01/10/2024

OAO President's Award

As president of the OAO, one of the duties I enjoy the most is presenting the annual OAO Presidents Award.  This presentation allows me to recognize individuals who go out of their way to help make the OAO the best we can be. This year was no exception.

At the recent Professional Development event in West Chester (Cincinnati), Ohio, I had the pleasure of recognizing Jim King of Europa Eyewear with the President's Award. This award reads, "In recognition of exemplary leadership commitment and dedication in advancing opticianry". Jim is a person who is always advocating for opticians, especially in terms of promoting state associations. OAO Executive Director, Shirley Earley, stated that it’s quite often that she will receive calls from opticians who tell her that if it wasn’t for Jim mentioning the event, they would have not signed up for it. He is literally an ambassador for the OAO. 

In accepting the award, Jim said, “Thank you for this award. I am so thankful to be associated with the Opticians Association of Ohio, which has so many dedicated people who donate their precious time to furthering education in optics throughout Ohio.”

Thank YOU, Jim!