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FEATURE 14 march 2015 opticallabproducts.com Today's Young Optical Professionals BY CAROL GILHAWLEY Every year, Fortune magazine runs a 40 under 40 list which looks at the most influential people in business, technology, finance, and film. A reader suggested we do the same for our industry. Keep your eye on these 35 up-and-coming optical professionals under the age of 40! TRACY ADAMS, Director of Education, Walman Optical, age 32. Tracy has been in the industry for 14 years. She joined Walman Optical in 2008 as the Lens Marketing Manager, where she assisted in the launch of digital lens technologies. She now focuses on internal and external training for employees and opticians. She covers industry trends, needs, third-party plans, and hosts the Dispensing Academy for opticians. She also teaches the ABO Certifcation Preparation Exam in spring and fall. Tracy is in charge of creating and launching Walman's Learning Management System (LMS). Live internally since last month, this allows Walman's employees to access its online learning library for impor- tant updates. Later this year, Walman LMS will be available for opticians to assist them with ABO accreditation and in maintaining their licenses in rural areas. FELIPE ARROYAVE, Director of International Sales, X-Cel Specialty Con- tacts, a division of Walman, age 33. Felipe has been with Walman for 13 years. His responsibilities include managing all international business for the contact lens division, as well as traveling to generate sales for the division through wet labs, work- shops, and conferences. Felipe is working on expanding X-Cel Specialty Contacts around the world, focusing heavily on penetrat- ing the markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. DAN BAKER, Development Manager, CC Systems (an Ocuco company), age 38. Dan manages the implementation of Agile method- ologies to all Ocuco lab software development projects, including Innovations and Labzilla, as well as its remote and back-end systems. Dan started in the wholesale lab business in 1997 with Icarelabs ® . When he moved to CC Systems in 2007 to work in technical support, consulting, and installations, he had been employed in every aspect of the wholesale business. In 2009, he managed free-form product support for CC Systems and worked closely with Indizen Optical Technologies (IOT) to bring their product to market. From 2010 to 2012, Dan was responsible for the frst CC Systems project with Kaiser Permanente before going on to run all CC Systems' Lab Management System software development. MAUREEN BEDDIS, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Vision Council, age 38. Maureen is responsible for strengthening and maintaining the image of The Vision Council by overseeing its marketing, media relations, and advertising activities targeted to consumers, eyecare providers, and members. Previ- ously, Maureen was brand manager for Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc. where she promoted the company's products through marketing and PR initiatives. She also served as account manager for Tattar Cutler-DBC Public Relations. She holds a B.A. in journalism with a concentration in public relations from Temple University. PATRICK BROE, Business Devel- opment Manager, Ocuco Lab Division, age 34. Patrick has been in the optical business for almost 10 years. He globally promotes Ocuco's optical lab solutions through sales, installations, technical advice, and support. He is responsible for the UK and Asian lab market, and is a founding member of Ocuco's Asian Lab Division with an offce in Shang- hai. Patrick started in Ocuco before they had a lab division and accu- mulated retail systems' experience in pharmacy and optics. He began in technical support and installa- tions, then worked through to technical sales and business development; he now manages free-form products. Patrick also ran Ocuco's Free-Form Lens Design division (Innovations Digital) before Ocuco acquired CC Systems last year. He has now transferred his expertise to promoting IOT's products to Ocuco customers. BRANDON BUTLER, Free-Form Marketing and Operations Manager, HOYA Lens of America, age 37. Based at HOYA in Lewisville, TX, Brandon has been in the optical industry for 14 years. He has a strong passion for all aspects of the 35 40 UNDER UNDER