Jay Raftery.
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—Live Eyewear has appointed Jay Raftery to the position of vice president of business development. In this newly created role, Raftery will manage a completely new segment of the company's business which has yet to be announced, according to the company, and report directly to Kieran Hardy, Live’s CEO.

"Jay's signing comes during the final chapter of four years of product research and development,” said Hardy. “The resources, time and money we directed into the project have been considerable, but the final result is a product that has a tremendous upside not just for our customers and our company, but the entire optical industry. I'm thrilled that something that started out as an 'impossibility' is now going to market. I couldn't think of anyone more suited to guide its success than Jay."

Raftery will have operations, sales and marketing responsibility for the new division. "There are so many positive aspects to this project,” he explained. “From the outset I knew that if the product could be made, the advantages we'd deliver to eyecare professionals would be landmark. The fact that its 'Made in the USA' is a true testament to the continued evolution and progress of U.S. based manufacturing."

The company will launch the new division at Vision Expo East in New York City in April 2016. "There is a lot of work to do before New York," said Raftery, "but it doesn't end there. Once the line is unveiled, we have a succession of optical industry trade shows and release events across five continents. It's definitely an exciting time."

Raftery rejoins Live Eyewear after two years with Beach, Cowdrey and Owen LLP. "Jay is very familiar with Live Eyewear as he previously served as the company's in-house General Counsel from 2010 to 2013. We're all pleased to welcome him back," concluded Hardy.