UOA Executive Director, Gwen Cooper, and VP Aarlan Aceto attended Optometry’s Meeting & 5th World Congress to explore new partnerships and elevate the voice of opticians on the national stage.​​

The conversations were meaningful—meetings with key partners solidified important relationships and set the groundwork for future collaboration. We’re especially excited about the ongoing discussions with Government Affairs teams.​

This event reminded us of the wide range of perspectives across opticianry and the importance of thoughtful, inclusive leadership. The UOA remains committed to leading with unity, purpose, and strategy. We’re energized and ready to continue the work.​

Thank you to our Board and to all who support this mission. Together, we’re shaping a better future for opticians across the nation.​

In Unity,​

The United Opticians Association

7/9/25-The UOA held its virtual Delegate meeting to vote in the 2025 Board and Officers. The individuals holding these voted on positions has been emailed to all current OAAK Members. Interested in seeing these results and other important Optical news? Please click on the Membership button today and become an OAAK member! The positions voted on were as follows:

-Membership Pillar 4 year term
-Education Pillar 4 year term
-Board of Directors-ABO Pillar 4 year term
-Board of Directors-NCLE Pillar 4 year term
-Board of Directors-NCLE 1 year term Pillar

UOA Officers:
-President
-Vice President
-Treasurer
-Secretary

Download the App TODAY! The OAAK will be moving forward in 2025 with scanning your digital wallet card for CE Events!!

The United Opticians Association recently visited PDS Optical, a major supplier supporting opticians who serve in VA hospitals across the country. 

UOA Director of Education Bob Alexander and Executive Director Gwen Cooper were treated to a behind-the-scenes lab tour to see firsthand how glasses are crafted for our nation’s veterans. We had the opportunity to have an in-depth walkthrough of the lab, the chance to ask meaningful questions, and gain valuable insights on how opticians serve our veterans. 

Our conversation with PDS Optical focused on how we can work together to support policy initiatives that uplift the profession of opticianry and advocate for the dedicated professionals serving in government healthcare systems. 

Together, we’re building a stronger, more recognized future for opticians through collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence. ​

Thank you, PDS Optical, for your hospitality and shared vision. 

ABO-NCLE Website has fresh new update and format 7/1/25!! Visit today to explore the new format! ​https://abo-ncle.org/

​Delegate Assembly Call for Nominations
Nominations due no later than 5PM EDT June 30, 2025
 
The United Opticians Association (UOA) supports, promotes and advances the profession of opticianry through education, credentialing, and advocacy.
Much of our success is credited to the outstanding guidance and assistance provided by the members of our board of directors, who advise the UOA on matters related to the promotion and advancement of opticianry. The UOA is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the UOA Board to fill upcoming vacancies for FY26 which begins on July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026.
The UOA Board is comprised of individuals representing member nonprofit optician State Societies whose members are actively involved in promoting opticianry, past and present formal educators as defined in the UOA Bylaws, the American Board of Opticianry (ABO), and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Members of the UOA Board meet in person at least annually and monthly via video. In addition, many board members participate in numerous committee meetings via video throughout the year. Board members are not compensated for their service.
​
Membership Board Representation
The UOA nominating committee requests input from the Membership to recommend individuals to fill one membership seat. This individual will be nominated to serve a four-year term. If the individual currently serving in the 1 year appointed membership seat is elected in this nominating cycle, they will serve a four-year term and will not be eligible to serve a second four-year term.
Individuals nominated to serve in the membership category must meet the following criteria:

• Serve as a past or present officer, and current member in good standing in a recognized nonprofit state association, OR,
• Are a member in good standing of the UOA by August 1, 2025 if they reside in a state that does not have a recognized nonprofit state association

American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Board Representation
The UOA Nominating Committee will accept nominations from the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) to fill one vacancy. This individual must not be a current ABO board member, must maintain ABO Certification for the duration of their UOA Board service, must be a member in good standing of UOA by August 1, 2025, and will be nominated to serve a four-year term.

