ESSILOR OF AMERICA CREATES INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION DIVISION
NAMES BOB COLUCCI PRESIDENT

DALLAS - (September 22, 2004) – Essilor of America has created an independent distribution division (IDD) to help support the independent segment of the industry and has named Bob Colucci president, Independent Distribution Division. Colucci, a veteran sales management executive for Essilor of America, Inc. and current senior vice president of National Sales and Labs for Essilor Laboratories of America will assume the position, effective October 18. Colucci will report directly to Mike Daley, president, Essilor Lenses.

“Because of our commitment to independent distribution, we have created this division to help support the industry and continue our ophthalmic lens leadership among independent eye care providers. Bob is the best leader for this expanded role and can help us get to the next level,” said Mike Daley, president of Essilor Lenses. “This new stand alone channel within our US business signifies how important independent distribution is to Essilor, and Bob will do an excellent job.”

Colucci’s primary role will be to grow the anti-reflective and progressive lenses market by leveraging the strength of the independent distributors while helping them grow, using the best products within those categories – Crizal® Alizé™ and the Varilux® lens family of products.

“I am extremely excited to announce this new division of EOA, Independent Distribution Division, which is dedicated to the growth of the market, leveraging the very successful independent labs and retailers. After a few years of a sluggish market, the mission of the industry today and into the future should be sustained growth. Bob will bring his expertise of very successful growth initiatives, within ELOA and the Varilux sales force, to this new IDD division of EOA,” said Hubert Sagnieres, president of Essilor of America.

Reporting to Bob in his new role are Steve Mills, Director of Sales, Jim Blasco, Director of Integrated Retailers & Managed Care, Ben Collier, Sales Operations Manager and K.C. Haffey, Project Manager. Also reporting to Bob is Dave Cuffe, director of Technical Support. Rick Piper, director of Marketing Independent Labs continues in a dotted-line role dedicated to the Independent Distribution Division.

Andy Weir, VP Sales and General Manager – Independent Laboratories, is preparing to retire at the end of the year after more than 23 years in the optical industry. Weir will continue to work in a consultative role with Essilor, lending his expertise in a variety of customer areas.

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Varilux®, Airwear®, and Crizal® are registered trademarks of Essilor International, S.A.
Alizé™ is a trademark of Essilor International, S.A.