National Vision Holdings, Inc. announced that Ravi Acharya has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Reade Fahs. Acharya will be responsible for leading the organization’s Information Technology (IT) function including all aspects of technology strategy and operations enabling the Company to maximize service to customers, patients, and internal business units.
“We are so glad to welcome Ravi to the National Vision family,” said Reade Fahs, Chief Executive Officer of National Vision. “He brings with him decades of experience – across a variety of sectors, including retail and health care – in helping companies use technology to drive engaging and innovative ways to connect with audiences. His knowledge will undoubtedly help us enhance our ability to drive business results and ultimately help more people access affordable eye care and eyewear.”
Acharya comes to National Vision most recently from Medtronic, where he served as Divisional Chief Information Officer and VP of e-Commerce and was responsible for the technology strategy and operations as well as initiatives across global eCommerce, big data/analytics, and core transactional systems and infrastructure for the Diabetes group. Prior to Medtronic, Acharya led direct-to-consumer tech solutions to connect audiences in engaging and innovative ways for a variety of companies and industry sectors including Mattel, Equifax, Sears and Capgemini.
“I am honored to be joining a mission-driven company like National Vision,” said Acharya. “I believe that the health care industry is poised for digital disruption, and this role is the intersection both health and retail – two of my passion points. National Vision’s mission of providing affordable, accessible optical solutions brings great meaning to the work, and I am excited to work with this amazing team and use technology to drive results and solutions for customers, patients, associates, optometrists and shareholders.”
Acharya will succeed long-time Chief Information Officer (CIO) John Vaught, who will begin transitioning into retirement in early May. Vaught has served as National Vision’s CIO for 15 years, leading all the IT systems integrations through the Company’s expansion as it grew to more than 1,100 stores and 12,000 associates.