{PEOPLE}

Paragon Vision Sciences has appointed Leah Johnson, O.D., F.A.A.O., to the role of director, clinical services. Previously, she was in private practice in Houston, TX.

Shire has announced the appointment of John Snisarenko as group vice president and head of ophthalmics, U.S. franchise. Snisarenko replaces Robert Dempsey, who has taken a leadership role in Shire’s global business.

SPY Optic promoted Curtis Ellis from Western sales manager to sales director, relocating him to California to better connect with SPY divisions internally, as well as with key accounts in the Southern California region.

EB IN LA

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

Prevent Blindness has announced a new partnership with ThinOPTICS. A portion of the proceeds from each pair of Gregory Burns Collection ThinOPTICS stemless reading glasses sold will be donated to the Prevent Blindness 20/20 at 40 program, which encourages adults to take control of their eye health.

Sports eyewear and helmet manufacturer Rudy Project has announced the opening of a new subsidiary in Munich, Germany.

Safilo Group announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Dr. Mazen Fakeeh C. Healthcare Co. for Saudi Arabia. Concurrently, the group renews its partnership with Optitalia Gulf for independent retail distribution across other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Safilo has relocated its North American headquarters in New Jersey from Parsippany to Secaucus. The new offices provide a customer showroom as well as better proximity to the company’s showroom in New York City.

Shamir has announced the elimination of all of its molded product offerings, moving to 100% digital Freeform lenses. The company will now offer only semi-finished single-vision lenses, focusing solely on advanced Freeform designs.

Transitions Optical will host its 22nd annual Transitions Academy from Feb. 11-14 in Orlando, FL. To learn how to earn a spot at the invitation-only event, go to eyecarebusiness.com/news .

VSP Global and ZEISS have partnered to provide special offerings and expanded choice for doctors and VSP members, including an exclusive rebate on ZEISS lenses. For more information: pathtopremier.com .

WestGroupe has appointed Spectill as its new distributor for the FYSH UK, KLiiK Denmark, and Superflex brands in South Africa.

ZEISS has renewed its multiyear partnership agreement with Today’s Vision optometry group, and has signed a new multiyear partnership with Texas State Optical optometry group. The partnerships provide members preferred access to ZEISS technology.

{AWARDS}

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry announced the 2017 Special Recognition Awards recipients: Melvin Shipp, O.D., Lifetime Achievement Award; Catherine McDaniel, O.D., Rising Star Award; Mike Elton, Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award; and Jamie Althoff, O.D., Gregory M. Fecho, O.D., and Patrick Hardigan, Ph.D., recipients of the Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence.

CooperVision received 13 awards at the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association’s 2017 Environmental Health and Safety Summit for its Juana Díaz site, including the Environmental Innovative Project of the Year Award.

Michael Barry, a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical/medical engineering focusing on ultra-low vision at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, has been selected as this year’s Envision-Atwell Award winner for research in low vision and vision rehabilitation.

National Vision, Inc., recently recognized 115 optometrists for their service with the company during the company’s Annual Continuing Education Symposium.

Wiley X was named Small Business of the Year for California’s 16th Assembly District at a recent California Small Business Day luncheon.

{MISCELLANEOUS}

In conjunction with the launch of new tween ophthalmic collections, L’Amy America has launched “Destination Jr.,” a corporate promotion through Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). For every optical account that becomes a Destination Jr. account, L’Amy America will donate 5% of reorder wholesale proceeds to DFCI (through Sept. 30).