NEW YORK—The UJA-Federation of New York’s Optical Division will honor Jerry Hayes, OD, at a special cocktail event in New York on Thursday, April 10, during the weekend of Vision Expo East.

Hayes started Hayes Marketing in 1981 and founded the HMI Buying Group in 1983. He also founded Hayes Consulting, E-dr. and his latest venture, Red Tray. Known for his lectures and articles on the business side of private practice, Hayes is also the founder of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, Tenn.

Hayes, a graduate of SCO, opened his first office in Vicksburg, Miss. He recently finished an eight-year term on the board of trustees for the school, where he served as vice chairman. Active in his state association, Jerry served on the board of directors of the Mississippi Optometric Association and was chairman of the West Central Optometric Society for three years. He has been named to “Who's Who in the South” and was a state finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in Florida in 2000.

Currently, Hayes is active in the management of HMI Buying Group and Red Tray, and is a faculty member for the CibaVision/Essilor sponsored Management and Business Academy serving optometrists nationwide.

The UJA-Federation of New York’s optical division will host the event for Hayes at the Marriott Marquis Hotel’s Marquis Ballroom in New York City on April 10. Cocktails will start at 6:00 p.m.; the Program starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $225. For further information or to make reservations, please contact Steven Klein at (212) 836-1188 or [email protected].