Heinz Pichler (l) and
Diana Downs.

GREEN ISLAND, N.Y.— Silhouette has named two senior executives for the U.S., Diana Downs has been promoted to key accounts and business development manager, a new position at the company, and Heinz Pichler, has been promoted to national sales manager.

Downs has been with Silhouette for 10 years and was recognized as Silhouette’s Regional Manager of The Year in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Prior to joining Silhouette, she held a national sales manager position for two years at Allison Eyewear and was also national sales manager, vice president of sales division at Marcolin USA for five years.

“The Silhouette sales team has a strong reputation in the industry for excellence. It is my pleasure to recognize Diana for her considerable accomplishments as she moves into this newly created focal role at Silhouette,” said Jan Cory, U.S. president for Silhouette.

In her new role, Downs will be responsible for the management and growth of key accounts. In addition, she will develop and maintain integral partnerships within the optical industry.

“Silhouette has always done an incredible job of partnering with independent optometry, and now is a great time to bring our highly successful business model to like-minded key accounts. I am looking forward to working more closely with our more complex customers as well as buying groups and key alliance groups,” added Downs.

Heinz Pichler was hired in 2012 as Silhouette’s brand manager of Adidas Eyewear and brings with him over 12 years of experience in the optical industry. He has previously held sales positions at Marchon Eyewear. In his position as brand manager at Silhouette, Heinz was in charge of product and marketing development of the Adidas Eyewear brand, specific to the U.S. market. He helped to develop national sales strategies, manage the implementation of key sales initiatives, and aided in the creation of training materials focused on brand education and competent sales techniques.

In his first year at Silhouette, Adidas orders grew significantly and this progress has continued since. His role also involved the training and motivation of the brand team and account executives to attain incremental growth, while maintaining international communications with the Silhouette home office for U.S. brand alignment.

“I consistently look forward to challenges and opportunities in the industry,” stated Pichler. “Silhouette as a company represents strength of innovation and a level of quality achieved only by the best. To be a part of that team, as we move forward into new and exciting times is a blessing and a responsibility. I'm pleased to accept and look forward to focusing on more ways to support ECPs. ”