 National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Board Representation
The UOA Nominating Committee will accept nominations from the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) to fill two vacancies. Individuals nominated to serve in the membership category must meet the following criteria:

• These individuals may not be current NCLE board members,
• Must maintain NCLE Certification for the duration of their UOA Board service, and
• Must be a member in good standing of UOA by August 1, 2025. 

One individual will be nominated to serve a four-year term and one will be nominated to fill a vacancy and will serve the second year of an initial two-year term. 

Formal Educators Board Representation
The UOA Nominating Committee will accept nominations from past or present formal educators to fill one vacancy. This individual will be nominated to serve a four-year term and must be a member in good standing of UOA by August 1, 2025,
To nominate yourself or someone else, complete and submit 
the nomination form found here,
and provide the resume or CV of the person being nominated.
Nominations must be received no later than 5PM EDT on June 30, 2025.

Please contact Gwen Cooper [email protected] or
Aarlan Aceto [email protected] with questions.

At the United Opticians Association (UOA), we proudly support the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) and their efforts to advance and empower women leaders in the optical industry.


The OWA is gathering feedback to better understand the needs of current and future members—and to explore new ways to serve the optical community. Whether you’re a member of the OWA or not, your voice matters.


If you have 2–3 minutes, we invite you to share your thoughts by clicking the link below.  Your input will help shape the future of an organization doing remarkable work to strengthen and diversify our industry.

Already completed the survey? Thank you for being part of the progress! 


Warm regards, 


The United Opticians Association

​Wow! What an Amazing UOA Leadership Conference!


I’m not sure everyone realizes just how successful our Inaugural UOA Leadership Conference truly was. Not only did it make history as the first-ever UOA Leadership Conference, but it also marked our first Delegate Assembly!


What began as a vision, born among a few of us dreaming about what could be, was finally brought to life. This past weekend, WE officially launched that vision when our membership collectively adopted our new UOA bylaws, giving us a collective roadmap towards growth and engagement for everyone in our industry.  Thank you to those who contributed to the thoughtful conversations to get us to this point! 


I would like to express my deepest thanks to:

• Shirley Earley and her outstanding UOA Leadership Conference committee, all the hard work made this event the success it was.
• Bob Reynolds, for guiding our first-ever UOA Delegate Assembly.
• Michael Vitale, for chairing the Bylaws Committee and helping to ensure the bylaws discussions and vote were conducted with clarity and care.
• All members of the Assembly, thank you for your questions, passion, and participation. You made it matter.
• The Opticians Association of Massachusetts for your inspiring resolutions, and to Mary Seguiti for chairing the Resolution Committee.
• Vendor partners, thank you for showing up and supporting this great event.

Stronger Together!
 
A special thank you to Gwen Cooper & Blair Wong for delivering the “The Power of OP!” keynote session. All I can say is “WOW!”, a truly inspiring session. Of course, we wouldn’t expect anything less from two great leaders.


To Gwen, thank you for joining our family and leadership team. You, alongside Bob Alexander and Johnna Little, have worked tirelessly and selflessly to carry forward the vision that began with just a few of us, with a lot of heart. The three of you made this inaugural UOA Leadership Conference in Louisville something truly unforgettable.


I’m already excited and looking forward to our 2nd Annual UOA Leadership Conference #UOAChicago2026 to see where the continued momentum will take our profession. 


Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as the first President of the United Opticians Association. It has truly been one of the great honors of my professional life. 
We truly are Stronger Together!


Thank you,
Ronnie Harbert, ABOC
President, United Opticians Association

Looking for additional ABO and NCLE credits in 2025?? Become a OAAK Member today under membership and send a message to www.oaakpresident.org for the link information for up to 4 FREE CEs on 6/3/25!! Join us on 6/3/25 for great education with the NAO/SECO!!