[bc]BENTON JOINS ZEISS AS MARKETING MANAGER[/bc]
CHESTER, Va., March 1, 2004 – Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. today announces the recent staff addition of Will Benton as marketing manager. In this role, Benton will be responsible for creating, developing and executing the marketing department's strategies and plans in pursuit of corporate sales objectives. In addition, he will manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the marketing team. This includes overseeing the marketing activities of the Zeiss Partner Lab and Certified Zeiss Vision Expert programs.

"We're excited to have Will on board because he brings a fresh new perspective to our marketing department," said Andy Huthoefer, vice president, marketing, Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. "His extensive marketing background will be helpful with the upcoming product launches at Vision Expo East."

Prior to joining Zeiss, Benton served as senior marketing analyst and strategist for Milliken & Company, LaGrange, Ga. In addition, he held a variety of other positions with the company including national account manager, divisional merchandising manager, department manager and quality improvement specialist/manufacturing manager.

Benton holds a bachelor's degree in biology from The Citadel, Charleston, S.C., and a master's degree in international business from Duke University, Durham, N.C. Originally from Manning, S.C., he currently resides in historic downtown Richmond.