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BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—Keplr Vision, a management group that provides a comprehensive operational and support platform to optometric practices, has named Chris Folsom as the organization’s first chief financial officer. Folsom, who took on the new responsibilities in January, brings more than 20 years of financial executive leadership experience to the fast-growing Keplr organization, according to an announcement. Folsom began his career with KPMG LLP, a “Big Four” accounting firm and subsequently transitioned into roles within manufacturing and service-based organizations.

These roles included vice president of commercial operations and enablement, chief financial officer of Tyco Security Products at Johnson Controls, and chief financial officer of Retail Technical Services at Flextronics. His most recent role was as chief financial officer of Vision Group Holdings, a 140-location LASIK provider, which he led through a successful liquidity event. Folsom received his BS in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and a certified Six Sigma Lean Professional (SSLP).

“Welcoming Chris to the Keplr Vision leadership team has been a wonderful way to start 2020,” Keplr Vision chief executive officer Nick Williams said. “His wealth of knowledge and experience across several industries makes him an excellent addition to our growing company.”

Folsom added, “Keplr Vision is not just another private equity consolidator—they are bringing together the nation’s leading private practice optometrists to advance the science and profession of optometry. They are creating something special, and I want to be part of it.”

Keplr was formed in mid-2019 when two portfolio companies of Canada’s Imperial Capital—Total ECP and Visionary Eye Partners—merged and began operating as a combined entity under the Keplr Vision name, as VMAIL reported.  Keplr is a business support services company built to invest in medically focused optometry practices, as well as to provide best-in-class lens technology and patient experience. The name was inspired by the life and works of Johannes Kepler, a central figure of the scientific revolution in the 17th century.