Vision Source By John Sailer Monday, February 13, 2012 12:02 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 Prima Eye Group Primary Eyecare Network (PEN) Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) Professional Eyecare Resources Co-op (PERC) OD Excellence Villavecchia Buying Group Vision Source Founded: 1991 Owners: officers/management of the company along with Brazos Equity Partners of Dallas Executives: Glenn D. Ellisor, OD, president and CEO; Tracy Moody, COO; Bobby Christensen, OD, senior VP, strategic planning; John McCall, Jr., OD, senior VP, vendor relations; Rob Houdek, OD, senior VP, growth and development; Derrick Artis, OD, VP, vendor relations and member services; Hans Kell, OD, VP, professional development; Walt West, OD, VP practice development; Kelly Kerksick, OD, senior director of professional services Contact: www.visionsource.com; (888) 558-2020 Programs: vendor partner savings on equipment, labs, contact lenses, frames, office supplies, insurance and more; proprietary brand spectacle lenses (Truclear, CompuClear), contact lenses (2 Clear, AquaClear) and frames (Riserva); initial program implementation for new offices plus regularly scheduled check-ups; practice development through Vision Source Experience (32 regional practice development workshops in 2012), Vision Source Radio (daily practice management tips delivered via internet), VSlearning.com (online staff training curriculum), North American Meeting (annual, three-day meeting with product and equipment training, practice management education and member-to-member focus group sessions), Vision Source Representatives (career development for office managers and key staff members); marketing/advertising program planning and execution to individual offices and market co-ops; free office website; customizable marketing materials available online; colleague support through approximately 1,000 monthly or quarterly meetings in 125 markets that allow members to network and share best practices. Events: Annual North American Meeting (April 25-28); Vision Source Experience (32 in 2012); member receptions at SECO, Vision Expo East, Heart of America, Optometry’s Meeting, East-West, Vision Expo West, Academy; monthly/quarterly regional member meetings Members: 5,000+ doctors in 2,400+ offices Focus for 2012: continuing to support members through practice and professional development tools; marketing expertise and services for internal and external marketing