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Marcolin Group and TBL Licensing, LLC, announced the early renewal of the licensing agreement for the design, production, and worldwide distribution of Timberland optical frames and sunglasses. The license has been renewed until December 2023.

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Jonathan Mish has joined ABB Optical Group as chief information officer.

Komono added new members to its management team: Charlotte Arts as creative director and Michael Arts as commercial specialist. The company has also renewed and expanded its partnership with Sample&Supply in France, taken its German business activities in-house, and partnered with Slam Jam for distribution in Italy.

John Justice has joined Modern Optical International as vice president of business development. In addition, Chris Millet has been promoted to managing director of global sales.

Pramaor, production company of Blackfin eyewear, appointed Simone Favero as marketing manager and Mario Viel as global commercial director.

David Anabitarte joined Safilo Group as its new commercial leader of Latin America. Anabitarte brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the role, serving most recently as vice president of Latin America and the Caribbean at Marchon Eyewear.

VSP Global appointed Earnie Franklin as chief technology officer and Alec Mahmood as chief financial officer. Franklin joins the company from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, with more than 20 years of experience in health care and technology. Mahmood has more than two decades of experience in healthcare finance in a variety of organizations, including his most recent role at Prime Therapeutics.

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Corinne McCormack, seasoned industry executive and creator of Corinne McCormack reading glasses, has launched Corinne McCormack Consulting, offering various services, including developing business strategies for growth, design and trend forecasting, product sourcing, and strategic marketing.

OptiSource International announces the acquisition of the eyeglass case division of New York Eye.

Paws N Claws Eyewear has entered the Canadian marketplace with help from new Marketing Director Brian Heap. A portion of the proceeds from Paws N Claws Eyewear Canada will benefit the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

RightEye, LLC’s vision system has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA cleared the RightEye system for recording, viewing, and analyzing eye movements in support of identifying visual tracking impairment in patients.

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The American Academy of Optometry announced Alexandra Benavente-Perez, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, as the 2019 Academy Career Development Award recipient.

An international group of more than 200 low vision professionals and researchers attended the 13th annual Envision Conference in August in Wichita, KS. The Envision Oculus Award was presented to Gary Asano, O.D., FAAO, a full-time staff optometrist focusing on low vision rehabilitation at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. The Award in Low Vision Research was given to Walter Wittich, PhD, FAAO, CLVT, an assistant professor at the School of Optometry, Université de Montréal.

Angela Harar, senior director of shows for The Vision Council, and Christine Flanagan, vice president of operations for Reed Exhibitions, were honored by two event industry publications. Harar was named to the BizBash inaugural list of the “Top 500 People in Events” and Flanagan was named to Trade Show Executive’s inaugural “Women to Watch.”

Kristan Gross, global executive director of The Vision Impact Institute, was recognized as the 2018 Mentor of the Year by Women of Visionary Influence (WOVI). WOVI is a Dallas-based organization that recognizes women for making a difference in the lives of other women through mentoring.

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L’Amy America once again launches its holiday charity program to provide eyewear to those in need. For every pair of L’Amy America branded frames bought by the end consumer through Dec. 31, one pair will be donated to a person in need.

National Vision has opened its 2018-2019 grant program for submissions, asking third- and fourth-year optometry students to explain how they will play a role in combating a national or regional public health issue as a doctor of optometry for a chance to win a $5,000 grant. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31, 2019. For more information: nationalvision.com .

Nonprofit organization RestoringVision celebrated its 15-year anniversary in October. Via its network of nonprofit partners, corporate sponsors, individual donors, and supporters, the organization has brought the gift of sight to more than 12 million people.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Carol Alexander, O.D., has been appointed head of North America Vision Care Professional Relations for Johnson & Johnson Vision. In this role, Dr. Alexander will work to strengthen the relationship between Johnson & Johnson Vision and the optometric community in the U.S., with a focus on partnering with national optometric associations and organizations to advance eye health and patient care.

Prevent Blindness has named Glenn Ellisor, O.D., and Jim Greenwood, both of Vision Source, as its 2019 Persons of Vision Award recipients. The awards will be presented on March 21, 2019, at the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Dinner at the Edison Ballroom, New York City, in conjunction with Vision Expo East.

For these and other news stories, visit eyecarebusiness.com/news .

An Optimal Start

The opti Munich international trade show for optics & design presents the entire spectrum of optics at the Fairground Munich from Jan. 25-27, 2019, including a new lecture series, “Keen on Contact Lenses.” Occurring on all three days of the show, it will be translated into English. opti Munich will have six halls to offer an optimal start to the new year. For more information: opti.de/en/ .