PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Transitions Optical, Inc. has named the finalists for its annual Transitions Innovation Awards program, which recognizes both individuals and companies for their innovative efforts to support the Transitions brand over the past year. The finalists will be honored during Transitions Academy 2018, where the winners will be announced.

Finalists for the 2017 Transitions Brand Ambassador—which celebrates an individual who best showcases their dedication to being an influential advocate of the Transitions brand—are Wade Harbin, senior manager, Customer Experience and Innovation, Target Optical and Sears Optical; Jennifer Lyerly, OD, Eyedolatry (Raleigh, N.C.), Triangle Visions Optometry; and Sheena Taff, optician, Roberts & Brown Opticians (Vancouver), Optician About Town.

Orlando’s Millennium Eye Center; Port Orchard, Washington’s Pacific Eye Care; and Jacksonville, Florida’s Pullen Eyecare are finalists for Eyecare Practice of the Year—which recognizes independent eyecare practices and retailers with less than 20 locations that are actively promoting healthy sight to their patients and within their local communities.

Costco Optical, National Vision Inc. and Visionworks are finalists for U.S. Retailer of the Year, awarded to a retailer in the U.S. for actively supporting the Transitions brand and demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the vision of their customers and communities. Costco Optical, Greiche & Scaff and New Look Eyewear are in the running for Canadian Retailer of the Year.

For Best in Marketing—which honors an individual or company for their creative and strategic marketing tactics to effectively promote the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products among customers or within their communities—Opto-Réseau, Value Optical and Vision Source are nominated; 20/20 Visions and Vision Source are nominated for Best in Training, awarded to an individual, company or educator that has shown creativity in developing or offering training and education opportunities that include dispensing photochromic lenses, the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products. 

“This year’s finalists include individuals and organizations that masterfully showcased their passion for the Transitions brand and improving the lives of their patients and customers,” said Jose Alves, general manager, Americas, Transitions Optical.