Vistar Eye Center has announced the promotion of Kathy Shelton to Chief Operating Officer. She joined Vistar in 2011 and most recently served as the manager of the Optical Department.

Vistar’s growth is the motivation for the need of a COO and Shelton’s exemplary work during her tenure made her a great choice, an announcement from the company said.

“Kathy has shown great commitment to our organization,” said Paul Levy, Chief Executive Officer of Vistar Eye Center. “Not only has she successfully improved the structure within our Optical Department, but she’s proven time and again that every decision she makes is centered on our practice’s ability to provide the highest quality of patient care.”

Over the last few years, Vistar Eye Center has added eye care professionals to the staff and expanded services in Botetourt, Greater Roanoke, Rocky Mount, and Martinsville. The center also has additional plans for a new office in the New River Valley.

“Our practice continues to expand throughout the region,” said Levy. “The need for critical and skilled surgical ophthalmological care is so great here and we’re finding top notch surgeons are genuinely interested in coming to work with our organization. We’re confident Kathy will help us manage that continued growth.”

Shelton has nearly 30 years of optical experience including careers with National Optical and other regional optical providers. In her new role as Chief Operating Officer at Vistar, she oversees all ongoing business operations within the practice.