Ed Buffington, president and CEO of GPN Technologies, to receive 2024 Person of Vision Award from Prevent Blindness

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Prevent Blindness has announced the recipient of the 2024 Person of Vision Award as Ed Buffington, president and CEO of GPN Technologies.

“The Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life,” according to the organization.¹

In a press release, Prevent Blindness stated Buffington was chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Person of Vision Award for “years of outstanding service in the optical and eyecare industry.”

Buffington began his career in the optical industry in 1979 as part of the contact lens company, American Hydron. In 1983, with his partners, he launched OfficeMate Software installing the first eyecare practice management software system to run on an IBM PC in April 1984.¹

In 1994, Marchon acquired OfficeMate, which was later acquired by VSP. After retiring from VSP in 2014, Buffington began his private consulting firm, The Buffington Company.¹

“I am humbled and honored to receive this very special industry recognition from Prevent Blindness, thank you!” said Buffington in a press release. “I want to thank all the wonderful friends and partners I’ve worked with throughout my tenure in eyecare. It’s those relationships that have contributed to my success and enjoyment in my career.”

Prevent Blindness will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 20/20 Magazine at the Person of Vision Award gala.

“We are incredibly honored that Prevent Blindness will be recognizing the 50th Anniversary of 20/20 Magazine at the Person of Vision Dinner in March,” said James DeMatteis, Group Publisher, 20/20 and Vision Monday. “Achieving this milestone is something Jobson is both humbled by and very proud of—not only of the accomplishments this anniversary represents, but also of the tremendous strides the optical arena has achieved these past five decades.”

References:

1. Annual Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award Gala at Vision Expo East to Honor Ed Buffington, GPN Technologies, and Recognize 20/20 Magazine for 50 Years of Publication. Press Release. Released September 28, 2023. Accessed September 29, 2023. https://preventblindness.org/2024-person-of-vision-honoree-announced/