In Ohio’s recent fight to retain our licensure for Ohio opticians, it has often come up in discussions that many states surrounding Ohio are not licensed, so why should we be? The states mentioned were Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. This argument highlights the importance and strength of having as many licensed states as possible.

To that end, the Opticians Association of America (OAA), with an enthusiastic Membership Committee chairperson in Donna Hatch, is leading the charge to change the status quo. Donna and other members have been diligently working to get states across the nation to join forces and become more active by joining the OAA. The reason this is so crucial is that by having them as members of the OAA, we can begin to work towards certification, and eventually, licensure, which will make all states stronger.

In just the past year, the states of Pennsylvania, Nevada, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, Oregon, Illinois, and Minnesota have joined the OAO. These are amazing results and proof that the next generation of opticians are ready and eager to be recognized as the professionals they are. Ohioans been involved in this movement as well, acting as a mentoring resource for several states. Shirley Earley is mentoring in Missouri and myself in Pennsylvania.

While we don’t often consider the ramifications of what happens in other states, there is indeed a ripple effect that is far reaching. Do yourself a favor: If you have optician friends, regardless of what state they reside in, ask them if they belong to their state association. If they do, thank them for supporting opticianry. If they are not a member, encourage them to join. Doing so not only helps themselves, but other opticians nationwide. 

- John Bruening

I had the pleasure of interviewing Keenan Anderson, Apprentice Optician, about his experience at the 2024 OAA Leadership Conference in Fort Worth, TX. Working side-by-side with Keenan, seeing the impact the conference has had on his ambition and growth as a professional has been so rewarding as a mentor; passionate apprentices and students are the future of our industry and I cannot wait to see all he accomplishes.

Q: Keenan, how did you first get involved in the optical industry? 

A: Knowing I wanted to leave the retail sector, I honestly went onto indeed and started just throwing things at the wall to see what stuck. I came across an ad for a front desk position in an optical office and thought that’s something I would be able to do. I applied and got a call the same day. It was the fastest I’ve ever been hired! After starting at the front desk, I knew this was a field I could thrive in. I quickly became an apprentice optician, and everything fell into place from there.  

Q: What was your favorite part of leadership? 

A: Before leadership, I knew nothing about the wider world of opticianry. Being able to go somewhere where you’re on the same level playing field as these important leaders of the industry was so exciting. Even as an apprentice, you can just walk up to anyone and shake hands and ask them any question you want. I expected a very corporate, “you’re below me you wouldn’t understand”, but everyone was so incredibly helpful and willing to teach.  

Q: What did you learn at leadership that most affected your perception of the optical industry? 

A: The thing that surprised me most was the versatility and where you can take your licensure. Prior to leadership, I thought being a dispensing optician in an optical office was the only available tract. I couldn’t have been more wrong.  You can be a dispensing optician, frame rep, lab rep, educator, etc. There was a man there that did specifically eyewear for movies! I was blown away by the possibilities. 

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As president of the OAO, one of the duties I enjoy the most is presenting the annual OAO Presidents Award.  This presentation allows me to recognize individuals who go out of their way to help make the OAO the best we can be. This year was no exception.

At the recent Professional Development event in West Chester (Cincinnati), Ohio, I had the pleasure of recognizing Jim King of Europa Eyewear with the President's Award. This award reads, "In recognition of exemplary leadership commitment and dedication in advancing opticianry". Jim is a person who is always advocating for opticians, especially in terms of promoting state associations. OAO Executive Director, Shirley Earley, stated that it’s quite often that she will receive calls from opticians who tell her that if it wasn’t for Jim mentioning the event, they would have not signed up for it. He is literally an ambassador for the OAO. 

In accepting the award, Jim said, “Thank you for this award. I am so thankful to be associated with the Opticians Association of Ohio, which has so many dedicated people who donate their precious time to furthering education in optics throughout Ohio.”

Thank YOU, Jim!

The Ohio Apprentice Interactive Workshop is well into its second year of hands-on learning for emerging apprentice opticians.

With support from the Opticians Association of Ohio and many vendor partners, equipment such as lensometers, tools, and supplies have been acquired for the students to have a truly interactive learning experience.

The Workshop has added two additional opportunities for this summer that include onsite lab tours. All dates and locations are updated on the OAO’s website as they become available. Seating is limited so check be sure to visit OAO.org for registration details.

**Exciting news! Wallman Optical and the Opticians Association of Ohio will add lab tours to the Apprentice Workshop beginning in June!** Check out the upcoming events at oao.org. You won't want to miss this!

Find event details here! 

In the vibrant town of West Chester, Ohio, the Southwest Professional Development Event kicked off March 2-3 with a nostalgic twist. The event, designed to foster professional growth, knowledge, and networking, took attendees on a journey back in time to the 1950s.  As members arrived at the venue, they were greeted by lively scenes reminiscent of the era. OAO members were encouraged to dress in the 1950s fashion, with poodle skirts, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair aplenty. The poodle skirts, leather jackets, and pink ladies were a hit!

The event started with seasoned international speakers sharing their knowledge and wisdom from years of industry experience. The information inspired attendees and motivated them to advance their knowledge and expertise. OAO sends a huge THANK YOU to Michael Gzik, Professor Bob Russo, and John Zimmerman, whom Zeiss sponsored.

The Southwest didn’t stop there; we also held the Apprentice Workshop, led by educators Vice President Cindy Lohman and Trustee Diana Walter. This intimate all-day class was invaluable to apprentices. Thank you, Cindy and Diana, for sharing your passion for education.

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Watch the bubble gum contest here! 

I was honored, along with fellow Ohioans Shirley Earley, Tom Barracato,Tom Hicks, and Bob Alexander to be Opticians Association of America delegates, representing Ohio opticians as we took part in an historic vote to create a new national association for opticians. The vote which approved the merger of the OAA, the NFOS, and the ABO/NCLE had been in the works for more than two years, and will combine the resources of many organizations, into one, unified, association. OAA President, Ron Herbert stated, "With this merger, we have created a model for the future of opticianry that focuses on promoting the profession of spectacle and contact lens opticians, while also adopting the use of structured educational standards keeping vision care patients healthy and safe, through high-quality, properly trained opticians,”

The vote was unanimous, and took place at the 2024 Vision Expo East, in New York City.

-John Bruening

To read more about the merger, click here

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