News
Editorial Change at EB
Stephanie De Long
Erinn Morgan
PentaVision LLC, publishers of Eyecare Business magazine, announce the appointment of Erinn Morgan to the editorial leadership position of the magazine. Morgan, who currently writes feature articles and produces special projects for the magazine on a freelance basis, will assume the editorial helm as a full-time PentaVision executive on September 1.
She succeeds Stephanie De Long, current editorial director and editor-in-chief for Eyecare Business, who will continue on with EB as editorial director emeritus, also beginning on September 1. (see Publisher’s Letter, p. 1)
De Long began her career with Eyecare Business in 1990. Through a succession of owners culminating with PentaVision, she has been a steady voice of advocacy for the industry, a trusted speaker on business and merchandising topics, and an editorial leader who has built EB into the widely-read, respected, and successful magazine it is in 2015, notes Mark Durrick, EB publisher.
De Long will continue to speak at industry events and author articles in every issue of EB while working on newsletter and electronic media products.
“Steph will continue to be a prominent contributor to EB’s successful content mix, and her experience will ensure a smooth transition to even greater editorial success for EB moving ahead,” says Thomas J. Wilson, president of PentaVision.
Morgan has been covering the business and fashion trends of the optical industry for over 20 years. After serving as managing editor of Accessories magazine, she become the editor-in-chief of Framebuyer magazine, published by EB and recipient of several FOLIO magazine awards.
The FACT FILE
18%
OF EYECARE PRACTICES SELL PRODUCTS ONLINE (MOSTLY CONTACT LENSES)
BUT 27% PLAN TO START WITHIN THE NEXT 2 YEARS
20%
OF U.S. PRACTICES REPORT SALES VOLUMES OF $1-$3 MILLION PER YEAR
SURPRISING NO ONE, BABY BOOMERS (AGES 51-69) MAKE UP
36%
OF OPTICAL PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS; NEXT IS MILLENNIALS (AGES 18-34) AT 26%
Source: Eyecare Business Regional Trend Survey. For more interesting demographic information, see our annual report beginning on p. 50.
ESSILOR ACQUIRES VISION SOURCE
As Eyecare Business went to press, Essilor announced its plans to acquire Vision Source, North America’s largest independent optometric service alliance.
Vision Source will continue to be led and managed as an independent company by the current leadership team, which includes the company’s founder and executive chairman Glenn Ellisor, O.D., and COO Jim Greenwood.
Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed and remain subject to standard regulatory update. It is expected to become final in the coming months.
For the complete story, see eyecarebusiness.com.
Brownlee Takes Reins at Hilco
Ross Brownlee
Hilco Vision announces the retirement of CEO Bob Nahmias and the appointment of Ross Brownlee as new CEO. Nahmias, the CEO of the business for the past 17 years, had shared his intent to retire with owner Blue Point Capital prior to its investment in the company in May 2014.
During his tenure, and as a result of his leadership, Hilco made 14 acquisitions, grew revenues by nearly 500%, and has become an industry leader in many sectors of the optical industry. Nahmias will remain involved at Hilco and serve as senior advisor, corporate development, with an ongoing focus on acquisitions.
Brownlee has a wealth of wholesale and retail experience in the optical industry, having spent 18 years in Safilo; the last six of which were as president and COO for the Americas and president of its retail arm, Solstice LLC.
In addition to his role as CEO, Brownlee he will also be a member of the Board of Directors.
EXECUTIVE CHANGES AT LUNEAU
Luneau Technology, parent company of Briot USA, Visionix Inc., and Latham & Phillips Ophthalmic (LPO), has announced changes in its executive team.
Matt Cevasco, who had served as president and general manager of Luneau Technology USA and headed up the North American branches of Briot, Visionix, and LPO since 2010, has transitioned to the role of consultant on special projects for the company.
Dr. Marc Abitbol, president and global CEO of the Luneau Technology Group, will be assuming the responsibilities of president and general manager for the USA and Canadian branches of Briot, effective immediately.
