FYI
By Kim Aubrey-Larcinese

PEOPLE

DAC Vision's VP of operations Tim Spangler recently celebrated 25 years with the company. He has also held positions as manufacturing foreman, production manager, plant manager, and director of manufact-uring and distribution.

Mike Everhart has rejoined DAC as area manager for the West Coast region after working at DAC from 1985 through 2002.

Larry Clarke, president and CEO of the newly merged LOH and Satis North America

The recent merger of LOH Optical and Satis Vacuum has created personnel changes. Larry Clarke, former president and CEO of Satis Vacuum, will become president and CEO of the North American company.

New sales territory representatives include John Sanford, with Dick Paul, Paul Ross, and Scott Pearl of Vision Products (northeast territory); Jay Passey, with Jim Roussel, Greg Eifert, Bob Burkhart, and Nick Roussel of JL Roussel & Associates (midwest territory); Ian Gregg (upper midwest territory); Terry Farrell and Drew Eichel-berger (southeast territory); Steele Young, Jerry Vos, Gary Peterson, Glenn Denny, Ashley Denney, and Tom Fleck of GM Denny & Associates (southwest and west territory); Will Daniels (Satis specialist north); Brian Peterson (Satis specialist south); Kevin Paddy (finishing product specialist); and Steve Schneider (consumables specialist).

Last year brought exciting promotions to Briot-Weco USA. Bret Davis recently returned and was named the company president. Tim Aiken, previously the company's marketing director, is now VP of sales and marketing. Christine Baer continues in her position as controller while also taking on the role of VP of finance.

From left: Briot-Weco USA's VP sales and marketing Tim Aiken, controller/VP of finance Christine Baer, and president Bret Davis

WINNER'S CIRCLE

Ronal Dutton of Clearvision Eye Center in Las Vegas, will enjoy a free trip with his wife to New York City and International Vision Expo East, along with $1,500 spending money and a visit to the Statue of Liberty, thanks to Essilor of America. Dutton was the winner of a random drawing from those registered at the Varilux Liberty booth at International Vision Expo West.

From left: Sandie Besch, Barnett Ramel Optical in Omaha, Neb.; I-Concepts' J. Brian Conrey, J. Brad Conrey, and Harry Browne

Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans presented the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership to Luxottica Retail in recognition of its Give the Gift of Sight Foundation. The program provides free eyecare to more than three million people in need internationally. The award is the only Presidential Award recognizing achievement in employee and community relations.

I-Concepts Optical will choose the second winner of its Driving Polarized Protection contest at International Vision Expo East. Stan Meyer from CHM Eye Specialty Center in Bolivar, Mo., won the first drawing at International Vision Expo West. He will enjoy a $4,000 weekend getaway package.

BUSINESS UPDATES

OptiSource International has moved to new headquarters. The company's new address is: 40 Sawgrass Drive, Bellport, N.Y., 11713. The company also updated its name--moving forward, OptiSource will be 1-800-OptiSource.

Smith Optics is undergoing a departmental reorganization that includes changes in a number of key marketing positions and the creation of a new product department. Eric Carlson is director of product and merchandising; Christine Gould is visual merchandising manager; and Ben Flandro is goggle product manager. New marketing manager Tag Kleiner will continue to oversee promotions managers. Advertising and public relations manager Liz Randall will report to Kleiner and assist in managing visual communications. The group will report to western regional sales manager Mike Martin.

Cardinal's broadcaster Wayne Hagin (I.) and Clarkson Eyecare Foundation bard member Bill Jehling with the eyeGeneration van

GOOD WORKS

Clarkson Eyecare Foundation has created EyeGeneration, a program that works with schools in the St. Louis area to identify children in need of comprehensive eyecare services.

CLARIFICATIONS

In the November 2004 issue, input from Lab-Tech, Inc.'s David Steinbach was inadvertently omitted from "The Finishing Touch."

On p. 18 of the December 2004 issue, EB mistakenly identified Steve Suprenant, winner of the NFOS Superbowl, as a student at Middlesex Community College. He attends arch-rival Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Mass.

SAVE THE DATE

*The American Optometric Association will hold regional examinations for CPO, CPOA, and CPOT on Feb. 12, April 16, Aug. 20, and Dec. 3. For a list of locations, visit www.aoa.org/students/para-dates.asp.

*Jan. 27 to 29, Vision Council of America Annual Winter Meeting, Phoenician Hotel, Scottsdale, Ariz. Online registration is available at www.visionsite.org or call Deborah Clark, manager of meetings and conventions, at 703-548-4560.

*Feb. 23 to 27, SECO International, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. Pre-register before Feb. 4 by calling 770-451-8206 or E-mailing jvrac@secostaff.com. If you miss the Feb. 4 deadline, you can still register at the show.

*March 11 to 13, International Vision Expo East, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York. Visit www.visionexpoeast.com, or contact inquiry@visionexpoeast.com, for information on exhibitors as it becomes available, as well as discounts on hotels and travel.

*March 31 to April 2, 2005, OptoWest (California Optometric Association) Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. Contact Jennifer Root at 800-877-5738 or visit www.optowest.com.

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD--INTERNATIONAL

*Jan. 28 to 30, Opti München, New Munich Trade Fair Center, Munich, Germany. Organizers are expecting 600 exhibitors and 900 companies from 45 countries at Opti 2005.

*Feb. 24 to 26, China International Optics Fair, Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center, Shanghai. Visit the Great Wall and find some exciting new products for your dispensary. For more information, call 011-852-2789-3220 or visit www.orientexhibition.com.hk.

*Feb. 25 to 27, OPTA 2005, Brno Exhibition Centre, Brno, Czech Republic. While slightly smaller than some U.S. shows, OPTA is the largest optical fair in central Europe. Call 011-420-541-152-818 or visit http://www.bvv.cz/opta.