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Lindsey Aspinall Getz

PEOPLE

Optical Shop of Aspen (OSA) International named Sasha Plavsic as the creative visual director for OSA Retail. Previously the retail marketing director, Plavsic has extensive experience in marketing and design. In addition, Christian Abbott was promoted to manager of the OSA Malibu store which re-opened in February. Also, the former general manager of retail for OSA, Michelle Arena, was promoted to director of marketing and training.
Rudy Project has announced the appointment of Shane Kanderis to the position of western regional sales director. Kanderis will be responsible for leading the western sales team and supporting retailers. He has also been the company’s number- one independent sales rep for the last two years. In other news from Rudy Project, Wendy Black was named the new Rx manager. Black is an ABOcertified optician with more than 20 years of experience.
Bausch & Lomb has named Efrain Rivera senior vice president and chief financial officer. He will succeed Stephen C. McCluski who plans to retire at the end of June. Rivera joined B&L in 1989 and has held management and executive positions throughout the company. Shamir has named Lance Bergeron, former vice president of sales at Luxottica, as vice president of sales. A 30-year veteran of the optical industry, Bergeron also held the senior vice president of sales position with Charmant Group.
Shamir also continues to expand its sales force with the addition of Mina Mohammadzadeh and Ralph Kent as account executives.
The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) recently named Debby Rebischke executive director. She has more than 30 years of experience in communications and marketing within the optical industry, and in her new position she will assist in the outreach and administrative efforts of OWA.

AWARDS
Essilor of America has named the recipients of its 2006 Essilor Optical Technology Grants. These grants are awarded to schools and colleges of optometry that exhibit commitment to the growing industry. Winners include: University of California Berkeley for equipment to start a new outreach clinic; Ohio State University to update its eyewear gallery and patient welcoming center; and the University of Missouri at St. Louis and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, a tie, for dispensary computer and patient programs.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) presented professor Kovin Naidoo with the International Optometrist of the Year Award at its General Delegates Meeting in Mexico City. This annual award recognizes an optometrist who has shown outstanding commitment and contribution to both the profession of optometry and community at large. Antonio Joson, Jr., received the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding, life-long international contributions to the betterment of eye and vision welfare and the advancement of optometry.
Corning Incorporated has announced the first winner in its “SunSensors—SA Lab Partner” contest. Bill Heffner, owner of FEA Industries, a SA lab partner in Morton, Pa., was awarded the prize of a high-definition television. Heffner will use the TV in his lab to monitor customer orders.

BUSINESS UPDATES
Zeal Optics has established a Boulder, Colo., sales office. The new sales office and showroom is the first step of a multi-year growth plan to support the company’s expanding sales and network for sports retailers both in the U.S. and internationally.
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) held its 22nd Annual State Leadership Conference at the Heritage Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla. The conference allowed state association leaders to come together and share ideas, participate in specialized break-out sessions, and learn new skills.
Carl Zeiss Vision and iPORT Media have launched Eye Talk, a program for participating optical healthcare providers. iPort Media creates private broadcast networks that deliver fully customizable education, training, and entertainment to optical patients and staff. Exclusive to participants in the Carl Zeiss Vision Rewards Program, Eye Talk casts each new iPORT subscriber as the star of two customized patient education videos.
VISTAKON, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has launched its Customer Development Group. Pat Cummings, OD, has been appointed vice president, professional group and customer development, and will lead the company’s efforts to create and implement strategies and programs that focus on professional and practice development for eyecare professionals. In addition, Jack Rawle will lead the group as senior director, customer development.
Younger Optics introduced two Drivewear on-hold messages—one tailored for dispensers and another for wholesale optical labs. When callers are on hold, they’ll hear how Drivewear lenses are activated by Transitions to adjust to light and glare outside and behind the windshield. For more information, visit www.youngeroptics.com.
Red Tray Optical has added 17 optical labs and five frame companies to their list of suppliers. There is no cost to join Red Tray Optical, and HMI Buying Group members in good standing are preapproved for membership. For more information, call Linda Holley at 800-416-7676 or visit www.redtraysaves.com.

CORRECTIONS
On page 42 of the March issue, the web address for Teamwork Marketing should have been listed as: www.teamwork-marketing.com. In addition, the number of Robert Marc locations noted on page 86 should be nine. Visit www.robertmarc. com for locations.