David Avila has been named president and general manager of Visionix and LPO. Avila brings to the team more than 23 years of experience in the ophthalmic industry, having spent the last 14 years with Alcon-Novartis, where he held multiple roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of sales, marketing, and operations.
In his last role with Alcon, Avila was the global franchise head for Alcon’s refractive equipment portfolio.
David Avila
ZEISS Re-Organizes NA Leadership
Under a newly intensified focus on the North American market, Carl Zeiss Vision Inc. has announced new executive appointments. Jens Boy is the president and head of the North American organization of the ZEISS Vision Care business group. Greg DiPasquale has recently assumed the role of senior vice president, independent ECPs, with Steve Mitrakos taking on the role of senior vice president, retail.
Ulrich Krauss, the chief sales officer for Carl Zeiss Vision and head of the ZEISS Vision Care business group in North America since 2013, will relocate to Germany.
“Jens has a proven track record in sales, customer service, and business development in North America,” says Dr. Matthias Metz, member of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG and head of the Vision Care business group. “He shares our long-term commitment to the development of our organization in the U.S. and Canada, and our commitment to putting the customer first.”
Boy has spent almost all of his professional life in the United States. He holds an MBA degree from Duke University and started his career in 1994 at Dräger Medical. He assumed various domestic and international roles in marketing, product management, and business development. From 2004 on he served at Teleflex Medical as vice president of global marketing and was appointed vice president and general manager of its surgical division in 2006. He led Teleflex’ Cardiac Care Division from 2007 to 2008 and joined Zimmer Dental as vice president of global sales in the same year. He will have his office at Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.’s headquarters in San Diego, CA.
DiPasquale has a track record in sales management, business development, and general management roles spanning 25 years. He brings broad and deep knowledge of the lens business acquired both in senior sales management roles and as a lab owner, according to Zeiss. Most recently, he has been an executive-in-residence faculty member at Ohio University, teaching sales management techniques and studying sales performance improvement techniques.
INDUSTRY LOSES TWO LEADERS
Brien Holden, OAM, CEO of the Australia-based Brien Holden Vision Institute, and a recognized leader in eye care and vision research, passed away July 27 in Sydney. Holden was a professor at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW Australia, and widely respected as an influential optometrist. His career was spent inspiring scientists and health care professionals around the world with his dream of ‘vision for everyone, everywhere.’
“He was truly an intellectual giant in eye health and vision, a powerhouse driving change by mobilizing teams globally united in science and service to the disadvantaged of our world,” says Kovin Naidoo, deputy CEO of the institute.
Holden was a winner of the Charles F. Prentice Medal, one of optometry’s highest honors. In addition to his work with the Brien Holden Institute, he was CEO of the Vision Cooperative Research Centre, and a board member of Optometry Giving Sight, of which he served as chair for nine years. Holden had just completed a partnership agreement with Revo and singer Bono to raise funds for his institute through sunwear sales (see p. 32).
Holden was also a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
William “Bill” Mattingly, founder of Mattingly Low Vision and a leader in low vision services and education, passed away June 18 after a battle with a rare degenerative brain disease.
Mattingly, who held an ABOM in ophthalmic optics, founded Mattingly Low Vision, in El Paso, TX, in 2007. It is a family-owned and operated company specializing in low vision optical products. He was joined in business by his son, Sean Mattingly, in 2011.
For almost 40 years, Mattingly has been involved in low vision in various capacities, including practitioner, teacher, author, and business owner. He is a past president and past vice-president of the Low Vision Council, and served on several committees within the Vision Council of America’s (now The Vision Council) Low Vision Division.
He led the product development division of Lighthouse International after that group acquired his first business, Mattingly International. He later served as president of Optelec U.S. before creating Mattingly Low Vision in 2007.
He is being remembered by friends and colleagues as not only a leader in the low vision field, but as one with a strong will to help others and a positive attitude toward life and low vision.
Stay up-to-date with news from the optical industry by visiting eyecarebusiness.com. We’ve got the latest corporate news and industry information you need to stay current.
