Prima Eye Group By John Sailer Monday, February 13, 2012 12:07 AM RELATED CONTENT Finding Strength in Numbers Making the Choice: Vital Stats on ECP Alliances and Buying Groups *VM Web EXCLUSIVE: "Membership Has Its Benefits," Say ECPs in Buying Groups and ECP Alliances The Alliance Block Buying Group C & E Vision/Vision West Independent Doctors of Optometric Care (IDOC) Opti-Port Primary Eyecare Network (PEN) Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) Professional Eyecare Resources Co-op (PERC) OD Excellence Villavecchia Buying Group Vision Source Prima Eye Group Founded: October 2011 Owners: Jerry Hayes, OD, co-founder, chairman and CEO; Neil Gailmard, OD, MBA, FAAO, co-founder, president and COO Executives: Nathan Hayes, director of business development; Billy Cochran, OD, educational advisor Contact: www.primaeyegroup.com; (800) 668-0599 Programs: vendor discounts and rebates; one-on-one consulting with experienced ODs; benchmarking with national practice metrics; advisory services for practice transitions and buy/sell valuations; support for peer-to-peer study groups; business building education from top national speakers; staff training; live conferences and webinars; live billing and coding help desk; analysis of managed care plans; practice marketing programs; guidance with social media and e-commerce Events: Feb. 16-18, Orlando, regional meeting; May 4-6, Atlanta, regional meeting; Sept. 27-30, Dallas, national meeting; Nov. 30-Dec. 2, San Francisco, regional meeting; webcasts to be announced Members: 65 Focus for 2012: membership growth; educational meetings; study group meetings; introduce Prima Center for Staff Training