Essilor Makes Management, Organizational Changes in US

Essilor of America has announced a series of leadership and organizational changes.

The company says the moves “will focus on improving and innovating operations; expanding lab partnerships with ECPs; and increasing business with retail, managed care and consolidated ECP groups.”

The changes:

• Mike Atkinson joined Essilor in October 2016 as senior vice president, Industrial Operations. This is a new role designed to optimize the manufacturing and supply chain systems across Essilor’s entire North American footprint. Atkinson reports to Essilor of America President Eric Leonard, and is responsible for improving customer experience in terms of service, product quality and turn time; and developing and implementing new and innovative operational models. Atkinson came to Essilor from Abbott Laboratories, where, through progressive roles, he led Global Supply Chain, Sourcing, OEM and Third Party Distribution Centers for their $1.2 billion vision care business unit.
• Rick Gadd has been named president, Essilor Lab Group, and will focus on developing the company’s business with independent eyecare professionals (ECPs). Gadd joined Essilor in 2011 and most recently led the Retail and Managed Care, Integrated Independents, Safety, IDD, Classic Optical and KbCo groups. The Integrated Independents and Safety Teams will continue to report to him.
• Steve Nussbaumer has been named senior vice president and general manager, Key Accounts, and will be responsible for Retail, Managed Care and the Key Account Strategies and Solutions team, as well as consolidated regional ECP groups. Nussbaumer rejoined Essilor of America several years ago as president, Essilor Lab Group, after two years as country vice president, UK & Ireland, and one year as vice president, European Marketing. Nussbaumer initially joined Essilor of America in 2004 as marketing director for the Lab Group.

“As Essilor continues to grow and evolve, it is important to continue developing our employees to facilitate this growth, meet our business needs, and support our mission of improving lives by improving sight,” Leonard said. “These organizational moves will continue to reinforce our focus on the key business segments and provide new opportunities for our team as well.”