People

Hector Lopez has joined A&A Optical as strategic account director, bringing experience in the eyewear industry from serving in key roles at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb, and, most recently, EssilorLuxottica. 

◄ ABB Optical has appointed Daniel Liberman as CEO. Liberman brings experience from senior management positions at WS Audiology and EssilorLuxottica. Concluding his five-year tenure as CEO, Tom Burke will serve as co-chairman of the ABB Optical Board of Directors. 

◄ Talia Bruno has been appointed vice president of key accounts at De Rigo Rem, a promotion that the company says is a recognition of Bruno’s performance, leadership, and dedication over the past five years.

Ella Gudwin has joined the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) Board of Directors. Currently serving as the CEO of VisionSpring and member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Gudwin brings more than two decades of experience as a global health strategist, having spearheaded initiatives that have resulted in corrected vision for more than 10 million people, according to IAPB. 

◄ L’Amy America has promoted Phaedra Chernoff to vice president of corporate accounts after more than five years with the company. 

Darren Rosenthal has been appointed as sales director for the Western U.S. at Schneider Optical Machines, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the optical industry from serving as head of commercial at Eyoto and as strategic account manager at Hoya.

The Vision Council (TVC) has announced a lineup of recent staff promotions and new hires: Rosie Gabriel will serve as governance and operations project manager, where she will support board, division, and committee operations. To his new role as strategic adviser, David Pierson brings more than 30 years of retail industry experience from leadership positions at companies including Refac Optical Group, Target, and Sears. Tori Hyndman joins TVC as senior communications manager, where she will develop strategic communications and marketing plans for TVC, its members, and events like Vision Expo East and West. Alysse Henkel has been promoted from senior director to vice president of research and insights, an expanded role that includes responsibility for establishing data management systems, communicating findings, and more. Korey Paul has been promoted from senior data analyst to research manager. 

VSP Vision has announced leadership updates: Scott Hopeck has been appointed to the new role of chief commercial officer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience from iHeartMedia, where he most recently served as division president. Visionworks chief product officer Jason Prodouz joins VSP Vision as president of enterprise supply chain operations. VSP Vision chief growth officer Michelle Skinner will lead the newly formed provider and industry solutions division as chief provider and industry solutions officer. Additionally, the company has appointed Matt Wickham, O.D., as chairperson of the VSP Vision Board of Directors for a two-year term; he formerly served as vice chairperson and as a member for the past seven years.

Business Updates

Founded in 1949, ClearVision Optical is celebrating its 75th anniversary with giveaways, contests, promos, games, and more on its social channels, including Tuesday Trivia, where participants will test their ClearVision knowledge for a chance to win $75 every Tuesday of 2024. 

Founded in 1954, Coburn Technologies is commemorating 70 years with special events and promotions, including a celebration at Vision Expo East, booth F2435. 

Following extensive negotiations, Hoya has settled its lawsuit with Shanghai Weixing Optical. Under the settlement, the China-based company issued a significant payment to obtain a license covering the sale of Shanghai Weixing Optical products with proprietary Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segment (D.I.M.S.) technology. The license will end after an agreed phaseout period, and Shanghai Weixing Optical products featuring D.I.M.S. technology will be withdrawn from the market.