Joni Schon

DALLAS--Joni Schon, a 20-year veteran financial executive with Essilor of America, was named vice president of business growth for Essilor of America, and will lead a series of initiatives to accelerate growth in the next three to five years. 

In this role, Schon will seek out growth initiatives, pressure-test soundness and profitability, coach and mentor initiative leaders and oversee progress and communication, according to the company. Schon will report directly to Ted Gioia, executive vice president of business development.

"While we focus on operating profit and sales in 2005, we also begin to turn our attention towards growth beyond 2005," Gioia said. Schon previously served as vice president of finance, business analysis and planning. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has been with Essilor since 1984, when she joined Multi-Optics (later renamed Varilux) in Foster City, Calif.