new technical sales manager for the western U.S. Peterson is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Gary Peterson of Practical Systems, Inc.

Transitions Optical Inc., has named Paul Castner the marketing communications manager. He will provide guidance for the company�s growing consumer outreach

initiatives and trade relations.

Scott Douglas Schmidt, 45, passed away on January 2, 2007, after a brief illness. Schmidt was vice president of sales and marketing for Seoco, Inc., in Champaign, Ill. Schmidt was an active volunteer in the Crisis Nursery of Champaign County, as well as the American Cancer Society.

Business Updates

Santinelli International has announced the release of a DVD featuring live interviews with some of the company�s key wholesale labs that are utilizing the NIDEK lens finishing automation. Contact Steve Swalgen, the company�s national director, lab business, at 800-644-3343, ext. 325, to obtain a free copy. 

The American Optometric Foundation (AOF) has recognized Carl Zeiss Vision for its generosity in establishing the AOF Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowship honoring achievements by third-year optometry students. Successful applicants must exhibit a commitment to clinical excellence and the independent practice of optometry.

PPG Industries, Inc., recently announced the addition of longtime

partner Signet Armorlite, Inc., to the CR 39 Licensed Lens Caster Program. Signet Armorlite joins over a dozen other loyal caster members from around the world who comprise this expanding group.

Optogenics of Syracuse, N.Y., has announced the celebration of its 20th anniversary. Brothers Robert, Ron, and Ralph Cotran were joined by customers and employees, along with John Carrier, president of Essilor Laboratories of America,

in celebrating this milestone. Optogenics of Syracuse was established in 1986 when the brothers

purchased the assets of the lab. The lab has grown from 85 prescriptions per day to around 2,000 and from 15 to 100 employees.

The revised Ophthalmic Dispens-ing Guide (ODG) is now available from Optical Services Inter-national. The revised ODG is a comprehensive resource for ECPs and includes up-to-date information on lens materials and styles including in-depth information on PALS, frame materials and styles, frame fitting tips for dispensers, and other points of interest. The loose-leaf format allows for periodic updates. Put together by national trainer and educator Jenean Carlton, it is available through OSI member labs. For more information, call 800-228-7554.

Transitions Optical, Inc., has introduced new educational offerings providing a �road map for every practice.� An ABO-accredited course, as well as a skills workshop for presentation in-office, are now available. Both of the courses were authored by industry veteran Mike DiSanto, and each presents keys to avoiding common roadblocks to premium lens sales.

CooperVision recently provided an educational grant to The Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS) of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in order to establish free online continuing education for optometrists. AOA members can take advantage of the CLCS/AOA online pilot program by visiting www.aoa.org, and viewing the

two Council on Optometric Practitioner Education-approved one-hour modules.

Bill Hoffman, president of The Lagado Corporation, has announced that the company has filed both U.S. and international patent applications for a series of novel super-permeable contact lenses. The new lenses will be made from polyacetylenes.

The Vision Council of America (VCA) recently announced eight new members of the organization. Aoyama USA Inc., will participate in the Eyewear and Accessories Division and X-Cel Optical, Inc., and Augen Optics will join the Lens Division. In addition, Quest Optical Specialty Lab, Inc., was added to the Laboratory Division. Vision Science Software and Gilbert Displays have joined the VCA and will participate in the Supplier Division, while LS&S, LLC,

will join VCA�s Low Vision Division.

Awards

Danne Ventura, director of professional relations at Essilor of America, presented the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl trophy to dean Dennis Levi and the optometry students of the University of California at Berkeley. Berkeley student Marisa Chung won the trophy as well as the $1,000 prize money at the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl. The Bowl was held during the 109th annual American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress and the 36th annual American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), in

Las Vegas.

The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund celebrated 10 years of activism in the fight against breast cancer at the Mysti-que Masquerade Ball held in New York. During the ball, several awards were presented to supporters of the cause, including the �Volunteer of the Year Award� which was given to ClearVision Optical�s Mary Loehr.

Left: ClearVision�s Mary Loehr at the Mystique Masquerade Ball

Dennis Levi accepts the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl trophy from Danne Ventura of Essilor

Save the Date

(Feb. 21-25, 2007. SECO International at the Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel in Atlanta. For more information, visit the Website www.secointernational1.com.

(March 1-4, 2007. American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. For more information, visit the Website www.glaucomaweb.org.

(March 23-25, 2007. International Vision Expo East at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. For more information, visit the Website www.visionexpoeast.com.

(May 10-12, 2007. Midwest Vision Congress and Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit the Website www.midwestvisioncongress.com.

(Sept. 29, 2007. National Opticians Convention in Spokane, Wash., held at the Red Lion Hotel. For more information, contact Catherine Langley from the Opticians Association of America at 703-437-8780 or via e-mail at clangley@oaa.org.

(Oct. 4-6, 2007. International Vision Expo West at The Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information, visit the Website www.visionexpowest.com.