Speakers

Professor Ed August

		Professor August is certified by The American Board of Opticianry, The National Contact Lens Examiners, the Opticians Association of America and is licensed in the states of New York and New Jersey. He has served as past President of the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, past Commissioner and Chairperson for the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, past Chairman of International Vision Expo as well as their Opticianry Board. Professor August also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Opticians Association of America, the American Board of Opticianry, The National Contact Lens Examiners Board and past Director of the educational Foundation of Ophthalmic Optics.
Professor August has written numerous papers and articles and has been published in many industry magazines and journals including Ophthalmology Times and Eyecare Business. In addition, Professor August is an international speaker and consultant on ophthalmic related areas. Professor August received an Associate Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from New York City Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the City University of New York, and a Masters of Business Administration from St. Johns University.

College Of Opticians Of British-Columbia (COBC)

www.cobc.ca

VISION
Professionals ensuring safe, quality vision care for all.

MISSION
Regulating qualified competent Licensed Opticians in the public interest.

CORE VALUES
1. Professional - ensuring registrants fulfil the standards of practice and code of ethics.
2. Innovative - constantly improving opticianry competencies and increasing technological advancements.
3. Safety - ensuring registrants deliver quality, safe vision care.
4. Integrity - honest, credible and trustworthy at all times.
5. Dedicated - passionately committed to vigilant regulation of vision care services.

STRATEGIC GOALS
1. Registration - improving the regulation of opticians in BC
2. Quality assurance - ensuring opticians meet practice standards and remain competent to practice
3. Public awareness - educate the public about what to expect from an optician
4. Stakeholder relations - develop relationships with stakeholders to help the College achieve its vision and mission
5. Operations management - ensure the College's statutory programs are effective at meeting program mandates and are running efficiently

Alain Lachambre

		Mr. Alain Lachambre has been the President of Audace Lunettes Inc., since 2006. Mr. Lachambre served as an Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Teckn-O-Laser from 1993/2005 and as a Director of Adsero Corp public organisation until February 4, 2005. Mr. Lachambre has been a board member in different public companies who operate in nutrition and hardware retail. He has also been involved in the computer office industry for over 20 years. His career started with Canon Canada as a District Sales Manager, then he joined IBM as Account Manager for the expansion of the market segment of mid-range computer systems. Mr. Lachambre's latest accomplishment was to develop a strong distribution in creator eyewear brand.
The focus being to offer a unique product and service that helps independent optical stores present their unique product line. Mr. Lachambre obtained a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the Université du Québec à Montréal in 1989.

Don Ross

		Don is an engaging and enthusiastic speaker who enjoys providing eye care professionals in Canada with the tools to create positive patient experiences. Don has presented keynote speeches, product seminars, and sessions for optometry buying groups, optician associations, national US optician and optometry groups, as well as at industry supplier events. Don has been in the optical industry for 25 years, working as a dispenser for a national optical retailer, a local optical chain, an independent optometrist, and a nationally recognized independent Optical Boutique. Don has an award-winning background as an account executive for two international frame manufacturers, and prior to his current role with Essilor, was the Western Canadian Territory Manager for Transitions Optical.
Don has a degree in communications, specializing in public relations, and has held various marketing communications roles with federal and provincial government agencies, as well as a technology provider to the hotel and car rental industry. Don’s passion is delivering presentations that assist eye care professionals in their work to provide Canadian patients with the best visual solutions. Don is currently a member of the Essilor Academy Canada team, working as a Training & Development Consultant – Western Provinces.

Charlie Saccarelli

Charlie Saccarelli is the owner and operator of Chadwick Optical, a unique wholesale laboratory in Pennsylvania. He's worked in every aspect of eyeglass manufacturing and dispensing since the late 1980's, and is currently working towards his Master Optician's Designation. Outside of optical, he has spent time as a computer programmer, a pizzeria owner, and a senior business analyst. And if you need him to, he can perform a wedding as well. Charlie brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective to opticianry and optical in general.