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Vision Expo Focuses on Changing Role of ECP
to help eyecare professionals navigate the changing—and challenging—world of contemporary vision care and today’s new retail environment, Vision Expo West is poised to deliver over 320 hours of education focused on eyecare professionals’ ever-changing landscape and scope. Vision Expo West 2015 is set for next month at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. (Education: Sept. 16-19; Exhibition: Sept. 17-19.)
From new CE tracks to exciting keynote addresses, VEW is ready to deliver an immersive optical experience. In addition to the CE that spans everything from clinical topics to trending industry topics, live presentations, and after-hours fun, VEW’s exhibition floor spans more than five football fields and is filled with the newest innovations and products. Here are some highlights:
For more information on these and many more events scheduled at VEW, visit: visionexpowest.com
CE FOR EVERYONE
The scope of education, products, trends, and solutions at International Vision Expo West will expand your field of vision and keep you updated on best practices for the care and treatment of your patients.
This year’s CE highlights include new tracks on ocular wellness and sports vision, nine hours of free education at the medical and science theater, and new practice-buildings tracks including a keynote series and dispensing essentials, practice management, and retail tracks.
The Retail Track, for which EB is the media partner, offers five courses that teach conferees how to think like a “5-star retailer.” Learn how to attract and engage shoppers and build your business with key retail tactics to create the perfect buying experience.
The popular Frame Buyer Certificate Program returns with 10 hours of CE to help you manage, monitor, position and promote your sunwear and frame inventory.
INFO:
VEW KEYNOTES GALORE
New this year at VEW is seven hours of keynote presentations, led by visionaries from both inside and outside the optical industry, each designed to help attendees discover concepts that can differentiate their business.
Two of the keynotes, for which Eyecare Business is the proud media partner, focus on building business through retail and customer service.
Anne Marie Luthro of AML Insights will discuss how retail can support your practice, and will outline how some of the strongest retail trends are already in place in your practice. (To read more on Luthro’s retail insights, see “The Consumer Connection” on p. 46)
Led by Joseph Quinoni of the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, this program shows you The Ritz-Carlton method for fulfilling not only the expressed but also the unexpressed wishes and needs of your customers. You will be introduced to the skills needed for authentic customer engagement, and the importance of personalized experiences that will surprise and delight your customers and impact your bottom line. Complimentary breakfast will be served. (Read an interview with Quinoni, below)
Other keynote presentations at VEW include:
Listen and learn from top industry executives representing spectacle lenses, frames, and contact lenses, and gain insight on where they predict things are headed and what you can do to uncover opportunities and thrive through the changes.
An interactive certificate training and social engagement for contact lens technicians and other eyecare office staff.
INFO: VISIONEXPOWEST.COM/CONTINUING-EDUCATION/HIGHLIGHTS/
Gaddie Joins Conference Board
Ian Benjamin Gaddie, O.D., FAAO, is the new co-chairman of the International Vision Expo Conference Advisory Board. Gaddie joins Mark Dunbar, O.D., FAAO, in leading the development of the Vision Expo continuing education program.
Dr. Gaddie is owner and director of Kentucky-based Gaddie Eye Centers, a family-owned practice. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AOA), president of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS), and outgoing chairman of the AOA’s continuing education committee.
RITZ-CARLTON ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
Joseph Quinoni
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Joseph Quinoni will present a keynote address on “Memorable Customer Service.” He is corporate director of culture transformation at The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. He spoke with Eyecare Business (the trade media partner for the event) about what attendees can take away from his keynote.
What can ECPs do to gauge their current level of customer service?
Employees are key. Practitioners or retailers who establish a culture of service excellence provide employees with the purpose and tools to become emotionally engaged with their brand or practice. Emotionally engaged employees lead to emotionally engaged customers who will not only return to your business, but say good things about your business as well.
How can they improve the customer experience?
It’s important to truly listen to what customers are telling you as well as to take that information and act upon it. The more you know, the more you can do to create a positive customer experience. We stress the value of staying in the moment with a customer so that it becomes easier to act upon what you’re hearing.
What is “memorable” customer service?
It is not enough to simply aim for customer satisfaction. Customers should feel engaged with your practice or brand. Customers need to feel that service was provided in a personalized manner, which is what will keep them coming back and saying good things about their experience.
