PEOPLE: Moves Independent Optical Lab Names Jolan Roberts as Growth Operations Manager By Staff Thursday, July 7, 2022 12:18 AM Jolan Roberts. GREENSBORO, N.C.—Independent Optical Lab has named Jolan Roberts as growth operations manager, and she will have “an eye on furthering the company’s expansion outside its Mid-Atlantic home base,” according to the company’s recent announcement. Roberts is an industry veteran known for her work with ABB Optical Group, Hoya Vision Care, Shamir Insight and Professional Optical Laboratories. In this new role, Roberts will work with the company’s founder, Ben Collier, on strategic growth plans to quickly expand the lab’s footprint across the USA, the announcement noted. Since the lab’s March 2020 launch, Independent Optical Lab has produced advanced freeform lens designs, specialty wrap products and advanced anti-reflective coating processes in-house in its 19,000-square-foot facility here in Greensboro, N.C. “IOL has enough capacity in its current footprint to quickly grow into one of the USA’s top-producing labs, providing some of the quickest turn-time in the country,” Collier said, describing the company’s growth plans. (VMAIL reported on Independent Optical Lab’s launch plans in September 2019, which can be read about here.) Roberts said that she believes it’s “a tremendous privilege to grow and expand Independent Optical Lab with Ben and his team.” She added, “We are building a counterculture of fiercely independent eyecare practitioners, innovative lens and artisanal eyewear companies who demand the utmost quality and service. Independent Optical Lab has a distinct vision of creating more reciprocity for all our partners. You will not only see the difference working with us, you will feel it, too.”