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 has served as General Chairman of the Education Committee for SECO International since 2002. He was appointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry by Governor Brian Kemp in June of 2021 where he serves as Vice-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.

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, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC, is an Arizona state licensed, ABO and NCLE certified optician, and the Senior Manager of Professional Engagement at HOYA Vision Care. With over 20 years in the optical industry, Michael is an international speaker who has energized audiences across North America with his dynamic storytelling, practical insight, and motivational content. Known for turning complex topics into clear, actionable takeaways, he inspires eye care professionals to embrace change and drive growth in their practices.

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 Sherpa, 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 L. Gibb, ABOC began her optical career in 1986 and has managed an independent retail opticianry and owned a mobile optical service. She is currently the practice manager for Daynes Eye and Lasik in Bountiful, Utah. In addition, she often consults practices about their dispensaries and improving customer service and sales. Patients often seek her help with the difficult to fit prescription and children’s eyewear. Joy has also contributed to many industry guidelines and publications and has served as a member of the Better Vision Institute.

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.

Pamela Theriot, OD, FAAO, currently works as the Clinical Director of the Dry Eye Center at Lusk Eye Specialists in Shreveport, 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 has been a speaker for pharmaceutical companies and has severed as an educator at local, state, national, and international optometric events.

Dr. Theriot has practiced in 6 states as she traveled with her husband’s military career. Now, her family now resides in Benton, Louisiana, where they enjoy swimming and boating.

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 Chair 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.