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ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association has provided its members with updated biographical information on the eyecare professionals—both incumbents and newcomers—who are seeking to be elected to new positions on the association’s Board of Trustees. The new board will be elected in June at the annual Optometry’s Meeting,  which is scheduled to run June 24-28 at the National Harbor conference complex in National Harbor, Md. (just outside Washington, D.C.). The AOA noted that it has become recognized worldwide as an authority on eye and vision care in part because of a “devoted group of leaders advocating on behalf of our profession and our patients.”

The announced candidates for the upcoming AOA election are:

• William T. Reynolds, OD, of Kentucky has filed for the office of AOA president after serving on the board since 2012. Currently, Dr. Reynolds serves as chair of the 401(k) Committee and serves on the Personnel and Executive Committees. He is liaison trustee to the Advocacy Committee, Meetings Center Committee, the American Academy of Optometry, the AOA Political Action Committee, and VisionWeb. He also is board liaison to affiliate associations in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania College of Optometry and The Ohio State University College of Optometry.


• Robert C. Layman, OD, of Ohio has filed for the office of AOA president-elect after serving on the board since 2013. Currently, Dr. Layman serves as a chair of the AOA Investment Committee, and serves as a member of the Executive Committee and 401(k) Committee. He is the board liaison to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry in addition to the affiliate associations in Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, University of Houston College of Optometry, Northeastern State University College of Optometry, Rosenberg School of Optometry, and University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. His past board work includes serving as liaison to the Content Review Board, Advocacy Committee, Federal Legislative Action Keyperson Committee, Federal Relations Committee, InfantSEE & Children's Vision Committee, State Government Relations Committee, and Third Party Center Executive Committee.


• James P. DeVleming, OD, of Washington has filed for the office of AOA vice president after serving on the board since 2014. Currently, Dr. DeVleming serves as chair of the Finance Committee and serves as a member of the AOA Investment Committee, Executive Committee, and 401(K) Committee. He is the liaison to the Content Review Board and Quality Improvement and Registries Committee. His board liaison assignments include affiliate associations in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science, New England College of Optometry, and the State University of New York College of Optometry. Dr. DeVleming also serves as a liaison trustee to the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry and the Interorganizational Communications and Cooperation Committee.


• Ronald L. Benner, OD, of Montana has filed for the office of AOA secretary-treasurer after serving on the board since 2015. Currently, Dr. Benner serves as a member of the Investment Committee, Finance Committee and the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. He is liaison to the Contact Lens and Cornea Section, Education Committee, Faculty & Student Membership Liaisons, and the Membership Development Committee. Dr. Benner also is the board liaison to affiliate associations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state affiliates, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry and the Southern College of Optometry. Dr. Benner's past board work includes serving as liaison to the InfantSEE & Children's Vision Committee, Vision Rehabilitation Committee, AOA Excel, Federal Relations Committee, State Government Relations Committee, and Third Party Center Executive Committee.


• Terri A. Gossard, OD, MS, of Ohio has filed for re-election to the AOA Board of Trustees after service as a trustee since 2019. Currently, Dr. Gossard is the board liaison to the Ethics and Values Committee, Evidence-Based Optometry Committee, Paraoptometric Resource Center Committee, and the Optometric Extension Program. Her board liaison assignments include affiliate associations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Southern California College of Optometry, and Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry. Dr. Gossard previously chaired the AOA Multidisciplinary Practice Committee and most recently served on the AOA Third Party Executive Committee and the AOA Professional Relations and Health Center Committees.


• Curtis Ono, OD, of Washington has filed for election to the AOA Board of Trustees. Dr. Ono has served as chair of the AOA's Membership Development Committee, the Affiliate Relations and Membership Executive Committee, and he also has served on the AOA's Resolutions, Vision USA and Practice Modalities committees.


• Tad Kosanovich, OD, of Florida has filed for election to the AOA Board of Trustees. Currently, Dr. Kosanovich serves on the AOA State Government Relations Committee. He is the AOA Third Party Coordinator for Florida and previously worked with the President's Council. As committee chair for Think About Your Eyes, Florida became a leadership state. A past president of the Florida Optometric Association, Dr. Kosanovich wants to bring the professional advocacy that won legislative battles to other affiliates and the nation.