ASSOCIATIONS

■ The American Optometric Foundation announced the nine recipients of the 2016 William C. Ezell Fellowship program, which recognizes and supports post-doctoral students pursuing an advanced degree in optometric research and education. For more information, visit aaopt.org/AOF. Additionally, the foundation announced its 2016 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care. Visit aaopt.org/AOF/Programs/Students/AwardofExcellence.

■ Mike Daley, CEO of The Vision Council, will retire this year. His tenure included positions of chairman of the board of directors and liaison to the lab division. An optical industry veteran, Mr. Daley retired in 2008 as the president and COO of Essilor’s Lens Division.

NOT-FOR-PROFITS

■ Envision, a Kansas-based not-for-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life of the blind and visually impaired, named Micaela Gobeille, a second-year student at the New England College of Optometry, the 2016 recipient of the Envision-Atwell award, which recognizes efforts in low-vision research. Visit envisionus.com.

COMPANY NEWS

■ The A Team, a sports vision organization, has celebrated its second anniversary.

■ Angel Alvarez, founder and CEO of ABB Optical Group, was among recipients of the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Florida. Additionally, the company begins accepting applications for ABB Cares on Aug. 1. Visit ABBconcise.com/ABBCares.

■ Bio-Tissue Inc. has revamped Cliradex.com. Additionally, the company has partnered with Alliant Healthcare Products to provide customer support within federal government facilities. Visit biotissue.com.

■ CooperVision has opened an energy efficient, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Costa Rica. The site will manufacture contact lenses, primarily the company’s clariti 1-day silicone hydrogel.

■ Essilor International S.A. was ranked No. 5 in Newsweek’s 2016 Top Green Companies in the World.

■ First Insight Corp. was honored by Elearning! Media Group as a Learning! 100 Award Winner, recognizing the company’s learning culture, innovation and organizational performance.

■ Chris Robinson has been appointed senior vice president of the optical channel for Marcolin USA Eyewear Corp. In addition, Tom Carberry has been appointed senior vice president of the company’s commercial operations.

■ Nicola Zotta has been appointed president of Marchon Eyewear. Prior to joining Marchon, Mr. Zotta worked at Safilo Group.

■ The FDA has accepted Nicox S.A.’s new drug application for AC-170, a novel proprietary, cetirizine eye drop formula for the treatment of ocular itching due to allergic conjunctivitis. The company expects a decision from the FDA by the end of 2016.

■ Dawna Owens has rejoined Topcon Medical Systems as national corporate sales manager.

■ Transitions Optical announced a new consumer outreach campaign with the help of influential lens wearers, including Allen Stone, musician, Coco & Breezy, fashion entrepreneurs and eyewear designers, and Tim Gunn, host of “Project Runway,” among others. Visit Transitions.com.

■ VSP Vision Care has launched VSP Simple Values, a discount program for products and services, such as prescription drugs, diabetic care supplies with home delivery and telehealth. Visit vsp.com.

■ The marketing agency Spyglass recently received a 2015 Platinum MarCom Award, presented for its work in creating a new master brand for Walman Optical. The award also recognized the work the agency did with all of Walman’s sub-brands. Visit walman.com.

PUBLIC SERVICE

■ Alcon partnered with actress Cheryl Ladd in “Know Your Cataract EYE-Q,” an education campaign challenging Americans to test their cataract knowledge, specifically in June, which is recognized as cataract awareness month by Prevent Blindness.

SCHOOLS

■ The Community College of Philadelphia and Salus University have partnered to offer an Ophthalmic Technician Proficiency Certificate Program to meet the anticipated high demand for this position in coming years, the schools say.

■ Pat Segu, O.D., of the University of Houston College of Optometry, received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the Vision Care Section of the American Public Health Association. OM