01/26/2012 0 Comments

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.—Today at The Vision Council’s 2012 Executive Summit here, it was announced that the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) has officially become the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council.

Mike Francesconi, chair of the Optical Lab Division and president of the OLA's board of directors, stated, “The OLA Board of Directors came to the 2012 Executive Summit, partly because of the unique synergistic environment here, specifically to complete the merger with The Vision Council. We’ve accomplished that today, and I’m proud to announce the OLA has officially become the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council.” The two organizations signed a letter of intent in January 2010, followed by a letter of agreement in October 2010. Today's announcement made the merger official, as the chairs of both groups signed the agreement at the annual business meeting this morning.

“The merger is also a step that’s consistent with history," he continued. "Since the first lab organization began in 1894, there have been five separate mergers of organizations, in parallel with changes in the industry. Today’s merger is a continuation of that history, and a continuation of providing the best service and representation for optical labs.”

Jamie Shyer, chairman of The Vision Council's board of directors, added, "The Vision Council remains committed to ensuring there is a healthy optical marketplace for our members to thrive. This merger is just another measure we're taken in that regard, given that optical laboratories play such a critical role in our industry."

Francesconi continued, “It truly is a 'best of both worlds' scenario. Lab members will continue to receive the same products and programs that they know and love from OLA, while having access to the latest market data, benefiting from consumer outreach programs, training for their accounts and more. In addition, labs will now have a chance to influence, develop and direct new programs that will help labs, given the resources available to us through The Vision Council.”

Over the next few months, he said, "Lab members can expect to hear more from us about these new programs and services, in particular during our next annual member meeting, being held Sept. 5-8, 2012, in conjunction with Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.”

Mike Francesconi, Katz & Klein, and Jon Jacobs, Superior Optical will represent the Optical Lab Division on The Vision Council’s board of directors.

The OLA Board of Directors will become known as the Optical Lab Division Steering Committee, guiding all programs and services on behalf of the lab members. In addition to Francesconi, its members are:
• Virginia "Susie" Lesher, Brondstater Optical America, Vice Chair
• Jon Jacobs, Superior Optical Labs, Past Chair
• John Haigh, J & J Optical
• Drake McLean, Dietz-McLean Optical
• Chris Bowers, Walman Optical
• Swen Carlson, VSP Lab Columbus
• Ronald Cooke, Jr., Diversified Ophthalmics
• Bill Harding, LensTech Optical Laboratory
• David Jochims, Carl Zeiss Vision
• Keith Pulling, Essilor Labs of America
• Steve Swalgen, Santinelli International
• Adam Winkelman, Perfect Optics
• Rick Tinson, Hoya

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