Bausch & Lomb

Gerald Ostrov has been named Bausch & Lomb chairman and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Ostrov was previously company group chairman, worldwide vision care, for Johnson & Johnson, where he led J&J's global vision care businesses from 1998 until his retirement in 2006. B&L's former chairman and CEO, Ronald Zarrella, will retire in March and serve as chairman emeritus, an announcement said.

Bausch & Lomb has also announced that J. Raymond Elliott and Richard F. Wallman have joined its board of directors. Elliott served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. from 2001 until his retirement in 2007. Wallman was senior vice president and chief financial officer of Honeywell International, Inc. from 1995 until his retirement in 2003.

Optical Distribution Corporation

Dave Delle Donne has been named chief executive officer of Optical Distribution Corporation. Delle Donne has previously held management positions at Carl Zeiss Vision, Eyefinity and Rodenstock North America. This news comes as Distribution Corporation (ODC) has finalized a long-term agreement for the exclusive distribution of the Rodenstock brand in the U.S. market. This move re-establishes Rodenstock's presence in the U.S. following the collapse in 2005 of a U.S manufacturing and distribution venture in which it had a significant stake.

FGX International

FGX International has appointed Richard W. Kornhauser to executive vice president and chief marketing officer and promoted Robert Grow to executive vice president of product development. Kornhauser was previously employed as vice president of marketing by Chattem, Inc. in Chattanooga, TN. Prior to Chattem, he held marketing positions at Combe Incorporated and Del Laboratories, Inc. and worked at the Ted Bates Advertising Agency in NYC. Robert Grow has worked for FGX International for 20 years, most recently as vice president of product development.

Younger Optics

Timothy Taft has been appointed Territory Manager of the southern states of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico by Younger Optics. Taft brings 15 years of experience in sales, and has spent the past five years in the optical industry. As Territory Manager, Tim will support Younger customers and assist in the education of industry professionals on the wide variety of Younger products available.

Match Eyewear

Stephen Fournier has been named Match Eyewear's Regional Sales Manager for the Western United States. Fournier has built a career in fashion eyewear sales spanning more than 17 years. Starting with Silhouette Optical in 1986 as a sales representative, Fournier was promoted to Product Specialist. In 2000, he joined Aspex Eyewear and was promoted to the position of Western Region District Manager.

Southern California College of Optometry

Kevin Alexander, OD, current president of the American Optometric Association, will take over as president of the Southern California College of Optometry, on July 1, the day after his term as AOA president ends. Alexander—currently dean of the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University—will succeed Lesley Wells, OD, MD, who is retiring after 11 years as SCCO head. Before taking on his current position in July 2000, Alexander practiced optometry in private and group settings and was on the faculty of the Ohio State University College of Optometry.

TLCVision

Larry Hohl has joined TLCVision as president, refractive centers, reporting to Jim Wachtman, the company's president and chief executive officer. In his new position Hohl will have responsibility for all of TLCVision's refractive centers' business functions, including sales, marketing, operations, clinical services and professional relations. Hohl has more than 30 years of experience with companies such as IBM, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Nike.

Jerry Hayes, OD to be Honored by UJA

The UJA-Federation of New York's Optical Division will honor Jerry Hayes, OD, at its upcoming annual 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. Hayes is also the founder of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, TN.

Vistakon Americas' Kelman Honored

The New York Children's Vision Coalition plans to honor Naomi Kelman, president, Vistakon Americas, at the group's annual optical industry gala in April. The New York Children's Vision Coalition's goal is to facilitate comprehensive eye care for all children in New York though awareness-building, advocacy and accessibility via the group's mobile vision van. The event honoring Kelman with the Optical Leadership Award will be held April 9 at The Harvard Club.

Signature Eyewear

Paul Cartwright has joined Signature Eyewear as Director of Marketing and Licensing. Cartwright has past experience working at Lucas Design International, American Eagle Outfitters and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. His previous licensing success includes LA-based jewelry company Lucas Design, Playboy, Rocawear and Disney Couture Jewelry.

Will be missed… Grace Rips
Grace “Bebe” Rips, co-founder of Younger Optics, passed away on February 20th. Bebe worked side by side everyday with her husband Irving, to build Younger Optics from an idea and a backyard garage, into a successful and innovative optical company employing nearly 1,000 people worldwide. She proudly raised and nurtured her three children (Ted, David and Debby) along with the company during her 57 years of marriage. Anyone wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers, should contact Hadassah Southern California (310) 276-0036, in Bebe Rips’ name.