PEOPLE

ABB Optical Group welcomed Donna “Dede” Reyes to its team of specialty contact lens consultants. Reyes comes to the company from SynergEyes, where she served as senior director of clinical services and training.

The American Academy of Optometry announced that Peter Scott, CAE, APR, MBA, will assume the position of executive director. Lois Schoenbrun, CAE, FAAO, retired from the position this month.

◄ Luxury Optical Holdings promoted Jeff Press to chief creative officer, overseeing product design and creative for Robert Marc NYC, Morgenthal Frederics, and its designer collaborations, including Oscar de la Renta and Monse.

Santinelli International promoted Chris Yarborough to new sales consultant for the New York City territory. Yarborough has been with the company for nearly a decade.

WestGroupe appointed Brad Miller Western regional sales director. Miller brings more than 30 years of sales management experience to the role.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Precision Optical Group has acquired Precise Optical, a full-service lab in San Angelo, TX, to better serve customers in the Southwest.

VSP Global has added Maui Jim as a Premier Program Strategic Partner. VSP Global Premier Program practices will have access to exclusive savings, dedicated customer service, and complimentary staff training.

◄ VSP Global also announced the intent to open three brick-and-mortar Eyeconic locations as well as the launch of VSP Ventures, a new business unit designed to offer doctors looking to transition their practices an alternative to private equity. Steve Baker, formerly president of Eyefinity, has been appointed to lead VSP Ventures.

AWARDS

CooperVision’s water sustainability efforts earned its facility in Puerto Rico top honors from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority.

◄ The Lighthouse Guild announced that Tiffany Schmidt, Ph.D., of Northwestern University’s Neurobiology Department, is the recipient of the 2019 Pisart Award for outstanding achievements in vision science research.

National Vision Holdings, Inc., selected the winners of its 2018-2019 optometry student grant program: first place Sherene Vazhappilly of the University of Waterloo, runner-up Astiney Franklin of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry, and runner-up Natalie Wu of New England College of Optometry.

The Amok sunglasses from Tifosi Optics were named as an Editor’s Choice by Trail Runner magazine.

Vision Source Executive Chairman & Founder Glenn Ellisor, O.D., and President & CEO Jim Greenwood were presented with the 2019 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award during Vision Expo East.