(PRESS RELEASE) ORLANDO – The American Academy of Optometry, an international professional association for optometrists, vision scientists and optometry students and residents, has announced that Peter Scott will assume the position of executive director in mid-April 2019.
The academy’s outgoing executive director, Lois Schoenbrun, will retire from her position at the end of April. Schoenbrun has been executive director of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation since 1996.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to introduce Peter Scott as our new executive director. Peter brings with him a wealth of ideas for our meeting, fundraising and strategic relationships. He is a delightful person who has boundless energy and a very creative mind,” stated Barbara Caffery, OD. “We are deeply appreciative of all that Lois Schoenbrun has done during her time with the Academy, and we wish her all the best as she heads off to her much-deserved retirement.”
Scott most recently served as the chief operating officer for the North American Veterinary Community in Orlando, FL, where he led the planning and implementation of one of the world’s top 15 global medical conferences, with over 17,800 attendees. He has extensive association experience in the areas of business development, program/certification development, strategic partnerships and revenue diversification. Scott holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and has earned both the Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) distinctions.
“I am excited to join this accomplished group of professionals, and I look forward to building upon the Academy’s past successes and working closely with the board of directors, staff and volunteers to positively impact this next chapter of the organization’s growth,” said Scott.
“I am grateful to have had the pleasure of working with so many talented and dedicated members and staff during my tenure, and I have full confidence that the Academy will continue to thrive under Mr. Scott’s leadership,” said Schoenbrun.
Peter Scott will officially begin his new role on April 11.