Life Science Partner is pleased to announce the recruitment of Carl Spear, OD, MBA, to serve as Senior Vice President, Eyecare for Luxottica, the world’s largest eyeware company.
Luxottica is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of fashion, luxury, sports and performance eyewear. Of Luxottica’s 80,000 employees, more than 5,000 are US-based Doctors of Optometry providing patient care and business leadership at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, and Target Optical retail stores across the nation.
Luxottica is the world’s leading consumer eyecare group, with proprietary brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Alain Mikli and Arnette, as well as licensed brands including Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Dolce&Gabbana, Michael Kors, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., and Versace.
A merger is underway between Luxottica and Essilor, the world’s leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses.
Dr. Spear will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for the strategic recruitment, development, and retention of Luxottica’s optometrist community while maximizing the economic return of resources allocated among the Company’s retail brands.
Previously, Spear served as Senior Director, Professional Services for Vision Group Holdings, where he recruited and managed the contracting of ophthalmologists and optometrists to staff their 75 refractory and cataract surgery centers. In parallel, he held a consulting role overseeing the professional affairs strategy for Alcon, the eyecare subsidiary of Novartis.
Before joining industry, Spear spent more than 20 years in private optometry practice. He also served in the United States Air Force as Company Commander for a special operations team in Iraq.
“Carl brings the clinical and industry insights to help Luxottica shape how consumer Eyecare is delivered in the years to come,” said Tom Callway, MD, MBA, President of Life Science Partner. “His tremendous network and deep experience in the space will serve him well as he develops strategies to ensure Luxottica attracts and retains best-in-class clinical talent during this critical period for the company.”
Spear earned his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama School of Optometry with a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease from Northeastern State University College of Optometry. He also earned an MBA from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Western Kentucky University.
About Life Science Partner Executive Search
Life Science Partner is a specialized executive search firm that recruits transformational leaders for healthcare and life sciences companies. Our high-touch, partner-led process ensures an exceptional level of service, while our backgrounds as physicians and industry executives enable us to efficiently deliver the brightest candidates in the medical device, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and healthcare technology fields.