Founder Angel Alvarez will remain as chairman.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – ABB Optical Group announced the appointment of Thomas E. Burke III, a healthcare logistics leader with nearly 40 years of experience, to the role of CEO.
Burke will assume chief executive responsibilities from Angel Alvarez, who will remain as chairman. Brad Weinbrum will continue as president.
“We are thrilled to have Tom as part of the ABB OPTICAL team,” Alvarez said. “He brings the additional talent and leadership needed to harness the dynamic opportunities for growth and innovation that we have in front of us. Tom’s expertise and experience in building innovative customer solutions, developing cutting-edge warehouse and logistics networks, and leading dynamic and engaged teams will be an asset to our customers and all of our stakeholders. He represents a perfect cultural fit with our core values.”
Prior to joining ABB Optical, Burke was CEO of Massachusetts-based Medical Specialties Distributors, a supply chain solutions provider for the home infusion therapy, home medical equipment and oncology markets.
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Previously, Burke served as vice president/general manager of the specialty distribution division of Cardinal Health from 2012 to 2014 and then as senior vice president/general manager for Cardinal Health’s acute pharmaceutical distribution business and numerous solutions companies from 2014 to 2016. He was CEO and president of Miami-based Novis Pharmaceuticals, a start-up national distributor of therapeutic products, from 2007 until 2012, when it was acquired by Cardinal Health.
Burke’s career in healthcare logistics spans nearly four decades, beginning as a warehouse employee for Daly Hospital Supply in 1979 while attending Salem State University in Massachusetts. Daly Hospital Supply was later acquired by Cardinal Health, beginning Burke’s long tenure with the Fortune 500 company in advancing leadership roles.
“Since day one, I have been passionate about delivering best-in-class service to healthcare providers to better enable them to improve the lives of their patients,” Burke said. “I look forward to working closely with Angel, Brad and the entire ABB team to build upon the strong foundation that Angel has laid over the past 29 years. In this rapidly changing industry, we will continue to be at the forefront with innovative solutions and exceptional service. This is an amazing opportunity and I am happy to be here.”
Alvarez, founder of ABB Optical, will continue to guide the strategic vision of the company as chairman.
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During his 29 years as CEO, Alvarez grew ABB Optical from three staff members in a small warehouse room to more than 1,000 employees across eight facilities nationwide. The company generates more than $1 billion in revenue annually.
Founded in 1989, ABB Optical supplies nearly two-thirds of eyecare professionals across the country with brand-name contact lenses, specialty contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses and more. The company also provides business-building services for its customers such as pricing strategy tools, as well as performance dashboards through its Glimpse software division and practice management solutions through Primary Eyecare Network. ABB Optical’s Digital Eye Lab Network produces eyewear that is personalized to patients’ needs and lifestyles.
Thomas E. Burke III Angel Alvarez