What tools will your keynote speech give attendees?
They will leave understanding the key service principles, which every employee should act upon with customers. These service principles pave the way for customers to create an emotional connection with your brand.
Attendees will also understand The Ritz-Carlton service strategy, and its importance in creating consistency in customer service. Finally, the audience will have a clear understanding of how to distinguish between expressed and unexpressed customer wishes. It’s how you respond to the unexpressed wishes that create engagement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE “KEYNOTES” ABOVE.
Tom Sullivan Joins Free Eyecare Forum
Renowned speaker, musician, and entertainer Tom Sullivan is joining the free “Business of Eyecare” forums sponsored by Cleinman Performance Partners and HOYA Vision Care.
Sullivan has spoken before more than 3,000 corporations worldwide with the message that “if extraordinary people can do impossible things, isn’t it reasonable to assume that ordinary people can do extraordinary things?” He says the Business of Eyecare Forum exemplifies his formula for excellence: “Pride: People: Purpose: and Passion.”
Alan Cleinman, Cleinman Performance Partners CEO and president, sees Sullivan as a powerful new part of the event. “He spoke at our network meetings last year in Chicago and really inspired our members to rethink the way they see themselves and their practices,” he says.
In addition to Sullivan, the free one-day events feature dynamic presentations by industry experts, all focused on ECPs and their staff.
The tour’s schedule includes:
To register: cleinman.com/bef
ICD-10 WEBINAR OFFERED
As the ICD-10 deadline looms large, are you ready for the changes? Eyecare Business’ sister publication, Optometric Management, is offering a webinar by Peter J. Cass, O.D., on this hot topic that can settle your fears and help confirm you’re on the right path moving forward. The course, supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Vision Source, will cover:
• The background and history of ICD-10
• Structure and layout of ICD-10 codes
• Organization of ICD-10 codes
• New coding and billing guidelines in ICD-10
• Predicted costs of the change
• Steps to prepare for ICD-10
For information and to view the video, visit optometricmanagement.com/icd10_ce.aspx
DigiCON Examines the Future
the optical manufacturing company Schneider welcomed more than 100 international guests to its DigiCON 2015, held in late June at its headquarters in Fronhausen, Germany. During two days filled with lectures and workshops about new productions lines, machinery, and technology, attendees had the chance to explore Schneider’s next steps forward in free-form technology.
Company founder Gunter Schneider explained his fascination for eyeglasses and his commitment to free-form. “Pioneering the free-form idea in the ophthalmic business, we were able to produce machines which substituted all previous machines and methods for lens production. Each day, following our mission statement ‘Fascination for Innovation,’ it is our highest goal to develop machines and processes to perfectly replicate the physiological design,” Schneider says.
The first day of the event focused on the philosophy, machine extensions, and production supervision system of the Schneider Modulo Line, in which all elements, measurement systems, conveyors, and accessories are interlinked in one intelligent system.
Schneider also presented its line solution for midsize labs, the Sprint Line, and the Nano Line—an extra-small and cost-effective line that covers all needs of startups as well as small and partner labs, and allowing them to produce free-form lenses anywhere.
Other special presentations gave an overview about the current status of blocking technologies or auxiliary systems and consumables for best efficiency. The last lecture focused on Schneider’s new customer support center and its dedicated service concepts.
Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed Germany’s food and wine, took a river cruise along the Main River, and competed for this year’s DigiCon Racing Cup in go-karts.
Company founder Gunter Schneider
Workshops help explain the latest advances in the Modulo Line as well as lines for smallers labs
SILMO OFFERS MULTI-MEDIA STAGE
SILMO 2015 is continuing its makeover by rebooting SILMO TV, offering exhibitors and visitors a trade fair with its finger firmly on the pulse of the industry.
SILMO TV will be a real highlight of the 2015 trade fair, which is scheduled for September 25-28, 2015 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.
With its new, leading-edge positioning, designed to be more in synch with its market and in step with its times, SILMO worked to come up with an ultra-modern and effective tool for attendees.
More than just a TV stage set, SILMO TV will be the go-to multimedia tool of this 2015 edition.
