Raftery Appointed as VP Business Development

San Luis Obispo, CA – Live Eyewear, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional grade fitover sunglasses, has appointed Jay Raftery to the position of Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Raftery will report directly to Kieran Hardy, CEO.

In the newly created role, Raftery will manage a completely new segment of the company’s business. Kieran Hardy, CEO of Live Eyewear said, “Jay’s signing comes during the final chapter of four years of product research and development. The resources, time and money we directed into the project have been considerable, but the final result is a product that has a tremendous upside not just for our customers and our company, but the entire optical industry. I’m thrilled that something that started out as an ‘impossibility’ is now going to market. I couldn’t think of anyone more suited to guide its success than Jay.”

Raftery will have operations, sales and marketing responsibility for the new division. “There are so many positive aspects to this project. From the outset I knew that if the product could be made, the advantages we’d deliver to eye care professionals would be landmark. The fact that it’s ‘Made in the USA’ is a true testament to the continued evolution and progress of U.S. based manufacturing.”

The company will launch the new division at Vision Expo East in New York City, April 14–17, 2016.

Mr. Raftery holds a degree in Business Finance from USC and earned his J.D. Law from the University of Denver. He previously served as Live Eyewear’s General Counsel from 2010 to 2013 and rejoins the company after two years with Beach, Cowdrey and Owen LLP.