VSP Vision Care

Jim McGrann

VSP Global has named Jim McGrann president of VSP Vision Care, effective Jan. 1, 2012. He succeeds Gary Brooks, who is retiring after 33 years with the company.  McGrann most recently served as VSP Global’s chief technology officer (CTO) and CEO for Eyefinity. He will continue as VSP Global CTO, leading the completion of key projects for the enterprise. McGrann joined VSP Global in 2008 from Marchon Eyewear, where he had been senior vice president and chief information officer.

Alain Mikli

Antonio Bortuzzo

Alain Mikli International has announced that Antonio Bortuzzo has been named chief executive officer for international operations, replacing Dominique Alba. Bortuzzo will manage the group for growth and market leadership capitalizing on the company’s philosophy and its strong brand identity. During his two-year tenure, former CEO Dominique Alba was responsible for creating the financial structure and strategic plan fueling the company’s growth and expansion in key markets.

Orange 21

Michael Marckx

Orange 21 Inc., maker of the SPY Optic, O'Neil, Margaritaville and Melodies by MJB eyewear brands, has announced that Carol Montgomery, the company’s current CEO, will join the company's board of directors, to allow current president, Michael Marckx, to assume the additional role of CEO. In addition, Michael Angel will assume the roles of CFO, treasurer and secretary as an employee, having functioned in a consultant capacity as interim CFO and treasurer.

COLTS Laboratories

Kimberly Hutton

Kimberly Hutton has been promoted from executive vice president to president of COLTS Laboratories. Hutton takes over the position from her father, founder John Young, who has assumed the role of chief executive officer. Hutton has over 20 years in the ophthalmic industry and holds a degree in accounting. Over the past 14 years at COLTS, she has held various positions in accounting, human resources, advertising, customer service and business planning.

Hilco

Mike Franz

Hilco has announced that Mike Franz has joined the company as director of product marketing for Rx industrial safety eyewear. Previously, Mike was a senior marketing manager at Honeywell Safety Products, where he managed the Uvex/Titmus Rx safety frames line. Mike is a 40-plus year veteran of the optical industry, with extensive experience in Rx industrial safety eyewear, the announcement noted.

Super Systems Optical

Mark Bordicks

Super Systems Optical Technologies will now utilize social media networking to reach out to clients and provide them with stronger customer support. In order to accomplish this task, they have hired Mark Bordicks as a Public Relations and Marketing Associate. Bordicks is a recent graduate from the University of Cincinnati, holding a BFA in Electronic Media and is currently a Graduate Student pursuing a Masters degree in Communication at Northern Kentucky University. He has prior experience in designing and implementing B2B social media strategies.

Essilor
At its meeting on Nov. 24, the board of directors of Essilor International appointed Hubert Sagnieres as chairman and chief executive officer beginning Jan. 2, 2012. Xavier Fontanet, the current chairman, will remain a member of the board of directors. At Essilor’s May 5, 2011 annual shareholder's meeting, Fontanet indicated that he thought it was the appropriate time to return to Essilor's traditional mode of governance by regrouping the functions of chairman and CEO.


Will Be Missed… Jean Villavecchia

Jean Villavecchia, president of Alfred J. Villavecchia Corp., 85, passed away in October after a short illness. Villavecchia was the mother of Diane Villavecchia Meehan and Al Villavecchia, Jr., who now manage the Villavecchia Group, one of the country’s oldest buying groups. Jean worked closely with Alfred over the years as they owned and operated their optical and jewelry business, A. Villavecchia & Sons, in Union City, NJ, and as they established and grew the Alfred J. Villavecchia Buying Group beginning in 1980. Jean had been president of the group since Alfred’s death in 2004.