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Safilo and Fossil Group, Inc., announced the renewal of their global Fossil eyewear license for the next five years, up to Dec. 31, 2023.

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Coburn Technologies, Inc., appointed Marina Vaynberger regional sales manager for the Russia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. She has more than 40 years of experience in the optical industry.

Tatiana De Arruda Penteado is De Rigo REM’s new senior creative director. She brings more than 12 years of experience in the eyewear industry, including former roles with Marchon and Safilo.

The International Sports Vision Association appointed Gary Esterow as executive director. Esterow will still serve as executive director of The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International and operate Esterow Communications.

Linda M. Chous, O.D., chief eyecare officer of UnitedHealthcare, and Jeffrey L. McClellan, president/owner of Anthologie, Inc., have been elected to the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors.

Luca Dalla Zanna is Safilo Group’s new Brazil country manager. He has more than 18 years of experience in multinational companies in the eyewear sector within the Latin America region, with a particular focus on Brazil and the luxury and mass consumer segments.

The Society to Advance Opticianry named seven optician members to its Board of Directors: President Sam Johnson, Vice President Thomas Blair Jr., Secretary/Treasurer Michelle Johnson, board members Amy Endo and April Frey, candidate representative Thomas Snyder, and Immediate-Past President Barry Santini.

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

OptiSource International has acquired Peeper Keepers, a made-in-the-USA eyewear retainer company.

The annual SECO conference is scheduled for Feb. 20-24, 2019, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. To register: attendseco.com .

The Vision Council released the speaker lineup for its 2019 Executive Summit: legendary football player, coach, and analyst Lou Holtz; expert on the topic of “Conscious Capitalism” Jeff Cherry; business author Liz Wiseman; and economist Brian Beaulieu. It will be held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL. To register: thevisioncouncil.org/executivesummit .

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The Society to Advance Opticianry named Sam Johnson as its 2018 Ophthalmic Optician of the Year.

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De Rigo celebrated its 40th anniversary at the company’s headquarters in Longarone, Italy, in July. The event brought together more than 1,000 De Rigo employees worldwide.

Kenmark Eyewear unveiled images of its newly renovated Kentucky-based corporate headquarters, which houses the product design, marketing, digital, international, retail, accounting, purchasing, sales, customer service, and IT departments with 100 employees in the office and 70 representatives globally.

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has a new job board feature on its website, opticalwomen.com. OWA members and sponsor companies can freely use the job board to post and search for jobs across the optical industry. Nonmembers and nonsponsor companies also have the opportunity to utilize the job board features by submitting a fee.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Joseph Gordon has been named Bausch + Lomb’s new U.S. president. He will oversee the fully integrated U.S. eyecare business, inclusive of all four business units: Vision Care, Consumer Health, Surgical, and Pharmaceuticals.

ABB Optical Group appointed Thomas E. Burke III to chief executive officer. He will assume CEO responsibilities from Angel Alvarez, who will remain as chairman. Brad Weinbrum will continue as president of the company.

For these and other news stories, visit eyecarebusiness.com/news .

More in Munich

opti Munich expands to six halls for its upcoming trade show, scheduled for Jan. 25-27, 2019, at the Fairground Munich.

“In the past, there have been waiting lists for some areas,” says Bettina Reiter, opti project manager. “Now we finally have the opportunity to offer the demanded space. This puts a better spotlight on the individual stands and makes it easier for the visitors to move through the halls.”

Plus, a new lounge section will serve as a networking space.

In addition to its original website, opti.de/en , opti has created a dedicated microsite to present its new image: the-new-opti.com .