By Staff
Friday, April 3, 2020 12:15 AM
ALEXANDRA, Va.—Greg Chavez, The Vision Council’s executive vice president of operations and membership, is moving on from the organization to assume a new position as CEO of
The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA). Chavez has been with The Vision Council for 17 years. As Ashley Mills,The Vision Council’s CEO told members of his departure, she noted, “Greg has become part of the DNA of the organization as he’s worked tirelessly to grow The Vision Council’s membership from 80 companies to nearly 800. This incredible accomplishment can be credited to Greg’s leadership skills, authenticity and passion for the optical industry.
By Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—Tom Coburn, an optical industry veteran who later gained prominence as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, died at his home here on March 28.
By Staff
Monday, March 30, 2020 12:24 AM
GREEN BAY, Wis.—
Shopko Optical has named Roberta Hengel to its management team as director of managed vision care. Hengel has worked in the managed care industry for more than 25 years and joins the team with proven experience in managed care network administration, contract negotiation, and developing growth strategies. Before accepting the position with Shopko Optical, Hengel served as director of managed care for UnitedHealth Group for more than 15 years. “I am pleased to welcome Roberta to the Shopko Optical team,” Kirk Lauterback, chief operating officer, said in a recent announcement. “Roberta’s unique experience will bring strong leadership and support with our insurance plan partners and enable us to provide additional benefits to our patients.”
By Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:21 AM
ATLANTA—
Eye Health America (EHA), a leading eyecare practice management services organization in the Southeast, has acquired Dillon Eyecare Associates (DEA) and
Pee Dee Eye Associates (PDEA), two “fabric of the community” optometry practices located in the Pee Dee region (between Columbia and Myrtle Beach) of South Carolina, according to an announcement this week. With locations in Dillon, Hartsville and Sumter, S.C., the DEA and PDEA practices are both “the go-to primary eyecare providers in their communities,” according to the announcement.
By Staff
Monday, March 23, 2020 12:15 AM
CHICAGO—
Kemper Corporation (NYSE: KMPR) announced that Erich Sternberg has joined the company as president of its Life and Health Division. Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Sternberg will be based in Chicago and report to Joseph P. Lacher, Jr., Kemper’s president and chief executive officer. The executives that lead the Kemper Life and Kemper Health brands will report to Sternberg. “Erich’s extensive leadership experience in the industry, his deep understanding of the life and health business, and years of effective execution on relevant business strategy will be a tremendous asset to our company,” said Lacher.
By Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:27 AM
NEW YORK and ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Two vision care businesses are among the first groups in the U.S. to announce that they will be instituting closures of their offices and store networks to prevent the spread of the oronavirus (COVID-19). In an announcement late yesterday,
Vision Innovation Partners, a leading provider of ophthalmology services in the Mid-Atlantic region, said they are suspending all non-emergent appointments and surgeries for at least two weeks throughout its entire network.
By Staff
Monday, March 16, 2020 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—
Lighthouse Guild announced that Gerrit Melles, MD, PhD from The Netherlands has been awarded the 2020 Bressler Prize for his outstanding advances in vision science, particularly in the field of corneal transplantation. With a clinical focus on the management of corneal disorders and the research and development of new ophthalmic surgical procedures, Dr. Melles has invented several advanced lamellar keratoplasty techniques, including Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Bowman layer transplantation (BLT), among others.
By Staff
Friday, March 13, 2020 12:21 AM
BRIDGEWATER, N.J.—
Bausch + Lomb, the eyecare business unit of
Bausch Health Companies (NYSE/TSX: BHC) , has promoted Jill Saxon, OD, FAAO, to a new position: executive director, professional strategy, Bausch + Lomb. The move was effective earlier this month. Saxon, who also is a member of the company’s leadership team for U.S. vision care, previously was the company’s senior director, professional strategy. Dr. Saxon joined Bausch + Lomb as the director of professional strategy in 2014. At that time, she had been an independent optometrist at Randolph Eyecare Center, in Randolph, N.J.
By Staff
Friday, March 13, 2020 12:15 AM
GREEN BAY, Wis.—
Shopko Optical, in a move that reflects its ongoing effort to build out its leadership team, has named Susan Buckna as general counsel. Buckna joins the Shopko Optical team with almost 30 years of legal expertise in corporate legal and regulatory matters, including health care operations, employment, information technology, intellectual property and corporate governance, according to the company’s announcement. “I am thrilled Susan has chosen to join the Shopko Optical team,” chief executive officer Russ Steinhorst said. “With experience in both the retail and health care sectors, she is a steadfast business and legal partner who will be instrumental in supporting and advocating for the company’s growth.”
By Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 12:36 AM
LONGARONE, Belluno, Italy—
Marcolin S.p.A's board of directors announced yesterday that they had "mutually agreed to terminate their contractual relationship with Massimo Renon, the CEO and general manager of the group, effective April 14, 2020." The board's brief statement said they "thanked Massimo Renon for his efforts and support to the company over the last three years, directing it toward a future of further success." Until the established date, Renon, who became CEO of Marcolin Group in 2017, will continue in his current role.
By Staff
Friday, March 6, 2020 12:21 AM
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.—
Kenmark Eyewear, a leader in crafting and distributing original optical eyewear and sunglasses, recently held its biannual sales meeting here. The meeting concluded 2019 as one of the company’s most successful years yet, the company said. Throughout the three-day meeting, the theme was "Becoming a Visionary." Speakers offered insights on the company strategy heading into 2020, how to become a sales consultant, an overview of the successful Paradigm launch and the 2020 strategy for the brand, and a Sales Behavioral Workshop with guest speaker, Rico Pena.
By Staff
Friday, February 28, 2020 12:21 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The
California Optometric Association (COA) announced Thursday that Jason Tu, OD, has been elected as the new president of the organization. Dr. Tu is a practicing optometrist in San Diego, and he has been a compassionate provider and effective advocate for his patients over his decades-long career, according to the announcement. Previously, Tu served as the president of the COA San Diego County Optometric Society, secretary-treasurer of the California Optometric Association, and on the Vision of Children Foundation advisory board.
By Staff
Thursday, February 27, 2020 12:15 AM
BALTIMORE, Md.—
Versant Health, a leading national managed eye health and vision plan company, has named Lula Richards as their new chief compliance officer, according to an announcement from the company. As the chief compliance officer, Richards is responsible for ensuring Versant Health’s compliance with federal laws, rules, regulations and internal standards, policies and procedures. She will also oversee all internal audit activities and assure that Versant Health has a comprehensive and systematic approach to identify, prioritize, and assess business risks across the organization.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 12:18 AM
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J.—
Charmant Group has announced the promotion of Masato Nakagaichi to the role of executive vice president, effective immediately. In this new role, Nakagaichi will be responsible for the daily operating performance of the U.S. subsidiary. This includes finance, strategic sales planning and analysis. Before taking on this role, Nakagaichi spent three years as director of corporate planning. He has worked at Charmant for 23 years, taking on roles including sales manager for export sales and sales support manager responsible for wholesale business covering Germany, France and the U.K.
By Staff
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 12:24 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Global announced today the promotion of Michelle Skinner to chief network officer, and Earnie Franklin to chief operating officer. Skinner, who most recently served as chief provider relations officer, assumes expanded responsibilities to centralize the organization’s network business areas, including VSP Ventures, Eyeconic, and Provider Solutions, which includes doctor-facing functions, programs, and the VSP Global Premier Program. Franklin will be responsible for VSP Global’s supply chain, driving integration and alignment across the organization, including overseeing VSP Optics.