Ronald L. Benner, OD, (l) and Steven T. Reed, OD.

ST. LOUIS—Citing personal reasons, Ronald L. Benner, OD, has resigned as American Optometric Association (AOA) president, according to the organization. Dr. Benner was officially recognized for a 1-year term as president of the AOA on June 24, 2023, at Optometry’s Meeting that took place in Washington, D.C. After being informed, the AOA Board of Trustees met and designated the organization’s serving president-elect, Steven T. Reed, OD, of Mississippi, as acting president for the next two months. Dr. Reed’s planned installation as president remains set for June 2024, during Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., and the one-year term will run through June 2025, according to the announcement.

Prior to serving as president, Dr. Benner had been elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 118th Annual AOA Congress & 45th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting in June 2015, according to the AOA website. A past president of the Montana Optometric Association (MOA), Dr. Benner held numerous roles within the MOA and AOA, as well as within the Great Western Council of Optometry, serving as chair of the board of directors. Dr. Benner has been honored with the MOA Young Optometrist of the Year Award, MOA Distinguished Service Award and, twice, MOA Optometrist of the Year Award.

A graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry, Dr. Benner has been active in his community, serving in numerous civic and faith-based organizations. He owns and operates a private practice clinic in Laurel, Mont.

 
Dr. Reed was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 119th Annual AOA Congress & 46th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting in July 2016, according to the AOA website, and elected to the office of president-elect during the 126th Annual AOA Congress & 53rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2023.