Adlens

Michael Ferrara

Adlens, the UK based optical manufacturer and developer of self-adjustable eyeglasses, has appointed Michael Ferrara to the new post of executive chairman. Ferrara will be responsible for leading the Adlens group of companies into a new phase of growth, coinciding with the first commercial market launch of Adlens’ products in Japan this spring. Formerly chairman of VICA, now known as The Vision Council, Ferrara was a highly-visible executive in the optical industry and was CEO of Marine Optical Ltd., a CitiCorp Venture Capital equity company.

Bausch + Lomb

Sheila A. Hopkins

Bausch + Lomb has named Sheila A. Hopkins global president of the company's vision care business. Additionally, B+L said that two of the company's senior executives, Peter Valenti III and Steven Robins, have assumed new roles within the organization. Hopkins will oversee the company's contact lens and lens care product offerings, which include such brands as Biotrue, PureVision and renu. Valenti will lead North American vision care as president and Robins has been named VP and chief marketing officer, global vision care.

Safilo Group

Nicola Giorgi

Safilo Group has appointed Nicola Giorgi as the new global head of house brands, reporting directly to Roberto Vedovotto, CEO of Safilo Group. Giorgi joins Safilo from Tod’s Group where he was general manager of Hogan, heading the brand’s international expansion. Prior to that he was in the automotive industry, most recently as general manger of the Mini brand for the BMW Group.

1-800 CONTACTS

Joel Sodano

1-800 CONTACTS announced that Joel Sodano will fill a new senior management position as vice president of merchandising in its Glasses.com division. As vice president of merchandising, Sodano will lead the company's efforts to develop new eyeglass and sunglass assortments while targeting online consumers. Prior to joining Glasses.com, Joel spent 18 years at Luxottica Retail, most recently as the senior vice president of product development, planning and selection.

Prima Eye Group

Neil Gailmard

Jerry Hayes, OD, CEO and founder of Prima Eye Group has announced that Neil Gailmard, OD, MBA, FAAO has joined the company as a founding partner and will serve as president and COO of the group, a new alliance for optometrists in private practice. Gailmard is the founder and CEO of Gailmard Eye Center, Munster, Ind., one of the largest eyecare practices in the U.S. An active management consultant, Gailmard is now moving his advisory services into Prima Eye Group.

Coastal Contacts

Aaron Magness

Coastal Contacts Inc. the online retailer of eyeglasses and contact lenses, has named Aaron Magness vice president, marketing, USA. Magness brings more than 10 years of senior marketing, brand and business development experience from Zappos.com and Williams-Sonoma. Most recently, Magness held the position of senior director of brand marketing and business development at Zappos.com, the largest online retailer of footwear in the United States.

Advantica
Advantica has appointed Robert Elsas as vice president of marketing. In this new role, Elsas will direct marketing and brand strategies, in addition to managing social media initiatives for Advantica's vision and dental business. Prior to joining Advantica, he was with Davis Vision for over 13 years as vice president of business development and public relations..Most recently, Elsas served in the capacity of director, sales and marketing for Classic Laboratories in Youngstown, Ohio. 


OWA
Ann Englert has been named to fill the two-year term as the OWA's next president. A member of the association for more than a decade, she brings numerous years of OWA board experience to her new role, including her service as communications committee chair. Englert owns Solutions, a Miami-based consulting company which provides management resource services and specializes in evaluation of sales efficiencies, development of sales tools, collection rollouts, recruiting and training. 


Eyewear by ROI 
Eyewear by ROI has announced the appointment of Katie Loughran to creative director, where she will be responsible for designing eyewear for the company’s portfolio of brands. Loughran has an extensive background in eyewear and sunwear design, working for many years at Viva International where she designed eyewear for licensed brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Gant and Skechers.