Nov. 5, 2021 — Prevent Blindness has announced that the 2022 Person of Vision Award will be presented to Rick Gadd, president of Essilor North America.
 
The Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award recognizes an individual, corporation, and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. Prevent Blindness shares that Gadd was selected as the recipient of the Person of Vision Award for his impactful leadership and dedication to providing quality eyecare products and services to the those across the country.
 
“Rick Gadd and Essilor North America continue to lead the way to help provide essential eyecare services and products that allow adults and children to achieve their true potential through healthy eyesight,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.  “We’re looking forward to celebrating these good works with other vision industry leaders in New York at the Person of Vision Award event!”
 
The event will take place on March 31, 2022, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City in conjunction with Vision Expo East. All proceeds will go to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness, shares the organization.
 
Gadd joined Essilor in 2011 as senior vice president of key accounts, a group he led until 2017 when he was named president of ECP sales and services. In 2018, he was named president of Essilor of America, and in 2020, named president of Essilor North America, which has supported Prevent Blindness for more than two decades. Gadd joined the board of the Essilor Vision Foundation in 2018 and has been a key force in providing access to clear vision through Kids Vision for Life and Changing Life through Lenses. Before joining Essilor, Gadd served as a senior leader at Motorola. He obtained his BBA from York University in Toronto.
 
EB has caught up with Gadd regarding Essilor’s initiatives on various occasions via Facebook Live.
 
“I’m honored to be presented with the 2022 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award, and I share it with all my colleagues at Essilor North America,” says Gadd. “We strive every day to make sure everyone receives the vision and eye care they deserve. It’s an honor to be part of a company and industry that makes such a positive difference in our communities across the country.”