Paul C. Ajamian, O.D. is Board Certified by the American Board of Optometry and is the co-founder and Director of Omni Eye Services of Atlanta, the nation’s first Optometric Comanagement Center. A graduate of the University of Vermont and the New England College of Optometry, he is the author of two textbooks and is the editor of Review of Optometry’s monthly column “Clinical Quandaries”. He is a past president of the Georgia Optometric Association, and as Legislative Chairman orchestrated the passage of Georgia’s glaucoma and oral medications bills.

He is a well-known continuing education speaker, and served as General Chairman of the Education Committee for SECO International from 2002 to 2025. He was appointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry by Governor Brian Kemp in June of 2021 where he serves as President.

In 2014 he was the recipient of the AOA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received Review of Optometry’s Career Achievement Award.

Rachel Buckner is a National Technical Training Manager with HOYA, responsible for developing training content, enhancing technical knowledge, and engaging with the chains channel. Previously as a Multi-Unit Retail Store Manager, she was drawn to the field with a sense of purpose and a love for continuous learning that the optical industry provided. She is certified as an LDO in North Carolina and a Level 2 Technical Speaker for ABO and NCLE. Passionate about educating others on optics, Rachel aims to continue growing and making an impact in the industry.

Steven Ferrucci OD, FAAO, is currently Chief of Optometry at the Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center and Nursing Home. He is also the Residency Director at his sight, and a Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry/Marshall B. Ketchum University. Dr. Ferrucci has lectured and published extensively, with a special interest in Diabetes, Diabetic Eye Disease, AMD, OCT and Fluorescein Angiography. He is a fellow in both the American Academy of Optometry and the Optometric Retinal Society, as well as Past President of the ORS and the founding chair of the Retina Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Optometry.

Michael Gatti is the Head of Global Learning & Sales Enablement at HOYA Vision Care.

He is an Arizona state licensed, ABO and NCLE certified optician, with over 20 years of experience in the vision care industry.

Known for his infectious energy and engaging storytelling, Michael has inspired audiences throughout North America. His presentations combine educational insight with motivational messaging, equipping eye care professionals, practice owners, and sales teams with the tools to elevate patient care and business performance.

Michael’s impact spans clinical, retail, and corporate environments. He helped double optical sales and won the Transitions Retailer of the Year award at Arizona’s largest ophthalmology practice. His work and perspective have been featured in Vision Monday and other trade publications, earning him a reputation as a sought-after voice in the industry.

Attendees walk away from Michael’s sessions with more than just knowledge. They leave energized, empowered, and ready to embrace change as the catalyst for growth. His unique ability to make complex optical topics digestible through dynamic storytelling, interaction, and real-world application sets him apart as a speaker who truly moves the room.

Bill Gerber is the Founder + CEO of Omg! Optical Marketing Group and Contentlinq. His companies focus on creating highly engaging optical spaces and extraordinary customer experiences. He is an award winning speaker, author, emcee, is drummer for the California pop, punk Band The Executives as well as POF’resident band, Doc + The Pupils. Bill's passion is elevating the eyecare experience through modern design and education.

He serves on the Vision Council’s Marketing Committee and is a strategic advisor to many of the most successful companies in our field. He’s an avid beach walker, skier, yogi, writer, design afficionado, philanthropist, entrepreneur, student of psychology/human behavior and according to some, is an international jet setter.

He is rumored to also be the voice of Crush from Finding Nemo and the heir to the Gerber baby food empire, yet publicly denies both.

Bill is considered the industries leading expert in design and customer experience. His work can be found in over 12,000 eyecare locations worldwide, online and in the ethos of modern optical design.

Gerber is currently spearheading the development of Perfect Vision, the industries first omni cahnnel software super app designed to make the eyecare experience more delightful for both patients and ECP's alike.

Fun fact; despite almost dying in a parachute accident, he bungee jumped off a 1500 foot high bridge in South Africa a few years ago!

Joy Livingood Gibb, ABOC has been in the eyecare field since 1986. She has had years of experience in managing an independent retail opticianry, owned a mobile optical service, and managed an ophthalmology practice. Joy is passionate about helping offices improve their sales and providing the best customer experience possible, as well as inspiring other eyecare professionals to find their passion for the industry. In addition to speaking at meetings she also enjoys visiting offices to do personal training for staff. Joy has also participated in the writing of several industry guides and served on several education committees.

