Transitions Optical announced a number of key executive changes following a PPG Industries statement that after nearly 40 years of service, including almost 24 with Transitions Optical, Richard C. Elias, senior vice president, optical and specialty materials, and chief executive officer, Transitions Optical, would be retiring, effective April 1, 2014.
The announcement also came on the heels of Essilor International’s report that it had finalized the acquisition of PPG Industries’ 51 per cent ownership stake in Transitions Optical.
Dave Cole, Transitions Optical president, has accepted the promotion to vice president for PPG’s packaging coatings business following nearly 24 years with Transitions Optical. Cole joined PPG in 1981 and held a variety of sales and marketing roles in the chemicals organization prior to joining the Transitions Optical organization. He participated in the start-up of Transitions Optical in 1990 as manager, sales and business development and later progressed through several positions of increasing responsibility before being named its chief operating officer in 2010. He was appointed president, Transitions Optical in 2011.
Paddy McDermott has been appointed president, Transitions Optical, effective immediately. He will report directly to Bertrand Roy, senior vice president, strategic partnerships, Essilor. McDermott originally joined Transitions Optical in 1993 and has previously held several key positions in the company’s EMEA region and globally. He was responsible for the start up of Transitions Optical’s Ireland facility and subsequently worked as director of operations and customer service for Europe, global supply chain director, and information technology leader globally. Subsequent positions included director, lenscaster sales, EMEA; director, operational excellence and global engineering; and his most recent role as global director, strategic initiatives.
Bertrand Roy, senior vice president, strategic partnerships, Essilor, will lead the Transitions Optical business for the Essilor Group. Roy has been with Essilor International for nearly 27 years and was instrumental in the foundation of the Transitions Optical joint venture. He has served Transitions Optical in many capacities including executive director and board member.
Congratulating Elias on his retirement and Cole on his promotion, Roy shared his appreciation saying, “For me, it has been both a professional and personal honour to work with Rick and Dave for nearly two decades. They are gentlemen of the highest caliber of integrity and professionalism. Their leadership has been integral to creating Transitions Optical’s unique culture and driving its continued strong performance since its inception. Their dedication has positioned Transitions Optical for continued success well into the future.”
