The Goals of the NFOS:

• Upgrade the standards of opticianry education
• Facilitate the exchange of teaching methods
• Achieve uniformity of formal education in opticianry
• Assist national opticianry organizations in their efforts
• Develop formal educational programs in identified areas of need

President

Aarlan Aceto, OD

Middlesex CC, CT

Dr. Aarlan Aceto, OD is a graduate of both Ophthalmic Design and Dispensing program at Middlesex Communtity College (1995) and the New England College of Optometry (2009).  He is currently the Program Coordinator and an Associate Professor of the OD&D program at Middlesex. Dr. Aceto has previously was served as the Externship Director and Assistant Professor developing and teaching courses for two different Optometry programs (MCPHS University and the Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry) in the areas of Ophthalmic Optics, Contact Lenses, Business Management and Service Learning. He has been very involved in Organized Opticianry Opticianry (COA), and Organized Optometry (IOA and CAO), has served as the chair of the Ophthalmic Optics SIG for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and is the current president of the National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS). He has also served in other volunteer organizations, including as the past president of the Downers Grove IL Lions Club.

Vice-President

Mary Seguiti

Hillsborough CC, FL

Ms. Seguiti is a graduate of the Hillsborough Community College Opticianry Program 1985 and a Board Certified Licensed Florida Optician. She received her B.A. degree in Business Management from Eckerd College. Mary serves on the Executive Board of the National Federation of Opticianry Schools and is a consultant to the optical industry. She is a Commissioner for the COA Commission of Opticianry Education.

Secretary

Thomas Neff

Hillsborough CC, FL

Thomas Neff is a graduate of the Hillsborough Community College A.S. in Opticianry Program and a Board-Certified Optician in Florida. He holds an Advance Certification from the ABO and NCLE. He has a Bachelors in Technical Education and Industry Training from the University of Central Florida, and a Master’s Degree in Career and Technical Education also at UCF. He is presently Faculty Instructor at Hillsborough Community Colleges Opticianry Program. Thomas is a part of the National Federation of Opticianry Schools and Commission on Opticianry Accreditation.

Treasurer

Janet Acara

Erie CC, NY

Treasurer Janet Acara is an Associate Professor for the Vision Care Technology program at Erie Community College. She is also the contact lens fitter at Eye Sight Medical Center, an ophthalmology practice in Buffalo, NY. Janet is a New York State licensed optician and contact lens practitioner, a CLSA Fellow member, and past member of the CLSA Board of Directors. She has also served as president of the Contact Lens Society of New York. She is ABO and NCLE-Master certified. She is also certified by JCAHPO as an Ophthalmic Assistant. At present Janet serves as the NFOS appointee on the Board of Directors for the NCLE.  

Past President

Bob Russo

Professor Russo, a professor emeritus is the past chairperson of Vision Care Technology and was the anatomy and physiology, contact lens and  ophthalmic business practices coordinator. He is certified by the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact Lens Examiners, the Opticians Association of America in Refractometry and is licensed in the states of New York and New Jersey. Professor Russo is past President of NFOS (National Federation of Opticianry Schools)  He is a past Commissioner for the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, a past member of the board of directors of the Contact Lens Society of New York State and past chapter president of New York State Society of Opticians.

In addition, Professor Russo has served on the faculty for the Opticians Association of America, Vision Expo East and West, EyeQuest and the ABO/NCLE Education Conference. He has published several articles on contact lenses and speaks frequently at the national and state level.

Professor Russo received an Associate Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from New York City Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from The City University of New York, an a Master of Arts degree in Education from New York University. Professor Russo was named “National Federation of Opticianry Schools “Educator of the Year” in 2009,  “Optician of the Year” by the New York State Society of Opticians in 2012 and received the National Academy of Opticianry’s “Joseph Bruneni Memorial Education Achievement Award in 2015.