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Arlene Barringer

Senior Marketing Manager
Transitions Optical
Pinellas Park, Fla.

CHOSEN BECAUSE… “It’s her strategic leadership, solution-oriented mindset and deep-rooted passion to give underserved communities opportunities that makes Arlene influential at Transitions and within the optical industry.”





As a seasoned marketing professional with 30 years of experience, Arlene Barringer brought her results-driven focus to the optical industry five years ago when she joined Transitions Optical. Today, she leads trade communications and spearheads the rejuvenation of the diversity advisory board for Transitions.

Barringer is a first-generation college graduate from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and she’s fueled by her commitment to excellence and inclusivity. Since joining Transitions, she has partnered with Black Eyecare Perspective to create and launch the HBCU Light Intelligent Tour, which creates awareness of optometry careers and recruits students into the Black Eyecare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club. This work earned her an honorable mention from Ragan Communications 2023 Diversity Awards.

She has also partnered with Latinos en Optometry to develop educational videos on different optometric modalities and worked closely with the Transitions diversity advisory board to create new education content covering multicultural topics. With Barringer’s guidance, Transitions is preparing to launch the Diversity in Optical Grant, which will provide funding for one optometry student, one ophthalmology student, and five students going to opticianry school.

“All my work with the Transitions Diversity Board is laying a solid foundation to change the face of the industry to better serve diverse patients,” said Barringer. “I hope these efforts draw more students of color into optometry, expand the minds and hearts of eyecare professionals to embrace diverse patients, and that the optical grants will keep diverse students focused on their education.”

SHE SAYS… A good challenge inspires me. I love the opportunity to be creative and enact change, either within the business or within the community.”


Kristy Stone

Director of Member Education
PECAA
Boca Raton, Fla.

CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Kristy delivers when it comes to educating ECPs. For every event she offers or is part of, she constantly delivers timely, creative, interesting, progressive and original educational offerings. Having worked in the industry for 18-plus years, Kristy is extremely well-versed in what ECPs want and need, and she always performs at the highest level. As an active volunteer for the OWA’s Membership Committee, Kristy leverages her experience and vivacious personality to draw in new members. Kristy always goes above and beyond in everything she does.”





An optical industry veteran of more than 18 years, Kristy Stone has held many different positions and worn many hats, many of which helped to prepare her for her current role as director of member education at PECAA (Professional Eye Care Associates of America). She started as a technician at Ossip Optometry in the fall of 2006. During her tenure there she worked as an optician, assistant manager, general manager and finally area manager. After Ossip she worked for a revenue cycle management company focusing on vision claims. In January of 2021, she began at PECAA as the director of member education.

“From being in a practice and interacting day-to-day with patients, providing solutions to help their daily lives, to now being in a behind the scenes role where I get to help independent practices with tools and resources to further their knowledge so they can focus on their patients and elevate the care they provide, I’ve always found this industry so rewarding,” Stone said.

As director of member education at PECAA, Stone has numerous responsibilities, including providing continuing education opportunities for members and non-members. She is currently a member of the Optical Women’s Association and serves on their membership committee. Stone has also earned PECAA’s office manager certification and office manager leadership academy certification.

“In my current role, I take pride in providing quality education that is current, relevant, and unique for all roles within an optometric practice. I know that all roles within a practice are vital to the success of the business. I want to encourage and provide easy avenues for anyone to pursue a leadership path, grow within their career, and stay current on industry education to provide the best care possible to patients.”

SHE SAYS… “Use all experiences as learning opportunities to help you meet and exceed your personal and professional goals. Embrace change and challenges, they help you more than you think. Above all else, be happy in what you do, let pride and passion drive you.”


Tammy Thurston

Director of Customer Service, North America
EssilorLuxottica
Northvale, N.J.

CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Tammy is a star performer within the organization—she works with both operations and sales to facilitate customer centric solutions for our doctors. While every solution is tailored to the customer, she has gone above and beyond to improve upon processes to create a new standard of customer care across the organization. More specifically, she has automated many processes to ensure that the customer is kept informed throughout the entire buying process. Tammy is one of those unicorns that possesses strong operational understanding combined with a sincere love for customers and her team members.”





In her role as director of customer service, North America, Tammy Thurston is responsible for customer support for the overall customer service team for EssilorLuxottica. She partners with operations and sales to ensure exceptional customer care for the eyecare provider. An optical industry veteran of eight years, Thurston is a member and participating mentor in EssilorLuxottica’s Women’s Network as well as a member of the Optical Women’s Association.