SILMO TV will be the preferred showcase for all exhibitors seeking visibility and a key information hub for visitors and optics industry players. It will serve as a forum for debates and programs on the sector’s latest developments, shining the spotlight on four major topics: Fashion, Health, Innovation, and Training.
To ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action, SILMO TV will bring you all the highlights of the trade fair via live coverage on the stage.
SILMO TV will be pre-recorded and broadcast on YouTube, and will have a presence on the major social media platforms to give maximum interactivity.
In other Silmo news, the optical fair has announced its plans for SILMO Istanbul, set to take place on December 10-13, 2015, in the stunning setting of the Suada Club, located on a small island on the Bosporus, upstream from the old center of Istanbul.
SILMO Istanbul is a reflection of Turkish optics and eyewear industry stakeholders’ desire to create a leading event to promote the sector throughout the region and develop the optics and eyewear business.
INFO: SILMOPARIS.COM
Optometry Shines in Annual Meeting
optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA), was held in Seattle June 24-28. It was the 118th Annual AOA Congress and 45th Annual AOSA Conference, and it focused on mapping out the profession’s future in a mixture of business, student competitions, and bylaw resolutions.
Highlights included:
Other officers include:
The secure, private database systematically aggregates anonymous patient data from multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems and facilities secondary uses of the data to help enhance outcomes, procedures, and standards of practice.
1. The AOA Board of Trustees, all wearing bow ties in honor of AOA president Steven Loomis (l-r): James P. DeVleming, O.D., Gregory A. Caldwell, O.D., Robert C. Layman, O.D., David A. Cockrell, O.D., Andrea P. Thau, O.D., Steven A. Loomis, O.D., Christopher J. Quinn, O.D., Samuel D. Pierce, O.D., Barbara L. Horn, O.D., William T. Reynolds, O.D., and Ronald L. Benner, O.D.; 2. AOA members support a great cause at the 2015 Optometry Cares 5K Run/Walk sponsored by The Vision Council and Transitions Optical; 3. Schools and colleges of optometry battle to be the smartest, loudest, and most creative in the 24th Annual Varilux Optometry Student Bowl; 4. The House of Delegates begins its session on June 25
Retailer Launches Wearables Collection
national retailer Eyeglass World is the first national chain to launch a retail collection of prescription lenses for smart glass technologies in the U.S. The debut of specially designed prescription lens features options for wearable brands including Glass, Recon, Vuzix, and Epson, and it coincides with Eyeglass World’s retail expansion into California. The company celebrated the grand opening of a Vista, CA, location, the first of eight stores planned for the San Diego area by June 2016.
Eyeglass World becomes the first brick-and-mortar retailer to offer Recon Jet, Vuzix M100, and Epson Moverio hardware all under one roof, along with the availability of prescription lenses. This selection of smart eyewear devices—which spans sports, business, and leisure uses—and custom prescription lens offerings give customers a one-stop shopping experience for their smart glass needs.
Prescription smart glass solutions from Eyeglass World use Smart GOLD lenses, developed by Rochester Optical, to compensate for the unique visual demands of smart glasses. Whereas normal prescription lenses are not optimized for devices using a Heads Up Display (HUD), such as Vuzix M100 or Google Glass, Smart GOLD lenses provide specific adjustments, unique to a user’s eyes, for the upper corners of a lens where a HUD is located.
The “smart eyewear” display at Eyeglass World
“Making prescription lens solutions readily available at retail for smart glass wearers helps overcome a critical hurdle in the future of eyewear,” said Bruce Steffey, president and COO of National Vision, Inc. He says the company expects to roll out the retail offering to all its stores.
ADLENS RESEARCHING ELECTRONICS
Adlens, maker of adjustable focus eyewear, has announced that its key design project for the next two years will integrate electronics into its adjustable lenses.
AdlensFocuss, the adjustable prescription eyewear that offers “Precision Vision On Demand,” launched in June 2015. Adlens reports it has already defined an electronic architecture, adding the potential for new user interfaces, activity sensors, assisted focus or autofocus, and heads-up display (HUD).
