Executive Management

Jay Binkowitz, President

Over the last 30 years Mr. Binkowitz has had extensive experience in retail operations, merchandising & marketing, manufacturing & distribution, technology development, national sales, and on site interactive consulting. With the development of GPN he has created a unique support company that can provide infrastructure and strengthen independent practitioners with new business management tools and processes.

Dr. Mark R. Stadlen Vice President & Director of Professional Relations

After earning his OD degree from the New England College of Optometry in 1981 Dr. Stadlen established an independent practice in a highly competitive metropolitan area. As the founder of American Eye Care, New York he has experienced the obstacles and rewards of a successful practice for over 25 years. Clearly understanding the challenges that all independents face, and the growing concern for the future, Dr. Stadlen co founded GPN. With his understanding of the current environment and great intuition he has identified sophisticated business analysis and implementation of business infrastructure as the critical components to independents success.

	Evan Kestenbaum, MBA Chief Information Officer
Evan received his MBA (based on unique curricula emphasizing the optical industry) from State University of New York at Binghamton in 2006.  He is co-founder and Chief Information Officer of GPN and Co-Owner of Optix Eyecare Center in New York. His education and ingenuity led to him joining and leading the development team of GPN’s extraordinary EDGE online technologies and data based services. Evan has honed his skills in a broad range of disciplines since joining GPN. His direct involvement with practices through out the nation has supported the development of corporate strategies and business philosophies for independents.  He is a regular contributor to Review Of Optometric Business and other professional journals.  He has recently joined the lecturing circuit and specializes in interactive based workshops for both Opticians and ODs.

The GPN Success Team

Director of Information Technology – Heidi Della Pesca

Director of Client Services - Susan Trimble, MBA

Susan received her MBA while working for an independent optometrist in North Carolina. Since joining the GPN Team in 2010, she has learned to expand her knowledge base into a variety of disciplines. She enjoys working with independents whether face-to-face or via technology, and finds satisfaction in seeing a client find an opportunity for growth. Susan enjoys teaching children's classes and coaching soccer in her local church. Susan is also preparing for the arrival of her first child!

Director of Project Management - Cheryl Moore

Cheryl has wide range of experience in eye care spanning 25 years.  She had been an optician, office manager, insurance biller and IT administrator.  She has also been involved in the development of a couple of practice management systems for the eye care industry. She is actively involved in her community as the Vice President of her Homeowners Association and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

Executive Assistant / Forensic Counselor - Barbara Smyth

Barbara’s work experience has been executive assistant to senior level executives for over 25 years in the service industry. She coordinates logistics for the entire GPN team, and is executive assistant to the president.  Barbara is a Forensic Study Specialist and enjoy helping doctors uncover their profitability.  She also has a bookkeeping background and is a certified pilates instructor and massage therapist.

GPN Senior Consultant and Director of VHR Advisor - Rebecca Johnson , CPOT, COT, COE

Rebecca Johnson is an enthusiastic and motivational ophthalmic staff trainer, a nationally recognized speaker, author and President of EyeTrain4You, Inc. She has been honored as a recipient of American Optometric Association Paraoptometric Special Service Award and Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical".   Rebecca is a columnist for Administrative Eyecare and Optometric Management. Her passion is working with doctors and staff across the United States and Canada to provide effective and efficient patient care. When she is not traveling, Rebecca enjoys time at home in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, Gary, Duke the Wonder Dog and five grandchildren.

Senior EDGE Consultant - Jackie O' Keefe

Jackie O'Keefe, ABOC is licensed in Virginia and has been practicing Opticianry since 1981. Jackie is a contributing writer for Vision Care Product News, on Essilor of America’s Speakers Bureau and consults in the Virginia Beach, VA area. She has written, published and presented numerous courses and lectures on a variety of optical topics. She has been active in the International Association of Lions Clubs, a volunteer for Maine's Prevention of Blindness Programs, Inc. and is on the speakers' bureau for the Suicide Prevention Awareness & Resource Council. Jackie is First Vice President of the Opticians Association of Virginia and a founding member and Past President of the Opticians Association of Maine. She enjoys the fresh perspective from the Optometric environment and how The EDGE can help our clients regain perspective. She rides a motorcycle, teaches line dancing is married and lives in Virginia. Her Mom and two sisters are in the Optical Field as well.

Virtual EDGE Specialst  - Carrie Rogers

Carrie is from Greenup, KY. She studies Speech Pathology at Marshall University. She enjoys teaching children's classes at church and love to craft in her free time. She loves her job with GPN because it gives me an opportunity to meet people from all over the United States in the convenience of my own house.

Nicole Pine - Client Services Coordinator

Nicole lives in Huntington, WV with her husband and 2 children. She graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare and she is a huge Marshall fan! She was raised in South Mississippi.

Senior EDGE Consultant - Jill Luebbert

Jill has been involved in paraoptometry for over 20 years.  She is a full-time practicing paraoptometric.  Jill is an AOA certified paraoptometric technician and ABO certified optician.  She has served in the Nebraska Paraoptometric Section through the board positions, the AOA Paraoptometric Section, serving through the Council positions including as chair, several state and national committees including the InfantSEE Committee.  She served as Section Editor of Optometry – Journal of the American Optometric Association, and is a regular contributor to Vision Care Product News and Optometry Times.  Jill speaks at state, regional and national meetings and is a member of Transitions ProForum and the Essilor Speakers Bureau.  Jill is also an independent ophthalmic trainer and instructor.

After a lifetime of farming and raising livestock, Jill still enjoys hours in the garden.  She and her husband, Nick, have a large vegetable and flower garden.  Of course, time with their kids and grandchildren are always the highlight of her days.

 

Lauren Liberatore - In Office Management Administrative Assistant

 

Lauren has studied Business and Motorsports Management at Gaston College in Dallas, NC and Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC.  Apart from holding administrative jobs, she has interned for prominent companies such as The NASCAR Foundation and The American Heart Association. She is often found singing at special events with the choir from her church as well as attending races and car shows. Lauren lives in Rock Hill, SC with her fiancé, Chris and is planning a December 2013 wedding.

Professional Advisors 

Dr. Scot Morris, FAAO, Colorado

Dr. Neil Gailmard,  Indiana

Dr. Kim Castleberry, Texas

Dr. Lorie Lippiatt, Ohio

Dr. Ryan Wineinger, Kansas

Dr. John Scibal, North Carolina

Dr. Gary Morgan, Arizona

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum, New York

Mr. Michael Della Pesca