CHICAGO – Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, is pleased to announce that Richard L. Sanchez, CEO and president of Advantica EyeCare, has been appointed to the Prevent Blindness America Board of Directors. Sanchez was voted in at the 2008 Annual Board Meeting in Chicago on Nov. 14.
At the helm of Advantica EyeCare, Sanchez oversees the company’s network of over 16,000 eye care providers including optometrists, retail optical locations, ophthalmologists and eye care surgical facilities. Based in Clearwater, Fla., the company offers comprehensive eye care services to nearly 2 million members.
Before joining Advantica EyeCare, Sanchez was the executive vice president, secretary and director of Vision Twenty-One, Inc., a publicly traded eye care physician practice management company. Prior to joining Vision Twenty-One, he was with the Exxon Corporation for more than 18 years in various marketing, operating and executive positions.
"Mr. Sanchez has dedicated many years of public service, not only to our organization, but to other worthy causes as well," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. "Combining his passion for helping others along with his impressive business acumen, we are looking forward to the significant contributions he will make to our Board."
Since 2004, Sanchez has served on the board of directors of Prevent Blindness Florida, an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America. He has also served on the national organization’s development committee for two years. In addition, he serves on the board of directors for both the Tampa Bay Society as well as for the National Association of Vision Care Plans, is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, the managing director of Visibility Management Company and a managing partner of the Richard and Sharon Sanchez Family Foundation.
"Through my work with Prevent Blindness Florida, I am able to see first-hand what an important service it provides to our community," said Sanchez. "By working with Prevent Blindness America on the national level, I hope to help expand its base of support, including corporate sponsors, as well as assist in marketing initiatives to broaden the organization’s reach across the country."
Sanchez has a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from Florida State University with postgraduate work at Temple University. Sanchez and his wife Sharon currently reside in Florida where he enjoys golf, tennis, boating and travel.
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Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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