Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, has named Tony Sommer head of sales for its U.S. Vision Care division.

Mr. Sommer will be responsible for managing the U.S. sales function for Bausch + Lomb’s Vision Care business. Through his leadership, Sommer will help plan, develop and execute growth plans, and strategic business strategies to maximize market opportunities and grow the lens product portfolio.

“Tony is a talented and transformative leader who has an impressive track record of driving results through promoting leadership, accountability, and collaboration, while intensely focusing on innovation,” said Mark McKenna, vice president and general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb “I am thrilled to have Tony join our team, and know he will bring tremendous results to our business and sales teams as we continue our mission in providing some of the most advanced eye care products to our customers and their patients.”

Mr. Sommer has nearly two decades of diverse experience in the packaged goods, healthcare and medical device industry where he’s served a variety of U.S. and international roles across a number of business divisions with leading companies including General Mills, Coca Cola, and CIBA Vision/Novartis.

Immediately before joining Bausch + Lomb, Mr. Sommer was head of sales, consumer healthcare, for Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in Atlanta, GA, where he was also responsible for sales operations and shopper marketing. Prior, Mr. Sommer was the vice president, sales and marketing at SoloHealth.

From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Sommer served in multiple roles with CIBA Vision, including brand marketing director and executive sales director, key accounts. As the brand marketing director, he grew the daily disposable contact lens business and launched several new products including DAILIES AquaComfort. After transitioning to sales management, Mr. Sommer led CIBA Vision’s key account sales team.

A decorated combat veteran, Mr. Sommer was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and continued to serve in increasing positions of responsibility during his tenure, which included service in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Working for a higher purpose is what drives many of us in health care, myself included,” said Mr Sommer. “Bausch + Lomb is an iconic brand with a proud history, a dynamic sales team and an innovative product portfolio that includes standout products like Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® and Biotrue® ONEday contact lenses. I’m very excited to be joining the company to help bring these innovations, and many of our future product innovations, to eye care practitioners and their patients to help make a difference in their lives by providing them with the best possible vision everyday.”

Mr. Sommer holds an MBA from Oklahoma City University and has a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the United States Air Force Academy.

He is based in Bausch + Lomb’s headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ.