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The American Academy of Optometry has appointed Trish Shomion, CAE, as CEO. Most recently, Shomion was senior adviser with Global Management Partners LLC, where she served as the executive director of medical organizations like the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.

Linda Laube has joined sister companies BrillenEyes and Eyeporters as senior director of business strategies, bringing years of experience in the optical industry working for companies including Marchon Eyewear and Hilco Vision.

ClearVision Optical has formed a new leadership team comprising six executives who guided the company through the Covid-19 pandemic, launched new brands, and established themselves as leaders in innovation: Barbara Lax and Jennifer Trakhtenberg have been named co-chief operating officers; Jennifer Kearney and Theresa Sciarrone have been promoted to codirectors of sales operations; Seth Levenberg will push the development of tools to help the company grow through automation, artificial intelligence, and app development; and Steve Tripi will continue as head of marketing and creative services.

Following more than a decade with the company, Lara Marogna has been named group style and product development director of Marcolin, where she will oversee management of the company’s eyewear collections.

◄ With more than two decades of experience in the optical industry, Tom Brophy has joined Shamir as vice president of sales. Brophy founded Perfect Optics in 2006 and, after selling the company in 2011, held various roles, including lab director and regional vice president.

◄ Rose Harris has been appointed senior director of marketing for Transitions Optical North America. Being with the company since 1991, Harris has served in various sales and marketing roles, most recently serving as both senior associate director and director of channel marketing for North America.

Business Updates

Eyefinity and Optify have announced a partnership to enhance the Eyefinity Practice Management program, which allows practices to build optical orders on a tablet and send automated marketing messages before and after appointments.

The VSP Vision Premier Program has been renamed to VSP Premier Edge. Participating practices will receive the same benefits in addition to new offers: “Premier Edge Promise,” a guarantee to replace accidently broken or damaged glasses at no cost; “Premier Edge Perfect Pair Rebate,” a chance for up to $120 in savings when purchasing eligible eyewear at a Premier Edge practice; and “PremierMax,” exclusive product enhancements for Premier Edge practices.

Awards

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is accepting applications for its 2023 Residency Awards through June 1. Award opportunities provide incentives and financial support to residents who demonstrate commitment to practice, research, and education in various areas: the Douglas Hopkins Primary Care Eye Residency Award, the Alfred A. Rosenbloom Jr. Low Vision Residency Award, the Terrance N. Ingraham Pediatric Residency Award, the Sheldon Wechsler & George Mertz Contact Lens Residency Award, the Rhonda Robinson Contact Lens Residency Award, and the Stan Yamane Family Contact Lens Residency Award. For info: aaopt.org/awards-grants/resident-awards .

◄ For the inaugural Herbert Wertheim Award, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry honored its namesake, Herbert Wertheim, O.D., for his contributions to eye and vision health and addressing the social determinants of eye care.