The Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council announced today the industry veterans who will be recognized during the Directors’ Choice Award and 15th Annual Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame banquet on Wednesday, September 17 in conjunction with the Optical Lab Division Meeting and International Vision Expo West.
The Division has named Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council, as the 2014 recipient of the Directors’ Choice Award. This award, established in 1987 under the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA), now the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council, honors individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the ophthalmic industry. Now in its twenty-eighth year, the award is still recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the industry.
“We are truly honored to recognize Ed Greene with this year’s Directors’ Choice Award,” said Virginia “Susie” Lesher, chair of the Optical Lab Division. “Ed has made incredible contributions to the industry throughout his career. He has always been a colleague worthy of respect and admiration, and has been instrumental in the success of not only The Vision Council, but many areas of the optical industry as well.
Greene will be recognized alongside this year’s Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame inductees.
“The Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the rich heritage of the optical lab industry and the individuals who have contributed to its success,” said Mike Daley, Optical Lab Division liaison. “It is my pleasure to announce the names of the individuals who have had a direct hand in helping to move our industry forward.”
2014 Optical Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees
§ Mike Brown, Practical Systems, Inc.
§ Larry Clarke, Satisloh North America, Inc.
§ Mike Dougher, Hoya Vision Care, North America
§ John Fried, A&R Optical Machines, Inc.
§ Frank Giammanco, First Vision Media Group, Inc.
§ Matt Iovaldi, Midland Optical Lab
§ Virginia “Susie” Lesher, Brondstater Optical America
§ Jerry Mansuy, Vision Craft
§ Jim Roussel, JL Roussel & Co.
Nominations for candidates for the Hall of Fame are submitted by members of The Vision Council. The selection of the individuals for the Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame is made by an anonymous committee of industry veterans. Consideration is given for contributions to the optical laboratory industry, Optical Lab Division or The Vision Council, the candidate’s individual accomplishments, personal character, reputation, and length of time active in the industry.
All members of the vision community are invited to attend the banquet, recognizing those who have contributed to the establishment of the wholesale optical industry. Tickets are free to members of The Vision Council, with RSVP. To learn more about the Optical Lab Division meeting and the Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame, or to reserve tickets for the banquet, visit www.thevisioncouncil.org/labmeeting.
