fyi

by Lindsey Aspinall Getz

PEOPLE
New manager at Volk Optical, Terry Cooper	Chris Gallagher, new hire of Younger Optics	New HOYA Vision Care employee, Brad Main
Base Curve has announced the appointment of Mike Papineau to sales director, western hemisphere. Papineau will oversee the sales of Carolina Herrera and John Varvatos Eyewear in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. The company also appointed Valerie Lawrence sales representative, Inland Empire/San Bernardino area. Volk Optical has appointed Terry Cooper European regional manager. He will provide sales and customer service support for ophthalmic lenses, equipment, and accessories. He has more than 25 years of sales experience. Live Eyewear has named Michelle McIntire optical marketing manager. She will be responsible for public relations, marketing promotions, and branding campaigns for Live's optical division. Younger Optics has added Chris Gallagher as a retail lens consultant for the southern U.S. Gallagher will lend support to dispensaries in Alabama, parts of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Arkansas. He has more than 14 years of industry experience. HOYA Vision Care, North America, has named Brad Main the manager of training and technical resources, responsible for designing, implementing, and managing sales development and professional education programs in the U.S. L'Amy America has appointed Genevieve Fay worldwide brand manager for Theory Eyewear and marketing manager, Lunettes L'Amy. Most recently, she was director of marketing for Silhouette Optical, and she has more than five years' optical experience.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Essilor Laboratories of America has opened the Crizal Alizé/TD2 Technologies Center at Duffens Optical in Denver. The Center is the region's largest anti-reflective lens facility, and produces Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, and Crizal Sun lenses.

The National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) and Transitions Optical, Inc., have released a consensus paper summarizing the discussions from the NAVCP member Medical Advisor Roundtable, held during the NAVCP's annual conference. The paper, Addressing the Need for Education on the Value of Vision Care Plans, identifies the lack of emphasis on vision care in comparison to dental and other health benefit packages, and stresses an need to educate consumers and HR professionals on the importance of regular eyecare and quality eyewear. Visit www.NAVCP.org or www.Transitions.com.

"When Image Drivewear lenses were launched we contacted patients who had expressed interest in progressives. By far, the majority decided to order them and in the months since their release we have heard nothing but praise."

–Alan Greenhill, OD Melbourne, Australia

AWARDS

Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) received the American Public Health Association's Distinguished Service Award from the Vision Care Section. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a person, institution, or group who has made an outstanding contribution or demonstrated continual high quality service in the area of public health eye/vision care. PBO received this recognition for its role in establishing Ohio's Aging Eye Public Private Partnership.

The Vision Council of America (VCA) received an honorable mention as one of Washington D.C.'s 2007 "Great Places to Work" from Washingtonian magazine. This publication conducts a bi-annual search for the top places of employment in the metropolitan area of Maryland, Virginia, and the district. VCA was one of over 225 companies who competed for the honor in 2007.

Transitions Optical, Inc., has awarded 10 student optometrists and 10 student opticians $500 scholarships through its first annual Transitions^® Healthy Sight for Life Fund scholarship program. Opticianry students: Hillsborough Community College, Andrew Doutt; Northeastern State University, Kyle Head; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Virlace Hunt, Isaiah Rodriguez, Monica Waikaniwa, and Melanie James; Erie Community College, Carole LoVerso; Raritan Valley Community College, Lynne Postman; Douglas College, Esther Pike and Delana Russell. Optometry students: Pennsylvania College of Optometry: Dillon Boynton, Ryan McKinnis, Angela Peddle, and Rachel Sugal; Pacific University College of Optometry, Nick Hedberg; Southern California College of Optometry, Ruth Marquez; University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry, Teresa Mathew/Jacquelyn Engelbrecht (joint entry); Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry, Ashley McFerron; Nova Southeastern University, Jonathan Nebb and Pravina Patel.

"Stunning contrast sensitivity improvement in the car. Cuts right through the smog and haze, while allowing enough light tor comfortable, clear vision. And it really does adjust for lighting conditions".

–Robert Glass, OD Costa Mesa, CA

"Drivewear is like a pair of old jeans, they're so comfortable! And the contrast is phenomenal. Sharpens in all conditions: we've had rain, fog and even a little sunshine!"

–Janet Benjamin, President, Laramy K Optical

HOYA Vision Care has named New South Lab of Greenville, S.C., as the 2007 HOYA Lab of the Year "for their longtime support of HOYA products and their commitment to the independent eyecare professional," said Barney Dougher, president of HOYA Vision Care North America. In other news from the company, representatives from 20 eyecare practices enjoyed a week-long getaway to Mulheim, Germany, a vacation won through the HOYALUX iD Trip & Gift Giveaway. The group enjoyed excursions including a guided tour of the HOYA lab in Mulheim.

Representatives from twenty lucky eyecare practices pause for a photo during their trip to Germany, compliments of HOYA

Doug Hepper, president and CEO of Vision-Ease Lens, shown center, accepts an award from the Chief Executive Network

Vision-Ease Lens was awarded the "Best Disruptive Product Innovation" award for the development and successful deployment of its LifeRx photochromic lenses by the Chief Executive Network (CEN).