Sacramento CA, December 13, 2005 — The nation's largest eyecare benefits provider today announced the addition of an experienced industry veteran to the company's leadership team, as VSP (Vision Service Plan) named Rob Lynch its new president. With more than 30 years experience in the employee benefits field, Lynch will succeed VSP CEO Roger J. Valine upon his retirement in mid 2006 and lead the $2 billion company as CEO.
Lynch joins VSP from Buck Consultants, an ACS company, which is a leader in human resource and benefits consulting with more than 1,500 professionals worldwide. Selected as one of "35 Rising Stars" by Business Insurance magazine, he serves on a variety of association boards and councils in the benefits industry. Lynch also served as a member of the VSP Board of Directors for nine years and has a strong sense of the company's widely-recognized corporate culture.
"In addition to his extensive industry background, Rob's leadership qualities and his clear understanding of our values makes him the ideal candidate to lead VSP," said Valine. "I'm certain VSP will continue its tradition of leadership under Rob's guidance."
"Rob is a nationally recognized leader in the benefits industry," added Board Chairman Bruce Mebine, O.D. "That, along with his VSP knowledge, makes him a great addition to a management team our Board already has great confidence in."
Continuously named a 'Best Place to Work' by Fortune magazine (#10 on 2005's listing), VSP is committed to maintaining its 50-year legacy as the country's leading vision benefits provider as well as retaining its award-winning employee satisfaction levels. In the coming weeks, Lynch will spend time talking with employees, clients and doctors about the future of VSP.
"Over the course of my career, I've had the opportunity to work with thousands of exceptional companies, and I would put VSP at the top of the list," said Lynch. "I'm proud to be a part of such a tremendous organization and look forward to continued success in the future. It's important that we continue to innovate as a company and remain focused on delivering exceptional eyecare benefits to our members – that will remain my primary goal."
About VSP
VSP provides eyecare benefit plans that range from comprehensive eye examinations and materials to complete medical and surgical eyecare. With more than 44 million members nationwide, one in eight people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 300,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997. VSP, a company with over $2 billion in annual gross revenue, has been recognized by Fortune Magazine for the sixth consecutive year as one of best places to work in America. For more information, visit us online at www.vsp.com.
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