TRANSITIONS MAKES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP TEAM IN NORTH AMERICA
Executive Roles Expanded to Grow Partnerships, Drive Brand Awareness
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Nov. 3, 2008 – Transitions Optical, Inc. has created and expanded executive roles on its North American commercial leadership team to help drive current trade initiatives and partnerships, as well as provide new opportunities for the Transitions brand.

As part of the effort to grow partnership and advocacy initiatives, Connie Falvo, former sales director, Transitions, has been appointed to the newly created position of director, external affairs. In this role, Falvo will represent Transitions in public affairs, advocacy and managed vision care.
She will also lead the Official Marketing Partnership with the PGA TOUR and Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight on a global level, and will support relationships with industry associations.

“Transitions has always been an advocate of healthy sight, and through her work at Transitions, Connie has exemplified the spirit of our dedication to this important issue,” said Dave Cole, general manager, North America, Australia and New Zealand. “In appointing Connie to this new position, we will be able to strengthen and expand our partnerships with organizations who share our dedication to building healthy sight awareness and providing educational opportunities.”

In an effort to strengthen customer relationships, Brian Hauser, former director, lens manufacturers, will take on an expanded role of director, lens manufacturer and trade channel sales. In this new position, Hauser will focus on working with the sales team to meet customer goals and ensure that opportunities for synergies between groups are leveraged.
“Brian has demonstrated his ability to meet any challenge that has been presented to him and his team,” said Dave Cole. “As the optical industry changes and grows over time, he will be crucial to ensuring strategic alignment with our channel partners as we adjust our sales strategies to the changing market.”

Finally, Alex Louw, former director, national retail, will assume the new role of director, national retail and Canada. In this position, Louw’s responsibilities will be extended to include driving sales and strategic marketing initiatives across all channels in Canada.

“Alex has been instrumental in working with the retail team to create opportunities for the growth of Transitions® lenses,” said Cole. “We are confident that he will take advantage of this experience to help meet the challenges of his expanded role, and to foster the development of sales and marketing initiatives in Canada, further contributing to our success in that market.”

In addition to his existing retail team, Louw will work closely with Christine Underhill, business manager, Canada, and Isabelle Tremblay, marketing supervisor, Canada.