Leybold Optics USA

George Kim

Leybold Optics GmbH has announced that George Kim has been appointed president of Leybold Optics USA, Inc. Effective immediately; Kim will oversee the sales and service operations for the Americas region (North and South America) for Leybold Optics. Kim is a 14-year veteran of Leybold Optics and has extensive technical expertise in vacuum technology and thin film coatings. Kim succeeds Antonio Requena who has been promoted to general manager of the global Optics Division for Leybold Optics GmbH.

VSP Vision Care

Cecil Swamidoss

VSP Vision Care announced that it has appointed Cecil Swamidoss as director of federal policy. Based in Washington, D.C., Swamidoss will help develop and implement VSP's Federal lobbying efforts to ensure the company's 55 million members will retain access to stand-alone vision care services under the new national healthcare reform legislation. Swamidoss has more than 10 years of Federal legislative experience, and most recently served as vice president of Dutko Worldwide.

REM Eyewear 

Christopher Allen

REM Eyewear has announced the launch of a new accessories division spearheaded by Christopher Allen. As director of sunwear & accessories for the new division, Allen will lead the building of a diversified sales channel for REM Eyewear outside of the optical arena and nurture the company’s already established relationships with national department stores and e-tailers. Allen comes to REM with international experience, most recently from Mirage Eyewear in Italy.

Julie Chi

The company also announced the promotion of Julie Chi to assistant designer within the Product Development division. Julie will drive the Lucky Brand Spectacles and Lucky Kid design, while still fulfilling her responsibilities as Product Development manager. She has spent the past two years at REM working closely with Mike Hundert and Creative Director Nicolas Roseillier, learning hands on the creation and development of eyewear.

Signature Eyewear

Jim Sepanek

Signature Eyewear has named Jim Sepanek vice president of business development. With nearly 20 years in the optical industry, Sepanek will apply his global experience to guide Signature’s growth strategy. He joined Signature in 2008 and had been their director of business development. Sepanek will continue to drive the men’s side of Signature’s brand portfolio focusing primarily on the expanded relationship with the Hartmarx Group and the launch of Hickey Freeman and Bobby Jones in the spring.

SoloHealth

Rick Voight

Rick Voight, former national sales manager of retail publishing at Hewlett-Packard, recently joined SoloHealth as vice president of channel development for the self-directed health care company. In his new position, Voight is responsible for market penetration and distribution of the company’s SoloHealth Station health kiosks, which include vision tests as well as blood pressure and body mass checks.

 Pro Fit Optix

Jonathan Schwartz

Jonathan Schwartz, a long-time optical industry veteran, recently joined Pro Fit Optix as vice president of manufacturing. His responsibilities include overseeing the building and operation of the company’s new free-form laboratory, scheduled to open in phases beginning in this year’s first quarter; the cutting and edging facility will open first, with free-form lens production to begin later in 2011. Schwartz most recently was director for the Ultimate Optical Laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Maui Jim

Linda Glassel

Maui Jim has appointed two new vice presidents; Linda Glassel has been named the vice president of marketing and John Sanchez has been named vice president of technical product development for Maui Jim Sunglasses. In her new role, Glassel will manage the strategic marketing and visual direction for the Maui Jim brand worldwide, and develop and execute a clearly defined marketing and communication strategy. Glassel previously oversaw the marketing efforts of Prince Sports in Bordentown, N.J. as the VP of global marketing.

John Sanchez

Sanchez will work to develop new products and introduce new technologies for the Maui Jim brand worldwide. For the past eight years, he has been the VP of strategic sourcing and engineering for Bushnell Outdoor Products. Prior to Bushnell, Sanchez was employed for four years by Serengeti Eyewear where he was VP of operations.

Kenmark Group

Steve Mount

The Kenmark Group honored its top Territory Managers for outstanding performances in 2010. Territory Manager of the Year was awarded to Steve Mount for his dedication to Kenmark and strong performance in sales throughout the year. Consistent Exceptional Performance was awarded to co-winners Pat Gantt and Carla White for their on-going dedication to Kenmark and strong performance in sales. The Pioneer Award was given to Loreen Armaolea for opening the most new accounts. The Rookie of the Year was awarded to Don Payiva for an outstanding first year at Kenmark.

Vistakon

Cristina Schnider

Vistakon has named Cristina M. Schnider, OD, MBA, FAAO, as senior director of Medical Affairs. She will be responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership for Medical Affairs in the area of specialty contact lens products. Schnider joined the company in 1999 as manager of Claims Substantiation and Product Assessment, Research & Development and was named Director of Professional Affairs in 2003. She recently returned to Vistakon from a three-year assignment in Tokyo, leading the Professional and Medical Affairs team.

Bausch + Lomb

Rick Heinick

Bausch + Lomb has named Rick Heinick as corporate vice president, Global Human Resources and Transformation. Heinick most recently served as a senior partner with Schaffer Consulting, where he advised executives on organizational transformation and people issues. A member of Schaffer’s leadership team, Mr. Heinick was an advisor to a number of multinational companies in the health care sector during his 15-year tenure with the firm, including Bausch + Lomb.

Silmo

Guy Charlot

Guy Charlot, president of the Silmo Association, has announced a new management structure under which a new position, president of the Silmo Paris Exhibition, will be created. While Charlot will maintain his role, the new position of President of Silmo Paris Exhibition will be Philippe Lafont. Charlot will remain active as president of the Silmo Association which runs the exhibition and his focus will be on a strategy to develop the exhibition and increase its international standing, promoting optics and the eyewear sector and training, via his role as chair of the Silmo Academy, which he will continue.