KINGWOOD, Texas—Vision Source, LP, North America’s largest network of private practice optometrists, has added four executives to its management team as it adds its 1,800th office to its network, according to Glenn D. Ellisor, OD, president and CEO of Vision Source.

Kelly Kerksick, OD, has been named director of professional services. Kerksick is a practicing optometrist in Columbia, Ill. and member of the Vision Source network. A 2002 graduate of Southern College of Optometry, she has lectured nationally and internationally, and is editor of New OD. In her new role with Vision Source, Kerksick will work with optometry schools and new graduates to build awareness of the opportunities in private practice optometry.

Jason Morris, OD, has been named general manager of Vision Source Canada. A 1994 graduate from the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, Morris will spearhead Vision Source’s growth in Canada. Morris has been involved with Vision Source since joining the network in 2005. He currently practices in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Derrick Artis, OD, has been named Vision Source’s vice president of vendor relations. Artis comes to Vision Source after serving as director, professional affairs for Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Artis is a 1989 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Miami. A private practitioner for 11 years, Artis also served as director of professional services for For Eyes Optical. As Vision Source’s vice president of vendor relations, Artis will work with Vision Source vendors to develop strategic partnerships for the network’s members.

Hans Kell, OD, who has been a Vision Source network member, practicing in Louisville, Colo., has been named vice president of network administration. A 1990 graduate of the Southern California School of Optometry, Kell has served as Optometric Director for the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and practiced in Alaska, where he was named Optometrist of the Year in 1998. Kell will assist members of the Vision Source network in implementing product, technology and management systems in their individual offices.

“The addition of Drs. Kerksick, Morris, Artis and Kell effectively doubles the resources we have to support our network members” Ellisor said. “Their clinical and practice management skills are essential as Vision Source continues to grow in numbers and in services provided to our members.”

Coincidental with the announcement of its new executives, Vision Source also added its 1,800th member office in Krugerville, Texas, located north of Dallas, Texas. The office is owned by Coly Marsh, OD and Jeff Thomas, OD, who have another Vision Source practice in Frisco, Texas.

Founded in 1991, Vision Source provides its members with savings on the cost of goods, practice management support and a forum for sharing experiences and ideas. Each office is owned and operated by an independent doctor of optometry.