Eyecare Business delivers the latest updates across the eyecare industry, from appointments to achievements and other notable news. This week includes updates from Coburn Technologies, Lighthouse Guild, Modern Optical International, Prevent Blindness, and the United Opticians Association.
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Coburn Technologies has promoted Ram Narayanan from executive director, AMEA, to vice president, AMEA. Narayanan, who has been with the company for 27 years, has played a key role in expanding Coburn’s presence across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Narayanan began his career at Coburn Optical in 1998 as a field service engineer in Singapore before transitioning to sales and marketing in 2004. He later took charge of the Asia team in 2011, contributing to significant growth in market share and operations.
Thomas Panek has been appointed as the president and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, succeeding Calvin W. Roberts, MD, in April. Panek has led the nonprofit Guiding Eyes for the Blind as president and CEO for the past decade and has previously held leadership roles at National Industries for the Blind and the U.S. Department of Commerce. He also collaborated with Google to develop Project Guideline, an artificial intelligence-driven navigation tool for blind runners.
Modern Optical International has appointed Matt McGinnis as vice president of strategy and Ahab Haddad as director of key accounts. McGinnis brings over 20 years of experience in sales leadership and strategic growth, including key roles at Altair. Haddad has over 30 years of experience in the eyecare industry, with 22 years at Hoya Vision.
Matt MacDonald, president and global head of managed care at EyeMed Vision Care, has been named chair-elect of the Prevent Blindness board of directors. MacDonald will succeed current chair Jim McGrann at the end of his term in November 2025. Additionally, Harris S. Schild, MD, clinical advocacy and support medical director at Optum/UnitedHealthcare, has joined the Prevent Blindness public health and policy committee.
The United Opticians Association has appointed Gwen Cooper as executive director. Cooper brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, legislative advocacy, and organizational growth. She has held executive roles at Accessia Health, Hosparus Health, Seven Counties Services, and Community Health Charities of Florida. Cooper serves on the patient engagement advisory panel with PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute). Additionally, she is a member of Women Business Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and the American Society of Association Executives. In her new role, she will focus on expanding UOA’s impact through policy advocacy, fundraising, and professional development for opticians.
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Paul G. Howes, executive vice president of strategy and business development at Translatum Medicus Inc., received the Louisa Lee Schuyler Award for his volunteer contributions to Prevent Blindness. Howes has served on the Prevent Blindness board of directors since 2004 and continues as an emeritus member.