NEW YORK--The New York Children's Vision Coalition will present its 2005 Eyes of the Future Optical Industry Leadership Award to PPG/Transitions Optical's Richard C. Elias at the group's event here in March, prior to International Vision Expo.

The event this year will include a cocktail reception and dinner and will take place on Wednesday, March 9, at The Penn Club, 30 West 44th Street rom 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and short program and award ceremony.

 

Rick Elias

The New York Children's Vision Coalition chooses its honoree based on the person's leadership standing in the optical industry, his or her commitment to advancing children's vision programs and supporting the goals of the organization, according to Rosemary Clemens, Ph.D., executive director and chief executive officer.

She said, "Rick and Transitions have supported our public awareness programs, in particular, our Back to School Transit campaigns for the last two years, our golf outing as well as our past industry receptions.

Elias is vice president, optical products, of PPG Industries. In this role, he serves as president of Transitions Optical and is responsible for all of PPG's Optical Products strategic business units, including monomers and coatings, as well as other growth opportunities for the corporation.

Elias started his career with PPG in 1975 as a chemist at PPG's coatings and resins (C&R) facility in Allison Park, Pa. He progressed through a series of technical and commercial development positions in C&R followed by a position as a program manager in planning and development, where he was responsible for PPG's photochromic lens program.

Elias has been part of Transitions Optical since its inception, first as vice president, marketing and sales, from 1990 to 1995, and for the past decade as president.

Born in Gauyama, Puerto Rico, Elias earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of South Carolina, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate. Elias also holds a master's degree in business administration from Marquette University.

Beginning in February 2003, Elias served two years as chairman of the Vision Council of America (VCA), a nonprofit trade association for optical industry suppliers that promotes the eyecare and eyewear industry. He is also a member of the board for Prevent Blindness of Florida.

Ticket prices for the reception, 5-course dinner and silent auction start at the "Friend" level of $350, the "Sponsor" level of $500 and the "Patron" level of $600. In addition, there are event journal ad opportunities and underwriting packages that include ad placement, tickets and acknowledgements during program time.

Further information about the event, tickets or participation details are available from Clemens at 212/997-3550 or e-mail me at [email protected].