fyi

Tara Rosenzweig

PEOPLE

Top to bottom: Transitions Optical's Greg Marko; HOYA Vision Care's Roland Sitzler; ProFit Optix’ Glenna Glenn; Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear's Kristen McLaughlin; and Intercast Group's Brian Putos

Transitions Optical has appointed Greg Marko, formerly business manager, channel marketing and communications, to the role of director, North American marketing. He will be responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all Transitions marketing plans and programs for the U.S. and Canada. HOYA Vision Care, North America, has named Roland Sitzler regional sales director in the company's northeast region. Sitzler has 30 years of experience in the optical industry. He most recently served as national sales director, equipment, with Carl Zeiss Vision. ProFit Optix has announced the appointment of Glenna Glenn as national sales manager. A veteran of the optical industry, she was formerly director of business development for L'Amy and an award-winning sales and business consultant for Essilor Laboratories of America. Silhouette's Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear has promoted Kristen McLaughlin to the newly created position of brand director for the U.S. market. McLaughlin joined Silhouette as a product manager in 2000. Intercast Group has named Brian Putos its Americas sunlens manager. The company is opening a U.S. sales office in Monroeville, Pa.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Transitions Optical, Inc., and Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc., are joining forces to provide ECPs with resources to better serve Hispanic patients. More than 4,000 ECPs were contacted to receive a complimentary Hispanic Kit that contains a variety of point-of-sale and educational materials.

The AOA Commission on Paraoptometric Certification (CPC) announced that certification exams will be offered via computer at several hundred sites in the U.S. starting next year. These exams are in addition to the current paper exams given at Optometry's Meeting.

VSP Vision Care is sponsoring a new feature titled "Ask the Eye Doctor" on the American Diabetes Association website. The feature highlights 10 frequently asked questions about eye health and diabetes. Ask the Eye Doctor is posted online at www.askavspdoctor.com.

Optical Dynamics has started a lens casting pilot program for retail optical store customers. Westchester Medical Group in White Plains, N.Y., is the first optical participating in the New York area. The service is expected to save retailers 30 to 60 percent compared to surfacing labs, say company reps.

IN MEMORY

Hydrogel Vision announced the passing of its western area sales director, Ed Lohmann, following a brief illness. A 31-year sales veteran in the contact lens industry, Lohmann joined Hydrogel Vision in late 2006. He previously worked for CIBA Vision and CooperVision.

CORRECTION

The FYI section in the September issue of EB stated that Santinelli International has been in business since 1937; the correct year is 1973.