Hoya Names Brad Main Head of Training and Technical Resources
 
 Brad Main

LEWISVILLE, Texas—Hoya Vision Care, North America, has named Brad Main manager of training and technical resources. In this new role, Main will be responsible for designing, implementing and managing sales development and professional education programs in the U.S.

Main has more than 25 years experience  in the optical industry. He started his career with Hoya in 2001 as a territory sales manager. Most recently, he served as the Northeast regional training manager.

Main is ABO-certified and is a Fellow in the National Academy of Opticianry. He serves on the advisory board for the opticianry program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va.

Advanced Medical Optics COO Meier Named President as Well
SANTA ANA, Calif.—Richard (Randy) Meier, chief operating officer of Advanced Medical Optics (NYSE: EYE) has been named president of the company as well. Meier retains his COO title and responsibilities, which include leadership of the company’s eyecare and cataract/implant businesses, global customer services and manufacturing operations.

The title of president was previously held by James Mazzo, who remains Advanced Medical Optics’ chairman and chief executive officer.

Meier joined AMO in 2002 as corporate vice president and chief financial officer, then held various positions including executive vice president, operations, and president, eyecare business. In February, he was named COO and chief financial officer, a position he held until October, when Michael Lambert joined the company as CFO.

CEO, COO of U.K. Contact Lens Manufacturer UltraVision Take Back Firm’s Reins
LEIGHTON BUZZARD, U.K.—The two top executives of British contact lens manufacturer UltraVision--group chief executive officer J. Keith Lomas and group chief operating officer John Clamp--have taken back the helm of the company after Nick Loan stepped down following a 12-month stint as managing director.

Loan joined UltraVision in 2006 after more than 20 years with Bausch & Lomb; he “will now be seeking a fresh challenge within the optical industry,” according to an UltraVision announcement. Said Lomas, “Nick has achieved what we set out to do together with our new positioning and successful silicone hydrogel launch. His involvement freed up John Clamp, group COO, and me to grow our patented technology base and make strategic long-term third party partnerships, which we have achieved in the U.S., Japan, Australia and Europe.”

Younger Optics Adds Retail Lens Consultant to Southern States

 
Chris Gallagher 
TORRANCE, Calif.—Chris Gallagher has joined Younger Optics as a retail lens consultant to the Southern U.S. Based out of Birmingham, Ala., Gallagher will lend support to dispensaries in his home state as well as parts of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Arkansas.

As retail lens consultant, he will educate managers and staff on the variety of Younger products available to them and provide sales and point-of-purchase materials, particularly for Younger’s NuPolar, Drivewear and Trilogy product lines.

Gallagher brings more than 14 years experience and a detailed knowledge of the optical industry to the ECPs in his area. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, he has worked with both chain retail and independent optometrists as retail manager, lab manager and general manager.

Satisloh Taps U.S. Military for New Recruits
GERMANTOWN, Wis.—In an ongoing goal of regionalizing its field service, Satisloh recently added five new regional field service engineers (FSE): Artemio Manalang, Southeastern region; Chris Nofziger, Rick Merz, and Brian Magley, all in the Western region; and Brian Ober, Midwest region.

“Recruiting from the U.S. military gives us people who have a critical combination of skills--including technical, organizational, and a great desire to learn,” said Mike Olmsted, vice president of outside operations for Satisloh.

Olmsted noted that Satisloh’s transition from a centralized service model to a more regionalized field service force, which involves putting FSEs in population hubs, reduces travel time and cost of services. The closer proximity helps customers and field service engineers establish a rapport and increase efficiency for both the lab and the company, he added.

Base Curve Appoints Papineau National Sales Director

 
 Mike Papineau
SUN VALLEY, Calif.—Base Curve has announced the appointment of Mike Papineau to sales director of the Western Hemisphere.

“Mike’s strong knowledge of the high-end segment of the market combined with his valuable relationships will be instrumental in successfully building Base Curve’s brands,” said Steve Horowitz, executive vice president of Base Curve.

In his new position, Papineau will oversee the sales of both Carolina Herrera Eyewear and John Varvatos Eyewear in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Papineau’s 14 years in the eyewear industry has included work as an account executive and national sales director, managing the U.S. sales effort of several eyewear providers. Most recently he served as the national sales director for Alain Mikli.

Briot USA Names Hemphill National Accounts Manager
CUMMING, Ga.—John Hemphill has joined Briot USA in the role of national accounts manager. Hemphill will be responsible for continuing to grow Briot’s share in the optical retailer market. He will not only manage the needs of the chain store market in the area of customer support, he will focus on customizing the sales of finishing equipment to meet the requirements of various sized chains, according to Briot USA.

Hemphill brings more than 10 years of experience in the optical industry to Briot USA. Previously, he spent seven years as a territory sales manager for a finishing equipment company and several years in the wholesale lab market.

KBco Names Gaber as Mid-South Rep, Promotes Estes

 
 Scott Gaber
CENTENNIAL, Colo.—KBco has named Scott Gaber as its sales representative in the Mid-South region. In his new role, Gaber will represent the company’s line of polarized lens products in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana. An optical industry veteran of 13 years, Gaber started his company, Innovative Visual Products, in 2002.

“Scott’s experience, commitment to customers and product knowledge will allow him to make a strong contribution to KBco and our customers alike,” said Kurt Hollinger, KBco’s president. “We are pleased to have Scott representing us in the Mid-South.”

In a separate move, KBco recently promoted Deb Estes to customer service manager. Estes has been with KBco since 2005 and previously served as customer service supervisor. Estes began her optical career as a dispensing optician. She later worked at Walman Optical in various positions for 24 years before joining KBco.

Illinois College of Optometry Elects Board of Trustees
CHICAGO—The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) has elected its Board of Trustees members. The following professionals have been elected officers: Richard S. Kattouf, OD, DOS, chairman of the board, Kattouf Consulting Services, Bonita Springs, Fla.; Michael V. Favia, secretary, from the law firm of Michael V. Favia and Associates, Chicago; and Millicent Knight, OD, treasurer, owner of North Shore Eye Center, Evanston, Ill. Favia and Knight will be serving their second term in these positions.

Additionally, the following professionals have been re-elected for 3-year terms: Chuck Quattrochi, CPA, of Raymond James Financial Services, La Grange, Ill.; Donovan Crouch, OD, owner of Vision Care Associates Storm Lake, Iowa; Robert Grazian, OD, owner of Santee Vision Care Center Optometry, Santee, Calif. was elected alumni trustee; and Stephen Pugh, of Pugh, Jones, Johnson & Quandt, PC., Chicago, Ill. was elected as a public trustee.

“We have a large responsibility to uphold,” said Richard S. Kattouf, OD. “The ICO Board of Trustees has established itself as an extraordinary group dedicated to better serving ICO and surrounding groups and we hope to uphold this legacy.”

“I think we have assembled a leadership council that will continue to lead ICO in the right direction,” said Arol Augsburger, OD, ICO president.