MEET THE TEAM

The Opticians Association of Alaska is led by a dedicated team of professionals committed to advancing the field of opticianry and supporting our members. Our team brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to our mission.

Paul Holman

President
Wasilla

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Paul Holman LDO, ABOC, NCLEC, FNAO

​I am very privileged and honored to serve as your OAAK President since 2022. I am currently employed as the Education Coordinator for the ABO-NCLE and have resided in Wasilla, Alaska since 1997, serving in this field since 2005. I feel an extra special thanks to the OAAK members who have asked an ABO-NCLE staff member to represent your Opticianry association. I have a great passion for our occupation and want Opticianry in Alaska and in the US to continue to grow through partnership into the future. We are all stronger together and thank you to my fellow board members and members of the OAAK in steering our association into the future through representation and education.

Rachel Atkins​

Vice President
​Anchorage

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​Rachel Atkins was born and raised in Alaska. She spent her summers with family in the Prince William sound. Her entire professional career has been engulfed in customer service and personal care. She started in the hospitality industry in high school. She began patient care as a CNA in the early 90’s, while continuing her position in hospitality. 1995 she decided to move from hospitality management and patient care to cosmetology. After gaining her licensure as an esthetician and hairdresser with the state of Alaska, she opened a salon and spent over 25 years caring for and supporting the needs of her clients. In 2023 she began her apprenticeship as a dispensing optician in Alaska. Working in a busy office with Opticians seasoned with over 40 years of experience, knowledge, and skills. It became immediately obvious that this would be the career of a lifetime. She received her ABOC and LDO in 2025.  Opticianry is the perfect balance of medical necessity, personal care, and fashion. Rachel is currently serving her heritage in the Alaska native community as a traveling LDO to Anchorage, Kenai, and the southwest communities along the Aleutian chain. She is passionate about education and thorough training for Opticians and apprentices in her clinic and looking forward to years of service in the industry. In her personal time, she enjoys her three amazing children and husband of over twenty years. Some of the current projects that occupy her time are building a family lake house, restoring classic muscle cars, watercolor and crochet. She also tries to fit in as much time as possible riding her 1976 Harley Davidson she built and restored with her husband and late father.

Marcia Smith

Secretary
​North Pole

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Marcia Smith began her optical career in 2007 in Valdosta, Georgia.  She quickly became an optical nerd, and the opportunity to volunteer on the OAAK board has become one of her very favorite things to do!  Had she not married a military man, she would have gotten a communications degree and become a copy editor, so the position of secretary suits her very well.  She enjoys designing and creating all sorts of printed materials, and having the opportunity to help plan for and execute the annual OAAK convention was a dream come true!

Marcia lives and works in North Pole and will celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary this year.  She and her husband have two children and a small zoo of pets, and love traveling and taking road trips as a family.  She considers herself lucky to get to work at North Pole Eyecare, a family owned single doctor private practice in the heart of North Pole, Alaska.

Sandi Acquistapace​

Treasurer
​North Pole

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My name is Sandi Acquistapace. I am the treasurer for the OAAK and have been
since 2017. I work in a private practice setting and have been a board certified
optician since 1988. I came to this wonderful state in 2002 and love everything
Alaska. It gives me great satisfaction to serve the diverse and talented opticians
of Alaska and help make the OAAK the strong and professional organization it
has become.

Aurora Morrison

Board Member
​Anchorage

                           SEE BIO

 As a born and raised Alaskan, I take great pride in serving my local community as an ABO-certified, state-licensed optician with over eight years of experience in the optical industry. I currently serve as General Manager at Dimond Vision, an Elevate company, where I focus on patient care, team development, and operational excellence.
​My passion for opticianry is deeply personal, influenced by my own experience with high myopia, which allows me to bring a strong sense of empathy and connection to the patients I serve. I am committed to continuous learning and bringing my best knowledge forward to support both my patients and the continued advancement of the profession.
I am proud to serve on the Opticians of Alaska Association Board.

Oscar Villasenor

Board Member
​Soldotna

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My name is Oscar, but I go by Oz. I've been making eyeglasses for a few years now in Soldotna, Alaska at Eyewear Express and am passionate about pursuing a lifelong career. I'm very interested in being a part of a growing association in Alaska.

Patricia Edwards

Board Member
​Anchorage

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I began my journey in the optical industry in 2022 and proudly stepped into my role as an optician in 2026. I'm passionate about helping people see clearly while providing a positive and personalized experience. I take pride in my growth, my work, and the connections I build along the way. I'm excited to see where this new adventure takes me and feel truly grateful and blessed for the opportunity to continue learning and evolving in a field I genuinely enjoy.
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