Awards
The CLMA periodically recognizes individuals whose contributions have furthered the contact lens field. Here you’ll find current and past recipients of these honors.
2025 Award Winner
Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS
2025 CLMA Medal of Honor
Dr. Josef Dallos Award
For outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the contact lens industry and for service to humanity.
2022 Paul Randolph Rose BSc, Dip Opt, CNZM, FCCLNZ
2020 Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, FAAO
2018 Jan PG Bergmanson, OD, PhD, DSc
2011 Craig W. Norman, FCLSA
2006 William J. “Joe” Benjamin, OD
2003 Brien Holden, PhD
2002 Robert M. Lohr, OD
2001 Donald R. Korb, OD, FAAO
2000 Joseph T. Barr, OD, MS
1999 Carl F. Moore, FCLSA
1998 Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd
1997 Raleigh S. Althisar, Sr., OD, DOS
1996 Leonard Seidner, OD
1995 Daniel G. Schuman
1994 Perry Rosenthal, MD
1993 Joseph L. Breger, OD
1992 Irvin M. Borish, OD
1991 Richard M. Hill, OD, PhD
1989 Irving Fatt, PhD
1988 Neal J. Bailey, OD, PhD
1987 Quido A. Cappelli
1986 Joseph Soper
1985 Robert Mandell, OD, PhD
1984 George K. Meszaros
1983 Joseph Goldberg, OD
1982 Professor Otto Wichterle
1981 William D. Platt, OD
1980 Charles Neefe
1979 George Nissel
1978 Solon Braff, OD
1978 Joseph Cinefro
1976 George Jessen
1976 Newton Wesley
1975 William Feinbloom
1974 Philip Salvatori
1974 Americo Oriani
1973 William Policoff
1972 Dr. Josef Dallos
Trailblazers Award
For outstanding achievement in product development to the enhancement of the contact lens industry.
2024 Michael A. Fischer
2022 James A. Bonafini, Jr.
2020 Jerome A. Legerton, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO
2018 Vic McCray, MD
2015 Al J. Vaske
2013 Naomi J. Svochak
2011 Daniel L. Bell
2008 Thomas E. Anastor
2007 Jim Drain
2006 Frank Svochak, Sr.
2005 Alex Cannella
2004 Joe Sicari
2001 Raleigh S. Althisar, Sr., OD, DOS
1999 Archer C. Holcomb
1997 Charles P. Creighton, OD
1996 Dr. Kai Su
1995 Don Brucker
1994 Charles Nishimura
1993 William F. Coombs
1992 J.R. “Rod” Keller
1991 Jerry J. Hornstein
1991 Joseph L. Breger
1990 Donald L. Woodford, Sr.
1989 Larry Platt, FCLSA
1989 Cornell S. Marschalko
1989 Dennis C. England, OD
1988 Leonard Seidner, OD
1988 Dr. Joseph Krezanoski
1988 John C. Petricciani
1987 William C. Hoffman
1987 Donald Ratkowski
1987 Perry Rosenthal, MD
Creative Design & Process Award
For innovation in lens design and manufacturing process to the enhancement of the contact lens industry.
2022 Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO, FSLS
2018 John McGregor
2011 Neal Bergman
2008 Robert O. Breece, OD
2006 Nick Stoyan
2004 Nick Siviglia, Ph.D
2002 Adolf Wilhem Mueller-Welt, DOS
2000 Paul Rose, OD
1996 Charles W. Neefe
1995 Adolf Welt
1994 Jan Svochak
1993 Herman Young
1992 David G. Ewell, OD
1991 Anthony L. Salvatori
1990 James R. Albrecht
1989 Samuel Loshaek, PhD
1989 David Volk
1988 Dr. George Tsuetaki
1987 Armand Boucher
CLMA Medal of Honor
For embodying the ideals of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association at the highest levels, through service and achievements within the contact lens industry.
2025 Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS
2018 Quido A. Cappelli
The Leonardo da Vinci Award
For vision in establishing the focus of the CLMA and dedication to the achievement of its goals.
2020 C. Lee Dickerson
2018 Jan B. Svochak
2018 Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS
2015 Christopher F. Pantle
2004 David T. Rusch
2003 Raleigh S. Althisar, Sr., OD, DOS
2001 William D. Platt, OD
2000 Daniel J. Manelli
1998 George K. Meszaros
1995 Quido A. Cappelli
1992 Carl F. Moore, FCLSA
1990 Donald J. Ratkowski
1988 Bernard O. Megard
Honorary Recognition Award
In appreciation for a lifetime of dedication and service to the contact lens industry.
2024 Jonathan J. Jacobson
2022 Kenneth W. Leonhard
2020 Adam W. Farkas, MD, MBA
2020 Gretchyn M. Bailey
2015 Keith D. Parker
2013 Fadi G. Achkouti
2011 George “Chip” Heavican
2011 William K. Veneman
2008 George K. Meszaros
2007 Charley Creighton
2006 Boyd Richardson
2005 Pamela B. Witham
2005 Michael A. Wildman
2004 Kyoichi Tanaka
2002 Mel Sanford
2001 Craig W. Norman, FCLSA
2000 Patrick J. Caroline, FAAO
1999 Alexander J. Torda
1998 Maurice G. Poster, OD
1997 J. Dan Bailey
1996 Andrew M. Weir
1995 Martin Topaz
1994 William C. Hoffman
1993 Robert J. Morrison, OD
1992 Charles P. Creighton, OD
1991 Raleigh S. Althisar, Sr., OD, DOS
1989 Frederick J. Danker
1989 Harry W. Hind
1987 Edwin Gary
Industry Enhancement Award
For unselfish dedication to the CLMA and the contact lens industry.
2024 Christopher F. Pantle
2022 Roger Zimmer
2020 Ron Walker
2018 John D. Hibbs
2015 Daniel L. Bell
2015 Daniel J. Manelli
2015 Troy A. Miller
2013 Janice Y. Adams
2011 James W. Lunkley
2008 David B. Bland
2007 Dr. Eef van der Worp
2006 Jan Daniel
2005 Ursula Lotzkat
2004 Joseph T. Barr, OD, MS
2002 Krist Jani
2001 Quido A. Cappelli
2000 William C. Hoffman
1999 Charles R. Vermette
1998 Erik A. Larsen
1997 Duane Tracy
1996 Edward W. Vernon
1995 Jay Woychick
1994 Clay Kowarsh
1993 Malcolm J. McLean
1992 George E. Glady
1991 David Walker
1990 Charles P. Hegge
1989 Charles R. Harris
1988 Stephen Young
1987 Earl Saltzgiver
Lab Technician of the Year
For outstanding professional lab technician.
1989 Greg Goodhart (Awarded in 2006) – Con-Cise Contact Lens Company
1988 Larry Platt, FCLSA – Platt Contact Lens Service