VSP Global Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- VSP Global(SM), the industry leader in the delivery of eyecare and eyewear through innovative business solutions and quality vision products, today named Donald J. Ball Jr. as its chief financial officer. Ball will replace former vice president and CFO Patricia Cochran who recently retired after 31 years, and report to chief executive officer, Rob Lynch.

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Most recently, Ball was senior vice president and CFO of Raley's, a major grocery chain with 134 stores in California and Nevada, and previously spent 19 years at global home furnishings giant, IKEA.

As vice president and CFO of IKEA North America Services, Ball was the first American member of IKEA's senior management team. He led all aspects of financial processes through the company's explosive growth from $130 million to $2.8 billion in sales and profits. Among his achievements, Ball chaired the Global Steering Group for Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance and standards, served on the Global Financial Steering Committee, and implemented a new global accounting system resulting in increased transparency, lower costs and improved efficiencies.

"As an accomplished financial executive with 29 years of experience across retail, manufacturing and banking, Don's talents are a great asset to VSP Global's growth and sustainability," said Lynch. "His career is broad based with significant international exposure and he has provided leadership across all areas of strategic planning, operations, finance, accounting and administration."

Ball will report directly to Lynch and oversee all financial services, underwriting, corporate services and real estate transactions for VSP Global. Reporting to Ball is Les Passuello, who will assume the role of CFO of VSP® Vision Care, VSP Optics Group, and Eyefinity®/Officemate®, and Len LaSandra, who will continue as CFO of Marchon® Eyewear.

Born and raised on Long Island, Ball received a MBA at Pace University in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY and is a member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Sacramento and Northern California Board of Directors.

About VSP Global

VSP Global(SM) offers world-class products and services to eyecare professionals, employers, and more than 55 million members through a group of leading companies providing comprehensive eyecare coverage, access to cutting-edge frame styles and brands, design of custom interiors and merchandising systems, innovative e-commerce and practice management solutions, and technologically advanced lab services. With the strength and experience of these companies behind it, VSP Global stands apart and delivers benefits, services, products and solutions that are unparalleled in the world-wide optical industry.

SOURCE VSP Global