SAN FRANCISCO - The American Academy of Ophthalmology announced today the promotion of Donna Lock to Executive Director for the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE).

In her new role, Lock will work with the AAOE Board of Directors to oversee strategic direction and will lead membership recruitment and retention initiatives. She will report to Jay Saoud, vice president, Member Services & Marketing.

"It is my goal to provide members with the information they need to prepare for changes in the demographic and regulatory environment, to support their development and to engage them in the organization," said Lock, who joined the Academy in 2003 as AAOE Program Manager.

Before her promotion, Lock was responsible for identifying and developing member programs and services, such as the quality educational program she developed for the AAOE program for the Academy's Annual Meeting. The number of AAOE members attending the AAOE program of the Annual Meeting has tripled since 2003. She also oversaw the development of the member newsletter Executive Update, webinars and on-line communities.

"Donna has played a key role in the success of our membership recruitment and retention and she was the natural choice for this position," said H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, executive vice president for the Academy. "We are confident she will meet her new responsibilities with the same enthusiasm and skill that she has exhibited in her time with the Academy."

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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons - Eye M.D.s - with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" - opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.