About Us
PVG was created as a way for eye care practitioners to maintain the individuality that is so important to the success of an independent practice, while benefiting from the services of a team of experts and involvement in a network of like-minded practitioners.
Rick began his career in the eye care business while studying Accounting at Marshall University. As a student, he was a part-time dispensing optician. Eventually he assumed the business manager responsibilities for a corporation that ran and operated a wholesale lab and small chain of retail stores. At Southern Optical he rose through the ranks as an Area Sales Consultant, Key Accounts Manager, and finally, Director of Practice Enhancement.
Rick provides practice support in the areas of management, financial planning and consulting, mergers, and more. E-mail Rick Omohundro
Chris received his bachelor's degree from the award-winning Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and received his internship training at C&P Telephone Company of West Virginia. While in school, he worked part-time at Pearle Vision Center as a dispensing optician and later at a Lenscrafters store in Charlotte. As a Sales Consultant with Varilux Corp. he was awarded District Sales Consultant of the year.
Chris provides practice support in the areas of practice automation, organizational behavior and team building, advertising, public relations, medical documentation and coding, design services, and more. E-mail Chris Morris
Rene Attended the University of North Carolina -Wilmington, Guilford College, Greensboro Technical Community College, and still takes various continuing education courses. Her past experiences includes Sears Telecatalog Center in Greensboro where she rose through the ranks as a Customer Service Representative, Troubleshooter and Service Specialist, and eventually Trainer and Supervisor.
Rene uses her extensive education and work experience to run the headquarters of Professional Vision Group. Rene coordinates the administrative support of clients and territory managers, accounts receivable, scheduling, and more. E-mail Rene Small
Bill Russ earned an associate’s degree in Opticianry from J.S Reynolds Community College and has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Richmond. He maintains a Virginia Optician’s License and Contact Lens Certification.
Bill has over 24 years of industry experience and joined the PVG team after working for nine years as the Optical Director of the Virginia Eye Institute, a multi-disciplinary center with offices around the greater Richmond area. Bill was in charge of four dispensaries, twenty employees and an annual sales revenue of over three million dollars. Prior to that, Bill worked in, owned, and managed a variety of optical and eye care locations.
Bill’s desire is to apply the experience and practical knowledge he has gained to the every day challenges of today’s eye care practitioner. Bill has a heart for training and loves to share his knowledge by speaking to colleagues at the local, state and national levels. He uses his talents and vast experience to help eye care practitioners in the Mid-Atlantic region with challenges in staffing, training, optical and selling skills, contact lens management, and more. E-mail Bill Russ
Bob Tatum has been in the optical industry for over 25 years and started as an apprentice optician. A native of Greensboro, Bob has been a sales consultant for Luxottica, Marchon, Varilux, Charmant and Zeiss Labs.
From wholesale lab technician to sales management, Bob has worked in all aspects of the eye care industry and has a wonderful grasp of what makes a practice thrive. He maintains his NC Opticians' License and realizes that to teach, he must first put people at ease while maintaining a professional disposition. With his numerous contacts across the country, Bob is a great addition to the PVG team and will use his decades of experience to guide successful practices in the areas of sales, staffing and marketing. E-mail Bob.