National Vision announces CEO transition
National Vision Holdings Inc. will soon undergo a CEO shakeup.
The optical retail company’s board of directors has appointed Alex Wilkes as its next chief executive, effective Aug. 1, 2025. Wilkes succeeds longtime CEO Reade Fahs, who will assume the role of executive chairman of the board. Fahs will continue to work closely with Wilkes, ensuring a smooth transition.
Wilkes was named president of National Vision in August of 2024. For two years prior, he served as president of the Americas at CooperVision, a contact lens manufacturer. Before that, he spent nearly 12 years at eyewear company Luxottica, holding roles of increasing responsibility.
Upon becoming CEO, Wilkes will also join the board of directors.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO for National Vision at such a pivotal time for the company,” said Wilkes. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the board for their support, and to Reade for his remarkable leadership and mentorship, which has transformed this company into the industry leader it is today. Looking ahead, I'm confident in our strategic direction and the world-class team we have in place.”
Fahs has served as the CEO of National Vision since January 2003, after joining the company as president and chief operating officer the year prior.
“National Vision has been on a journey of significant transformation for the past few years, and today I am pleased to announce the next chapter in that transformation by passing the baton on to Alex Wilkes to become our next CEO,” said Fahs. “The board and I brought Alex on last August with hopes of fresh perspectives, new approaches, and a smooth gradual transition to a next generation of National Vision leadership. Alex and his evolving new leadership team have made a measurable impact on our organization and are leading a new strategic approach that, as we shared on our last earnings call, looks like it will serve us well in the coming years.”
[READ MORE: National Vision on hunt for new CFO; announces leadership changes]
National Vision operates over 1,200 stores in 38 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. The company operates four retail brands: America’s Best, Eyeglass World, and Vista Opticals inside select Fred Meyer stores and on select military bases, and an e-commerce website DiscountContacts.com.
