What a great way to start off a fantastic 2010 Vision Expo West in Las Vegas! On Wednesday October 6, the OWA continued the signature professional workshop series in a new format. The session was an interactive panel discussion featuring OWA members that are owners and executives in their particular business area. The program was moderated by Christie Walker, Editor of Labtalk Magazine and an OWA founding member.
Secrets of The Successful Optical Woman was impressive, inspiring, motivating and definitely an afternoon of engagement. While the five panelists were from all different arenas of our Optical community, the commonalities were endless.
Walking six miles a day with her two dogs, while taking CE credits, Dr. Lorie Lippiatt, president and founder of the Salem Eyecare Center in Ohio finds time to keep up on technology and prefers using Twitter to keep up with colleagues that can help her move forward. Dr. Lippiatt has served as a Professional Industry Consultant for Officemate Software the past seven years, specifically in the development of Electronic Medical Records. Dr. Lippiatt has authored numerous professional journal articles, and lectures nationally on the topic of Integrated Technology. Dr. Lippiatt also serves as a consultant for Marco. Her key secrets were maximizing time efficiencies and creating a memorable experience for customers that is different from that of the competition.
Corinne McCormack is the ultimate entrepreneur. It was interesting to hear how she set a plan and used the plan to accomplish her goals. Corinne is the founder of Corinne McCormack, Inc., now a subsidiary of FGX International. She is the company's first female vice president and fashion director. She's continues to live the secret of her successful career "Do what you love and be passionate about your life and career. Do everything as if it really matters and it all really does matter. You can't do it alone; every successful woman needs to have a team of people and learn to support and nurture that team."
 Mary Rose Jaszczynski and Alanna Martin, both of ClearVision
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 Lorinda Fraboni and panelist Rhonda Whitcomb, both of Walman Optical
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 Deb Lochli-McGrath, Altair / Marchon, and Liz Baidoo, VSP
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 Jean Sabre, OWA Director, and Erin Monda, Brainerd Eyecare Center
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Audrey Reed has a very colorful way of speaking and was a strong panelist. From the Military to Optical, she has forged forward in her career and is currently the Executive Director of the Essilor Vision Foundation and also Essilor's global coordinator for the Special Olympics. Her career path reads like her secret to success: "Don't be afraid to take risks, they can be exciting and so worth it. Look outside your current skill sets and believe you can do anything." Audrey is also an animal lover, owns horses and shows her German Shorthaired Pointers. Ms. Reed was a founding officer and board member of the OWA.
And the question is . . . "Wine or Edger's?" After a career marketing French and Italian wines and spirits, Barbara Wagner joined her family lab business, Santinelli International, now working alongside her father and brother. Barbara and her family committed to keeping work out of non-working time and she cites this secret: "When working in a family business, it's important to treat each other in a professional, emotionally-detached way. In other words, maintain a respectful supervisor-to-employee or colleague-to colleague relationship without invoking the more informal, personal side of your off-hours affiliation." Barbara heads the marketing department at Santinelli.
With 26 years in our Optical community, Rhonda Whitcomb is a wholesale optical lab manager for one of the Walman Optical's largest labs. Whitcomb was recognized by her peers in January of 2002 and awarded Walman's Inspiration & Spirit Award. In June of 2008, she was promoted to branch manager and has one of the most profitable labs in the Walman network. Her secret keeps her fresh in her career: "Never pass by a chance to learn something new. Work on facing tough challenges head-on and think of them as future opportunities".
To these successful women in optical — we enjoyed your enthusiasm for our Optical Industry and you sharing your wisdom. Christie Walker, a "Successful Woman in Optical" herself, did a marvelous job putting together this event and we look forward to the continuation of these educational and informative sessions.
A special thank you to Safilo USA, for providing our panelists with the coveted Armani gift packages.
Another successful woman in optical and industry veteran, Tiara is a Sales Consultant for Safilo USA in southern CA. She recently joined the OWA and happily volunteered to cover the POWW event for the Communications Committee.
Photo Credits: Photos courtesy OWA member Christie Walker, Jobson Optical
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