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Alicia Hoglund

PEOPLE

Coburn Technologies recently announced the promotion of Jason Smith to the position of director of marketing communications. In his newly appointed role, Smith will develop, implement, and oversee all marketing and communication efforts, as well as assist the sales team and lab works group in generating leads and driving sales. Jason Smith, Coburn Technologies Nicole Norris has been appointed general counsel of Live Eyewear. Norris will be responsible for managing all significant legal, policy, and related operational matters. Nicole Norris, Live Eyewear SynergEyes has named James Kirchner, OD, its newest president. Kirchner previously served as senior vice president of clinical and professional relations. James Kirchner, OD, SynergEyes

AWARDS

HOYA Vision Care recently announced the winners of the 2013 Grant and Scholarship Program, which was based on ePoster Contest submissions. Twenty winners, for the first time representing all 20 optometry schools, each received a $1,000 grant, and one grand prize scholarship winner received an additional $6,000. The winners also received all-expense-paid trips to the American Optometric Association (AOA) Meeting and an iPad.

The winners, who were honored at a luncheon at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel in conjunction with the AOA’s annual meeting in June, include the following: Robert Kloepfer, OD, Illinois College of Optometry; Dan Mlnarik, Indiana University School of Optometry; Sundeep Kaur, Inter American University School of Optometry; Jamie Leung, OD, Michigan College of Optometry; Erika Anderson, OD, Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry; Kelly Keane, OD, New England College of Optometry; Bryan Mirone, NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry; Kari Ann Smart, Pacific University College of Optometry; Julie Phan, OD, Southern California College of Optometry; Marshall Walker, Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Joshua Watt, OD, Southern College Of Optometry; Matthew Bovenzi, SUNY State College of Optometry; Kelsey Shiley, OD, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Nicholas Norris, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry; Jennifer Khem, University of California at Berkeley School of Optometry; Craig Scibal, University of Houston College of Optometry; Vance Lewis, University of Missouri at St. Louis College of Optometry; Kumar Patel, University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry; and Nanar Hovasapian, Western University College of Optometry. James Thirion, OD, of Northeastern State University College of Optometry, won the additional grand prize scholarship.

(L to r) HOYA’s Barney Dougher, Anne-Marie Lahr, OD, Mike Elton, grand prize winner Joshua Watt, OD, and HOYA’s Greg Hicks, OD

Transitions Optical provided eye health education to attendees of the National Council of Negro Women’s West Coast Black Family Reunion

GOOD DEEDS

Through its Transitions Cultural Connections initiative, Transitions Optical, Inc., provided eye health education to attendees of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)’s West Coast Black Family Reunion Celebration, which was held on July 13 in Los Angeles. Transitions’ representatives provided education on eye health as well as the company’s lens offerings, and provided copies of the “What to Expect: African-American Eyes” brochures to attendees. More than 2,000 additional copies were donated for distribution to local NCNW chapters.

Members of the Santinelli International team gathered for a company meeting on Long Island, NY

BUSINESS UPDATES

Bollé recently celebrated its first win of the 2013 Tour de France with ORICA Green Edge road cyclist Simon Gerrans’ victory on the third stage of the competition, finishing the 145.5km stage with a time of 3:41.24 hours, putting him in third place in the overall ranking.

Bollé-sponsored road cyclist Simon Gerrans recently won the third stage of the 2013 Tour de France

All 75 Santinelli International team members gathered recently on Long Island, NY, for meetings and to celebrate the company’s milestone 40th anniversary. In addition to sales and service meetings, some team members participated in a Habitat for Humanity house build. The event culminated with an anniversary celebration at The Pavilion at Sunken Meadow Beach.

WORD SEARCH

Below are the answers to the Photochromic Lenses word search by Jenean Carlton, BA, ABOC, NCLC, on page 24.

Adlens has increased its global reach with the addition of a new branch in China, Adlens (Shanghai) Trading Company Limited. Led by Florence Cheng, Adlens’ director of Asia Pacific, branch operations will include the commercialization and market development of all Adlens products, import and export, trading, and sales of eyewear, lenses, and all related accessories in the region.

Essilor International recently announced that it has signed eight transactions to acquire operations in the U.S., Brazil, South Africa, India, and Asia. Essilor has acquired a majority stake in four prescription labs: Prodigy Optical in Minnesota, e.magine Optical in Oklahoma, Belo Horizonte, and Brazil-based PSA Nilo and Optiminas; Onbitt, a South Korean manufacturer of polarized films; Taiwan-based Shih Heng, a leading local lens distributor with its own prescription lab; Deepak Optic, a wholesaler in India; and Spherical Optics, a prescription lab based in Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, Essilor has completed previously announced acquisitions of Servi Optica in Columbia and Isbir in Turkey.