By Staff
Friday, August 23, 2019 12:14 AM
ORLANDO, Fla.— Kenneth Duy Tran, OD, is this year’s recipient of the Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr., Low Vision Residency Award, according to an announcement from the
American Academy of Optometry Foundation. Dr. Tran is an Ian L. Bailey, Low Vision/Ocular Disease Resident at the University of California, Berkeley, College of Optometry. He was chosen by a committee of members in the Low Vision Section of the
American Academy of Optometry (AAO). Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr., OD, DOS, FAAO led a career marked by stellar accomplishments as a teacher, writer, lecturer and administrator and was the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Rosenbloom was not only one of the first Ezell Fellows but also published more than 75 professional journal articles on topics of low vision rehabilitation, optometric gerontology, optometric education and public health, and co-authored three major textbooks including Vision and Aging.
By Staff
Thursday, August 22, 2019 12:12 AM
PELHAM, Ala.—Danny Ray Pugh, president and co-owner of
Optical Prescription Lab and
Optical Supply Co-op passed away on August 1. He was 52 years-old. Pugh was born July 12, 1967, in Wylie, Texas, according to the Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1985, and continued his education at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Pugh enjoyed playing drums, collecting sports memorabilia, and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and adored his three chihuahuas, Bear, Landry and Sadie. He attended Liberty Baptist Church.
By Staff
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—Following a 15-year tenure at the company, Rebecca Giefer has been appointed as CEO of
Modo Americas, effective Sept. 1.
By Staff
Friday, August 16, 2019 12:15 AM
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.—
Oakley has announced that Derwin James Jr., free safety for the Los Angeles Chargers, has partnered with the brand. He will be the third football player to join Team Oakley, accompanying Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback
Patrick Mahomes and Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster, as
VMAIL previously reported. 23-year-old James was drafted to the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, after playing three seasons as a Florida State Seminole. During his rookie year, James was invited to his first Pro Bowl, and was named first-team All-Pro.
By Staff
Thursday, August 15, 2019 12:15 AM
FRONHAUSEN, Germany—Ophthalmic equipment maker
Schneider was recently honored with the German Innovation Award by the German Design Council for the invention of the Modulo Line, the first fully automated Industry 4.0 ophthalmic lens production system. An independent and interdisciplinary jury of experts selected Schneider for the honor. “Schneider’s Modulo Line lives and breathes Industry 4.0 and is a fantastic showcase of what its true power is—not just in theory but in reality. It provides fundamental competitive advantages like utmost efficiency and cost savings,” said Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer, a member of the jury.
By Staff
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 12:13 AM
CARLTON, Victoria, Australia—
Bionic Vision Technologies Pty Ltd. (BVT), an Australian medical device company working on retinal devices, reports that Ash Attia joined the company as its chief executive officer. The appointment rounds out the executive team at BVT, an announcement said, with the recent arrivals of both Brian Gordon as chief scientific officer and Dr. Adrian Oates as chief operating officer. With progress being achieved in its current clinical trial, the company said it is increasingly focused on planning for future pivotal trials, regulatory approval and commercial release of its bionic eye technology.
By Staff
Thursday, August 8, 2019 12:18 AM
BALTIMORE—
Versant Health has announced the speaker lineup for the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, which is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Volunteers of America Classic women's professional golf tournament at The Tribute Golf Links Clubhouse, The Colony, Texas. This event is the only LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) event in Texas this year. The Women’s Leadership Summit will welcome “a powerhouse lineup to its Inclusive Leaders session,” presenting sponsor Versant Health said in its announcement of the event. The summit, which is being held in conjunction with the LPGA tournament, will bring together leaders from multiple industries to explore workplace diversity and inclusion, share their own career and leadership experiences, and discuss strategies to drive long-lasting change.
By Staff
Monday, August 5, 2019 12:21 AM
NEW YORK—
VisionSpring’s board of directors announced the promotion of Ella Gudwin from president to CEO of the organization.
By Staff
Friday, August 2, 2019 12:21 AM
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—
Keplr Vision, the new company formed in late July to combine the former Total Eye Care Partners and Visionary Eye Partners under a single management platform—has named optical industry veteran Claude Labeeuw as senior vice president and head of business development. Labeeuw, an optometrist and economist by education, has focused his career on growing businesses in the eyecare industry, according to the announcement this week. Keplr announced its new name and structure a week ago, as
VMAIL reported.
By Staff
Thursday, August 1, 2019 12:24 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Global has announced the promotion of Wendy Hauteman to chief marketing officer (CMO). In the role, Hauteman will lead the organization’s global marketing strategy to deliver its products and services to a diverse set of stakeholders, including nearly 90 million VSP members, the company said. She will report to Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VSP Global. Hauteman succeeds Mark Ginsberg, who served as CMO since 2016, and moves into a new role as VSP Global’s chief giving officer.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 30, 2019 12:24 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
The Vision Council announced the Lab Division’s Directors’ Choice Award recipient and the industry veterans who have been chosen to be inducted into the Lab Division Hall of Fame for 2019. The Division has named Steve Sutherlin, The Vision Council’s Lab Division liaison and former president of
Sutherlin Optical, as the 2019 recipient of the Directors’ Choice Award. Sutherlin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 and will be honored again this year for his more than 45 years in the optical industry.
By Staff
Friday, July 26, 2019 12:15 AM
DULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision has awarded $7,000 in grants to three students who are members of the
National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). The grants were awarded at the 51st Annual
National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention on Friday, July 12 in Atlanta. These grants, which are made possible due to National Vision’s partnership with the NOA, are open to all active NOSA members in good standing with an optometry school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
By Staff
Thursday, July 25, 2019 12:18 AM
DULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision Holdings, Inc. (EYE) announced the appointment of Heather Cianfrocco, chief executive officer,
UnitedHealthcare Community & State, a division of
UnitedHealth Group, (NYSE: UNH), to its board of directors, effective July 24. Cianfrocco will serve on the board’s compensation committee.“We are thrilled to welcome Heather to our board of directors,” said Reade Fahs, CEO, National Vision Holdings, Inc. “She brings a deep expertise in the world of managed health care, clinical care strategy and operations, as well as experience in corporate and securities law specific to health care entities. Her unique and specific expertise couldn’t be better suited for our mission of increasing access to affordable eyecare and eyewear for budget-conscious Americans.”
By Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 12:15 AM
KNOWVILLE, Tenn.—Services are to be held later this week for Jesse Bryon “JB” Morgan Jr., 91, who passed away July 19. He was a veteran of the United States Army, served during the Korean Conflict, owned and managed several wholesale optical laboratories and was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church. JB enjoyed his profession making eyeglasses, and filled a garage full of classic cars. In 1949, JB met Ray Odom who persuaded him to work for American Optical (AO) in Jacksonville, Fla. rather than return to his hometown of Marion, N.C. After working in the Surface Department at AO, JB was drafted and served in Korea in the 31st Infantry Regiment on the fighting front. In 1952, JB returned to American Optical and worked his way up to assistant manager while attending business college at night.
By Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019 12:21 AM
ATLANTA—
Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALIM), a leader in the commercialization and development of prescription ophthalmology treatments for the management of retinal diseases, announced the appointment of John Snisarenko to its board of directors. Snisarenko has more than 30 years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including major retina and ophthalmology businesses. “John’s commercial experience in ophthalmology and other successful pharmaceutical products makes him a great addition to our board and a great resource to help me guide Alimera into the future,” said Rick Eiswirth, Alimera’s president and CEO.