Alessandro Lanaro Pierre Fay
Lanaro to Resume CEO Role at Modo-N.A., Fay Moves on to Head Reading Glass Startup

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas— Modo Eyewear announced an executive leadership change to take place with the start of the new year. Pierre Fay, who had assumed the role of Modo’s CEO—North America in 2011, is taking on the full time position of CEO of Starling Eyewear, a startup company he recently created with his wife, Isabelle. Alessandro Lanaro, Modo’s owner and global CEO, will assume the role of CEO North America for Modo, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Lanaro said, “Over the past three years, Pierre led Modo North America through an important reorganization, establishing a clear vision for our company’s development in the U.S., and building a strong team allowing the company to pursue further growth. Modo is extremely grateful for Pierre’s strong contributions and we are wishing him and his wife great success in their new entrepreneurial endeavor.”

“I have enjoyed my partnership with Alessandro and I am proud of the work we have accomplished with the Modo team. It is with sadness that I am leaving my Modo friends, but I am at the same time excited to pursue a long time dream of building a company with Isabelle,” Pierre said. “We see an opportunity in the fashion readers category and hope to make a positive contribution to this underserved segment of our industry.”



Bret Davis 
Vision Source Promotes Davis to Senior Vice President of Business

KINGWOOD, Texas— Vision Source has promoted Bret Davis from vice president of business development to senior vice president of business development.

With more than 15 years of experience in the optometric industry, Davis was president of Briot USA prior to joining Vision Source more than five years ago. “Bret has been a great asset to our team over the past four years and is very deserving of this new title and role within Vision Source,” said Jim Greenwood, pesident and CEO. “Bret’s strong performance and knowledge of the industry is a testament to the high level of talent within our organization.”


 Joe Sicari 
Paragon Vision Sciences Announces Reorganization and New Management Team

MESA, Ariz.— Paragon Vision Sciences, Inc., has announced a major reorganization and a new management team that will fundamentally reorganize the company’s corneal reshaping, specialty GP and Lab Channel businesses to increase brand awareness, improve profitability and strengthen competitiveness on a global platform. With the growing prevalence of a worldwide myopia epidemic, the company will also accelerate the expansion of Paragon CRT and other innovative products and services by strategic integration within countries around the world, according to an announcement from the company. The changes are effective immediately.

A cornerstone of the reorganization is the formation of a new management team, led by Paragon’s president and CEO Joe Sicari. The announced reorganization makes some significant changes to the corporate management structure, with a more explicit focus on having a balanced worldwide presence for all products and services, the company said.

The new management team now includes: Natalie Stevens, vice president and CFO; Greg Kline, SVP, sales and new business development, North and Latin America.; Goretty Alonso-Amigo, PhD, VP, science and technology; Rich Jeffries, VP, sales and new business development, Western U.S. and Asia/Pacific; Pam Scoggins, VP, worldwide marketing; Rafael Martinez, VP, sales and new business development, Europe, Middle East and Africa; Josh Cummings, director, ocular device production; and Ken Kopp, director, clinical and professional services.

Sicari said, “This reorganization is designed to transform Paragon into a more innovative, integrated and agile global company with its next generation of leadership firmly in place. Paragon’s new management team will quickly achieve a position of worldwide leadership and, together, they will achieve great things.”


Chris King
Transitions Names Chris King Education Manager

PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Chris King has joined Transitions Optical, Inc. as education manager. The company has appointed him to this position to lead strategy and development of education and training initiatives that support industry professionals with product and business knowledge to increase patient satisfaction and drive growth of the optical industry.

King comes to Transitions with several years of experience developing training materials for a variety of organizations and audiences, most recently at Georgia Military College where he developed education and training tools for students to achieve academic success. His career began in a retail environment where he managed store performance and led in-store marketing and training efforts. With an associate degree in business administration from Darton College and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Valdosta State University, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

“As we continue to introduce new, advanced technology to the optical industry, such as Transitions Signature VII lenses, education is more important than ever so these technology leaps can be understood by eyecare professionals and related to their patients,” said Sarah Barrows, senior communications and marketing manager, ECP and trade, Transitions Optical.

“Chris will be critical to our organization, as education is a hallmark of our commitment to our partners and the foundation for business growth.”


 Felix Marks
Legacie Welcomes Marks as Executive Brand Ambassador

NEW YORK—Legacie, the Luxury House of B. Robinson has announced that Felix Marks will be joining the team as an executive brand manager. Felix has over 20 years of industry experience. This newly created role is a key component of Legacie’s new consultative sales strategy which will roll out in 2014, according to an announcement from the company.

This year will bring about a new relationship-selling model that will be spearheaded by Felix Marks, the company said. “Felix’s proven track record in our industry leaves him poised as the perfect individual to spearhead this transition for Legacie. He will lead a group of Brand Ambassadors that will function as a full-service consultative team, further evolving the role of the traditional optical account executive,” said Cliff Robinson, co-president of Legacie.

In support of Legacie’s consultative sales strategy are plans to introduce a full suite of new technological initiatives including a planned launch of a robust business-to-business ordering and informational platform. n