(PRESS RELEASE) DULUTH, GA — National Vision Holdings, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Alex Wilkes as the Company’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2025, and he will join the Company’s Board at that time. Mr. Wilkes succeeds Reade Fahs who will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Fahs will continue to work closely with Mr. Wilkes, ensuring a smooth transition.
Alex Wilkes
“National Vision has been on a journey of significant transformation for the past few years, and today I am pleased to announce the next chapter in that transformation by passing the baton on to Alex Wilkes to become our next CEO,” commented Mr. Fahs. “The board and I brought Alex on last August with hopes of fresh perspectives, new approaches, and a smooth gradual transition to a next generation of National Vision leadership. Alex and his evolving new leadership team have made a measurable impact on our organization and are leading a new strategic approach that, as we shared on our last earnings call, looks like it will serve us well in the coming years. His proven optical track record, strategic mindset, and passion for our mission make him the ideal leader for this next phase of growth. I look forward to supporting the company in my new capacity as Executive Chair as we continue to position National Vision for long-term success.”
Reade Fahs
Mr. Wilkes said, “I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO for National Vision at such a pivotal time for the company. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the board for their support, and to Reade for his remarkable leadership and mentorship, which has transformed this company into the industry leader it is today. Looking ahead, I’m confident in our strategic direction and the world-class team we have in place. While maintaining the core values and strengths that have defined us, we’ll embrace new opportunities for growth. Given the talent and energy I’ve seen in our store and field teams, and the clear vision of our unified leadership, we are perfectly positioned to thrive in this next phase.”
Mr. Wilkes was appointed as president of National Vision in August of 2024. Previously, he served as President of the Americas at CooperVision, a global leader in contact lenses. Prior to CooperVision, Wilkes spent over a decade at EssilorLuxottica, a leading global eyewear company, in various roles including as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pearle Vision, where he was responsible for oversight of the brand.
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