GREEN BAY, WI — Shopko Optical announced that it continues the relocation of 80 optical centers into freestanding locations.
To date, Shopko Optical has opened 12 stand-alone locations, with an additional 12 locations slated to be relocated from their former Shopko store locations by early August.
The remainder of the store locations are scheduled to open throughout the summer and fall of 2019. Shopko Optical will base its headquarters in Green Bay and will employ 40 people on its corporate team.
In May, Monarch Alternative Capital LP announced the completion of its acquisition of Shopko Optical. Shopko was a retail chain that announced plans plans to wind down its operations.
Shopko Optical has also announced several appointments to its leadership team.
Jim Eisen, who is serving as interim CEO, is helping to lead the company through its transition. Eisen, whose role was officially announced earlier this year, was previously the president of Visionworks. Eisen is joined by Shopko Optical veterans, as well as some new additions to the leadership team.
Advertisement
Kirk Lauterback, a 25-year Shopko Optical veteran, has been named vice president of optical operations and will oversee merchandising, as well as the company’s retail optical centers, and its manufacturing facility in DePere, WI.
Dr. Thomas Bobka will continue to serve as director of optometry services. Bobka has been with Shopko Optical for over 20 years and will serve as the doctor liaison and support optometrist practice management.
“We are excited to bring together a strong group of individuals with a demonstrated track record of strategic leadership that supports the care of our patients, customers, and our teammates,” Eisen said.
Additions to the Shopko Optical leadership team are Donna Capichano who will serve as vice president of store development; Cindy Moen, who will serve as the vice president of human resources; and Cathleen Stewart, who will serve as vice president of marketing.
Capichano has 25 years of retail real estate development experience in both big-box and specialty retail and is transitioning to Shopko Optical from her former position with Shopko Stores Operating Co. Moen is also transitioning from Shopko, where she spent the past 12 years leading HR business teams in the stores and corporate office. Stewart joins the Shopko Optical team from Batteries Plus. She brings 15 years of experience developing and leading strategic marketing programs.
“We have worked to build an organization that serves our optical centers the way our doctors and opticians serve our patients and customers in our communities across the country: with clinical expertise, personal attention, quality and integrity. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Shopko Optical family,” said Eisen.
Advertisement