These features open up the possibility of eye-tracking sensors combined with monitoring of lens adjustment that will provide health information, accessibility improvements, and enhance a HUD capacity, the company reports.
Adlens reports it is also exploring moving to an auto-electronic adjustable focus system that will adapt the corrective power as the eye looks at different objects.
Hong Kong Show Sets Schedule
The 23rd annual Hong Kong Optical Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, will be held Nov. 4-6, 2015.
This year’s exhibit hall will feature a broad range of product, including 3D eyewear, contact and spectacle lenses, accessories, diagnostics, frames, instruments, equipment, safety and sports eyewear, as well as sun and fashion eyewear. A special highlight in the exhibition hall will be the ever-popular Brand Name Gallery.
With high-tech always a major theme at the fair, Eyecare Business’ Steph De Long will moderate a panel on Nov. 5 titled “How Technologies Drive Business” that will feature ClearVision’s David Friedfeld and Rochester Optical’s Patrick Ho.
Highlights of the fair will include the concurrent Hong Kong Optometric Association meeting as well as the annual eyewear design competition and eyewear parade.
Last year’s fair attracted more than 14,000 buyers from 99 countries and regions. It also featured a record number of exhibitors—710 in all representing product and services from 29 countries and regions.
Talking about last year’s show, Rochester Optical’s Patrick Ho said, “We established contacts with many potential buyers. This is a really exciting fair.”
INFO: http://hkopticalfair.hktdc.com/
EB’s Steph De Long speaking to attendees about U.S. demographic and business trends at the 2014 Fair
Vision Summit Focuses on Game Changers
Vision care and health care experts from around the nation met in Washington, D.C., for this year’s Focus on Eye Health National Summit, presented by Prevent Blindness. Putting the spotlight on the theme of “Game Changers in Vision,” the day-long event featured speakers on subjects ranging from children’s vision to telemedicine and from implications of coverage and payment for the future of eyecare to a session about NASA meeting the vision challenges of space travel.
Through a blend of a plenary session and roundtable sessions, participants had the opportunity to listen and watch presentations as well as participate in three breakout sessions: Tomorrow’s Game Changers: Community, Professional, and University Collaborations; Driving Quality as a Game Changer for Children’s Vision; and International Game Changers: Bringing Successful Strategies Home to the U.S.
One of the major topics under discussion was the Affordable Care Act and how vision screenings cover children to age 19, while vision care for adults 19-plus are a category that is not entitled to vision care as an “essential health benefit.”
“With respect to vision screening and comprehensive vision exams, those are only covered for children up to the age of 19,” says Susan Dentzer, senior policy advisor to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “We didn’t quite go far enough to say that vision screening was a preventive service that adults deserve to have, we did acknowledge that children needed to have that.”
There is still a dichotomy between vision care and medical/surgical eyecare, which is covered by the federal plan, she adds.
In another session, Bob Main, ABOM, spoke about his work with a team of eye health experts and NASA to develop programmable eyeglass lenses that can change powers as needed. “Over 7% of astronauts have had vision changes, some as much as 1.75D,” he notes. This can make doing day-to-day work in space complicated and has game-stopping potential for longer missions, such as Mars trips. The team is working with two companies that have technology that can help bring a focus-changing lens to market with a three-year product pathway.
The presentations can be viewed at http://eyesummit.preventblindness.org/index.html
BONO, REVO FIGHT BLINDNESS
Eyewear brand Revo and U2 lead singer Bono announced a partnership to help prevent vision impairment and blindness in more than 5 million people by 2020. The initiative, dubbed “Buy Vision, Give Sight,” will drive $10 million to improve access to eye screening, prescription glasses and eye health care in under-resourced communities around the world.
Revo will donate $10 from every Revo purchase, up to a total of $10 million, will be donated by Revo to the “Buy Vision, Give Sight” initiative. To execute the initiative, Revo and Bono are partnering with the non-profit Brien Holden Vision Institute, whose mission is to provide sustainable solutions for eyecare and end avoidable blindness and vision impairment in under-resourced communities. (Institute CEO Brien Holden just passed away, see story, p. 21.)