“The optical field is amazing and is so vast and multidimensional. It is also one that impacts every human. The idea of knowing I can be part of a field that reaches so many was in line with my inner desire to work in a field that provides longevity and the ability to make an impact,” said Thurston.

She added, “I have utilized my experience, both from an operational and customer service perspective, to advance how we communicate and connect with our eyecare providers, advancing more of what the eyecare providers need to support a strong partnership. I would hope I also supported that women of all colors and backgrounds have a place in the optical field, at all levels.”

SHE SAYS… “Never stop seeking an opportunity to learn. Creating and being the best version of yourself is to ensure you are ready for all opportunities.”


Judy Walrath, OD

Director of Professional Relations
Dr. Tavel Family Eyecare
Indianapolis, Ind.

CHOSEN BECAUSE… “In our industry, it’s rare to see a doctor who can speak on behalf of her peers with passion, grace and influence in a non-elected position. In our business in particular, Dr. Judy has completely transformed how we view optometry inside our organization. We went from seeing doctors as part of our corporate strategy to now viewing doctors as the key driver of our strategy.”





Judy Walrath, OD, always knew she wanted to go into the health care field. “I was a high myope as a child, and during my junior year of college, I shadowed my optometrist and found the career to be very emotionally rewarding. Today, although there are times when I have to deliver devastating news, most people leave their visit with a vision solution, which is incredibly fulfilling.”

After earning a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University in 2008, Dr. Walrath attended optometry school and graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 2013. She has been working in the optical industry for 11 years as a practicing optometrist.

As the director of professional relations at Dr. Tavel Family Eyecare since 2019, Dr. Walrath leads doctors, collaborates with the leadership, and aligns office initiatives with doctor activities. “My responsibilities include recruiting new doctors, improving office efficiency, building relationships with the doctors on my team, and being their voice and liaison for decisions that affect how they practice. I ensure high-quality patient care and implement strategies for revenue growth while fostering a supportive environment for doctors,” she said.

“I believe I have helped change the culture of how doctors are viewed at our organization, which then spreads to our community. We have served Indianapolis for over 80 years, and in the last 10 years, we have dramatically shifted our focus to our doctors. This includes providing them with more opportunities to practice full-scope optometry, encouraging them to share their opinions, and integrating eye health and patient wellness into all organizational decisions,” Dr. Walrath said.

SHE SAYS… “First and foremost, I went into optometry to help people achieve a better quality of life by providing exceptional eyecare. Along the way, I’ve found great satisfaction in thinking creatively to find solutions, collaborating with leadership and doctors, and being part of the forward-thinking evolution of the profession.”


Bonnie Whitfield

Director, Member Services
The Vision Council
Baker, Fla.

CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Within just a year and a half of joining The Vision Council, Bonnie has shown an extraordinary ability and dedication to improving the relationship between the organization and its members. She has driven The Vision Council’s ability to advance students and professionals across the industry, nurturing the entire optical community’s growth.”





Prior to joining The Vision Council, Bonnie Whitfield spent over a decade with the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO), growing her people skills in member communications, community affairs and marketing. She led a wide range of initiatives at CHELCO, including overseeing an external and internal communications and public relations program, serving on strategic planning committees, and supervising crisis communications.

Whitfield feels most at home when she is building relationships. She joined The Vision Council in 2022 as the senior manager of member communications and was recently promoted to director of member services. Today, she is responsible for ensuring high satisfaction levels for all members. She heads up the member recruitment, retention and engagement strategy, expanding and enhancing member benefits, onboarding new members, and organizing impactful events and initiatives.

“I enjoy working with and forming relationships with people. Serving our members is a true passion of mine. I enjoy getting to know the history behind a company and an individual and connecting them with the programs and benefits The Vision Council can provide to help them grow and thrive in the optical industry,” she said.

“I’ve worn glasses for 25 years, but my true interest in the optical industry began when I joined The Vision Council. I find the industry fascinating because it involves so many different aspects, and I’m constantly learning new and exciting things. I also appreciate the sense of community in the optical industry, even among competing companies. They all network, collaborate, and support each other, creating a great work environment,” Whitfield observed.

SHE SAYS…“I would advise other women who are trying to build their careers to remember that there will likely always be challenges to overcome. It’s important to never give up on your career goals. Additionally, always be willing to be a student. As an employee and a leader, you can always learn new things to improve, especially with rapid technological advancements.”