Mike Robinson
Fearless Leader

Mike has worked in the opticianry field for over 13 years. In that time, he has obtained his American Board of Opticianry Certification (ABO), his ABO Advanced Certification (ABO-AC),
National Contact Lens Examiners Certification (NCLEC), as well as being a Certified Paraoptometric (CPO). He is 1 of 6 ABO Advanced level opticians in the state of Texas, and 1 of approximately 420 in the country that holds the prestigious ABO Advanced Certification.
“I feel as though every patient should know just as much about their own glasses as the optician who is helping them.”
Mike has also earned himself a spot as a certified ABO speaker and has a passion for teaching fellow opticians to educate their patients about their prescription and their glasses. In his spare time, he runs a weekly ABO Advanced Study Group where he holds weekly classes that help to usher in the next generation of top tier, Advanced Certified opticians.
Mike hails from Atlanta, GA where he started his optical career as an Apprentice in a Licensed state, where he underwent intensive training on his craft. He has a passion for karate, having earned a black belt in an American Mixed Martial Arts style when he was younger. Mike now studies an Okinawan original style called Matsumura Seito Shörin-ry.
He also enjoys long walks on the beach, cuddling up with a good book, and is an absolute Sci-Fi geek, with an emphasis on Dystopian stories.

Bryan Gary
Technical Guru

With over three years of hands-on experience in the eye care industry, Bryan Gary brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to our practice. While not bound by certification requirements in Texas, we are staunch advocates for professional development and continuous education. We champion certifications such as ABOC, ABOAC, NCLE, and NCLEAC, recognizing their significance in ensuring the highest standards of care for our clients.

Beyond our professional pursuits, Bryan draws from a rich background in education, boasting fifteen years of experience in one-on-one instruction. While previously rooted in the world of music, this tenure has instilled a deep appreciation for personalized communication and creative encouragement—values that drive our commitment to each individual we serve.

Heather Branderhorst
Speaker / Educator

Heather is an ABO Certified Optician with 18 years of experience. She has spent 11 years in Neuro Optometry, working with unique patients who have complex, prismatic prescriptions. This has given her the opportunity to continually come up with creative solutions, when a patient’s needs would not have otherwise been met. Heather‘s passion is teaching opticians how to be excellent opticians and promoting a mindset that we should treat every patient as though they are our own mother. Heather has years of experience training newly hired employees and doctors in the Neuro Vision setting. She is the Co-Founder of Calibrate Optics, the Neuro Visual Specialist for Artisan Lab Network and Brand Ambassador for Laibach & York. Heather is also the President of the Opticians Association of Oregon, working to bring education and licensure to the State of Oregon. Additionally, she serves on several committees for both the Optician’s and the Optometry Associations. Heather‘s greatest passion is teaching the AIC’s in the Eyeglass program at Coffee Creek Women’s Correctional Facility, where she is a resource for the women; both incarceration and helping them get placed in offices once they are released. A shaker and a mover, Heather uses her platform in this industry to promote change and bridge the gap between Opticianry and Optometry. so that Opticianry is valued, respected and sought after as a career.

Chelsia Brodie
Speaker / Educator

Hello, my name is Chelsia. I am a graduate from the Hillsborough Community College Opticianry program. I am a licensed FL state optician, holding both the ABO and NCLE certifications. I am currently working towards passing the ABO-AC certification. Upon seeing Phernell Walker at a continuing education engagement, it clicked my professors and peers telling me I should pursue speaking made sense. My first year in the industry I was named an “Elite Sales Associate”, with $385K in sales at Eyeglass World. My goal is to revive the optical landscape, and my passion is to become a speaker in pursuit of that goal. I look for mentorship and guidance in my career seeking opportunities as they come and am looking for that right job to effectively put my wealth of knowledge to use. In the present moment I enjoy teaching and learning with my cohorts come join me in this great journey!

Harry Chilinguerian (Harry Chiling)
Speaker / Educator

My name is Harry Chilinguerian, I go by Harry Chiling for convenience.  I am an accomplished Optician who graduated from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with a diploma in ophthalmic sciences.  I enjoy pushing the technology boundaries in ophthalmic optics through programming and process engineering.

In my 30 years in the industry, I have worked in many modalities and for various companies.  I currently work for myself in a company I founded Optscureal Limited, my mission is to help opticians realize the value in obscure optical knowledge, through training and consultation.

Wesley Scott
Expert / Advisor

Wes is a military veteran, has been in the eyecare industry for over thirty years, and is currently the director of the Fort Jackson Optical Lab and a board member of the CLSA.  He’s a licensed optician in Georgia and South Carolina and has earned both advanced certifications from ABO and NCLE as well as the ABO Master in Ophthalmic Optics designation. He’s previously served on the boards of the South Carolina Association of Opticians, the Society to Advance Opticianry, and the Opticianry Summit Foundation. He’s been a member of the Vision Council’s Data Communication Standard and Lens Description Standard committees, and currently serves on several ANSI Z80 subcommittees. Wes is a graduate of the military’s Tri-Service Opticians School, holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, a Master of Information Systems, and an MBA.