Bono wears Revo Raconteur with Blue Water lenses. Sam Jones photography
“The ‘Buy Vision, Give Sight’ campaign is a very personal one for me,” says Bono, who was diagnosed with glaucoma 20 years ago. “Thanks to good medical care my eyes are okay, but tens of millions of people around the world with sight problems don’t have access to glasses, or even a basic eye test. Poor eyesight may not be life-threatening, but it dramatically affects your life and your livelihood if you aren’t able to fix it. When we met with experts, they said the number-one problem is untreated poor vision, which prevents a child from learning in school, or an adult from performing their job.”
In related news, ClearVision Optical has announced a partnership with Legacie for the distribution of the Revo brand in the U.S. optical channel, beginning January 1, 2016.
INFO: REVO.COM, BRIENHOLDENVISION.ORG
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE INITIATIVE, SEE OUR WEB EXCLUSIVES AT EyecareBusiness.com.
FYI...
News bits from the industry
{PEOPLE}
Ben Wolf has been appointed Marcolin USA’s senior vice president of sales for the optical channel. He most recently served as vice president of sales for the fashion department in the optical channel at Marcolin USA, where he was responsible for creating and executing its sales strategy across the luxury brand portfolio.
CooperVision, Inc., has appointed eye health industry veteran Guy Whittaker vice president, global marketing, and Simon Seshadri vice president, North America marketing. Whittaker, a former practicing optometrist, has held management roles with CooperVision since 1998. Seshadri joined CooperVision in 2014 as senior director, global brand marketing.
WestGroupe has promoted Michael Debono to executive vice president, global sales. He joined WestGroupe in 2005 as Canadian national sales manager and was promoted to vice president of North American sales in 2010.
SynergEyes, Inc., has appointed Bob Ferrigno as the senior vice president of global sales and marketing. In this newly created position, he will be responsible for sales, marketing, professional relations, and the international group. Dave Fancher, previously vice president of sales, will move into the position of vice president of corporate development.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has appointed Dawn Mancuso, FASAE, CAE, its executive director. She replaces Marty Wall, who retired in July.
Dawn Mancuso
Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, EdD, has been named associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation (CER). She will collaborate with the college’s chairpersons on graduate education programs in blindness and low vision, among other curricula.
Barbara Schwartz-Bechet
Susan Benton has been hired as head of business development at Shire Ophthalmics, and Tracey Dawson has joined the team as commercial launch lead. Both are seasoned optical industry veterans.
Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation has named Rebecca Hildebrand its director. Hildebrand brings nearly 10 years of nonprofit development experience and has been a leader with several local and regional nonprofit organizations.
{BUSINESS UPDATES}
Santinelli International recently convened in Washington, D.C., for its annual National Sales Meeting, celebrating strong recent customer satisfaction surveys and sales growth. It also recognized several sales leaders in categories ranging from outstanding achievement, record-setting growth, and company dedication.
The Santinelli International sales team in Washington, D.C.
Vision Source has entered into a relationship with Arkansas Health Group, a Baptist Health affiliate, to provide eye health and vision services to its patient base. The arrangement is designed to deliver improved outcomes for the patients of both organizations.
Adlens has signed a new distribution partnership with D&Company Nordic AB, opening doors for consumers to discover Adlens adjustable focus eyewear across the Nordic and Baltic states.
{PASSINGS}
James P. Dougher, founder of Rooney Optical laboratory in Pittsburgh, PA, passed away July 21 at the age of 81. Rooney Optical has forever since been a family-run business, now run by his nephew, Kevin Dougher. Many in his family followed him into the optical industry, with his sons Barney and Michael now serving with HOYA Vision Care, where Barney is president.
{EVENTS}
OD Excellence and PFO Global will host its 5th Annual International Vision Conference, slated for Aug. 27-29 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The event has expanded its venue to cover an array of topics in the optometric field, discussed by international renowned speakers.
INFO: ivisionconf.org/register1/
License Line-Up
INFO: ALTAIREYEWEAR.COM
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INFO: TURA.COM
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