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Altair Eyewear, Inc., (a division of Marchon Eyewear, Inc.) and Draper James, the Southern-inspired lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon, announced an exclusive global licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of Draper James eyewear. The brand’s first optical collection will debut at Vision Expo East 2019.

Kering Eyewear and Montblanc announced their partnership for the development, production, and worldwide distribution of Montblanc sunglasses and optical frames. The Montblanc Eyewear SS19 collection will be unveiled during SILMO Paris 2018, before being launched internationally in January 2019.

Marchon Eyewear, Inc., and G-III Apparel Group, Ltd., have entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement for DKNY and Donna Karan New York eyewear. Product introductions will begin with DKNY sun and optical eyewear in March 2019.

Marcolin Group and Tod’s Group have announced the early renewal of the licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of Tod’s Eyewear sunglasses and eyeglasses. The licensing agreement has been extended until the end of December 2023.

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De Rigo REM has hired Talia Bruno as its senior director of key accounts. Since entering the optical industry in 2008, Bruno has held senior-level positions at both MODO and Luxottica USA.

Matthew Gushka has joined Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc., as new Mid-Atlantic territory manager.

Europa Eyewear named Nicolas “Nico” Roseillier as its new creative director. Roseillier brings more than a decade of experience leading the creative departments of MODO and, most recently, De Rigo REM.

Howard Purcell, O.D., FAAO, president of the New England College of Optometry, has joined the Evergaze Advisory Board.

Kenmark Eyewear has added new roles within its sales department, appointing current employees Tina Crawford as vice president of sales development, Steve Mount as Western sales director, and Mark Lake as Eastern sales director.

Katherine “K-T” Overbey has joined OneSight as its president and executive director. Overbey most recently served as the assistant vice president of program development and innovation and the executive director of the Learning Network program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Visioneering Technologies, Inc., has announced the promotion of Gary Sacks to national field trainer.

Judith Marcano Williams joins the Vision Impact Institute as program manager, Americas. Williams has held positions at the World Bank and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, DC.

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Healthy Eyes Advantage, Inc., (HEA) has debuted its new HEA 20/20 Program, which is designed to create customized “Solution Pathways” for independent eyecare professionals.

Maui Jim opened an optical lab in Braunschweig, Germany, the company’s first fully digitalized production site located outside the U.S. The lab expands Maui Jim’s presence in Braunschweig, following its launch of a German distribution center in 2004.

Safilo announced the opening of its renovated showroom in Ginza, Tokyo. The showroom is one of more than 20 Safilo showrooms worldwide.

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VSP Optics named the Digital Eye Lab Network, a division of ABB Optical Group, as its Unity Independent Lab of the Year for the second year in a row.

Yingzi Xiong, a research associate from the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Lab for Low Vision Research, received the 2018 Envision-Atwell Award for research in low vision and low vision rehabilitation.

The “Titan Minimal Art. The Icon. Accent Rings” collection from Silhouette received the Red Dot Design Award in July. This is the ninth time Titan Minimal Art. The Icon. eyewear has won the prize. The Accent Rings collection features styles with lenses adorned by SPX rings as frame rims.

VSP Global named five students of optometry as recipients of the 2018 Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award: Nicole Akpunku, Illinois College of Optometry; Astiney Franklin, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; Chizoba Heather Ogoke, Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry; Fayiz Mahgoub, Western University College of Optometry; and Jeromica Ward, Southern College of Optometry.

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Paraoptometric assistants in Hawaii now have the opportunity to enhance their optometric knowledge and skills through a new registered apprenticeship program developed in conjunction with their employers, the Hawaii Optometric Association, and Kapi’olani Community College.

More than 3,750 national and international trade visitors from 42 countries gathered at the first edition of SILMO Bangkok. Next year’s show will be held June 19-21 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center.

Nominations for all Transitions Innovation Awards will be accepted online (TransitionsPRO.com/Awards ) from Oct. 1-31, 2018. Transitions Academy 2019 will be held Feb. 3-6 in Orlando, FL.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Millicent “Millie” Knight, O.D., FAAO, FAARM, joined the Essilor of America leadership team as senior vice president, Customer Development Group. Prior to Essilor, Dr. Knight was vice president of Professional Affairs, North America at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

Independent optometrist alliance group PECAA (Professional Eye Care Associates of America) has merged with practice management group OD Excellence.

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