Caroline Pate, OD, FAAO is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Pate earned her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College, her OD degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and completed a residency in Family Practice at UAB School of Optometry. She has been a member of the UAB Optometry faculty since 2005, where she teaches Diseases of the Anterior Segment and serves as the Director of Residency Programs. Dr. Pate received the Alabama Optometric Association’s Young OD of the Year in 2014, the UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2017, the Alabama Optometric Association's Educator of the Year Award in 2019, and the AOA's Educator of the Year Award in 2020.

Patrick Stifter, OD, is a Senior Manager of Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica, where he educates and advises eye care professionals on the latest lens technologies and innovations. With a clinical background as a practicing optometrist, particularly in pediatrics and myopia management, he brings a real-world perspective to his work - including firsthand experience as an early adopter of the Stellest lens.

Dr. Stifter earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His career spans private practice and now more recently industry, giving him a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing eye care professionals today. In his current role, he serves as a bridge between clinical practice and product innovation, helping practitioners make informed decisions that benefit their patients.

A passionate advocate for advancing the standard of care, Dr. Stifter is committed to helping eye care professionals navigate new technologies with confidence. He works closely with practitioners across the country to support the implementation of the latest technologies, allowing them to better serve their patients.

Dr. Stifter is based in Boulder, Colorado, where he lives with his wife and dog. Outside of work, he can be found exploring the trails and gravel roads of the Front Range - hiking, cycling, and running whenever the Colorado sunshine allows.

Pamela Theriot, OD, FAAO, currently works as the Clinical Director of the Dry Eye Center at Williamson - Azar Eye Clinic in Lafayette, LA. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Rice University, her Doctorate in Optometry from the University of California at Berkeley, School of Optometry, and she completed a residency program at State University of New York, College of Optometry.

Dr. Theriot is the author of Alleviate Dry Eye, Your 8 week plan to restore healthy eyes and clear vision. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Public Awareness Committee for the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Lifestyle Workshop. She is the Dry Eye Columnist for Optometric Management. In January of 2025, she delivered an Editor’s Pick Award winning TEDx talk titled 3 Tips to Preserve Vision while living in a Screen-filled World. She lectures extensively on preserving vision at local, state, and national optometric events.

Dr. Julie Tyler received her B.A. from Creighton University and her Doctor of Optometry Degree from Indiana University School of Optometry (IU). Following graduation, Dr. Tyler completed a Residency at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Optometry and served as Chief Resident before joining the faculty at NSU full-time for over two decades.

More recently, Dr. Tyler joined the faculty at Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at MBKU. While working at SCCO, Dr. Tyler teaches both clinically and didactically in areas related to primary care optometry and ocular disease. Additionally, she collaborates with her MBKU colleagues of other disciplines within the MBKU interprofessional education (IPE) programs, including IPE clinics. Dr. Tyler has further contributed to academic administrative roles ranging from primary care chief to continuing education.

During her optometric education career, Dr. Tyler has been promoted to Associate Professor and received numerous teaching awards. She has been recognition as a faculty member of the Gold Key Honor Society and inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society, which recognizes individuals in all academic disciplines. Dr. Tyler has authored posters and published journal articles on various topics in the areas of primary care optometry and ocular disease, including her areas of interest in anterior segment diseases, uveitis, trauma, and the effects of STIs within the eye. Dr. Tyler is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP), and a member of the American Optometric Association. She serves on the ASCO IPRF committee, and in January 2023, she was appointed as a representative of the AAO to the COPE governing council. In 2025, Dr. Tyler became the Chair of the COPE governing council and the ASCO IPE SIG.

Phernell Walker, MBA, ABOM, LDO, NCLEC, is a globally recognized speaker and educator whose passion for optics and eye care business is unmistakable to anyone who meets him. He is the author of Pure Optics, a widely adopted textbook used in optometry and opticianry colleges nationwide, and formerly served as an Adjunct Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry.

Phernell is the Chairperson of the American Board of Opticianry, and was named one of the Top Four Opticians in the World by the International Opticians Association (2023, 2024), and is a recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Silmo Paris. He is among a select group of professionals worldwide to earn an ABO Master in Ophthalmic Optics. His academic credentials include an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Business, and an Associate of Science in Ophthalmic Optics. His contributions to the field have earned him numerous honors, including the Joseph Bruneni Award (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry), the Beverly Myers Award in Ophthalmic Optics, NAO Educator of the Year, and the Helen Keller Benefactor Award for his humanitarian work in optics. Phernell is also the VP of Optometric Relations for VSP Eyefinity.