By Dr. Ed Bennett, December 2024

It all started in the mid-1980s at a Paragon Vision Science Clinical Investigator’s meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. At dinner, prominent St. Louis contact lens specialist Dr. Frank Fontana was whispering to everyone (but me) about starting a contact lens research institute. With the support of Paragon founder Don Ratkowski, the RGP (later GP) Lens Institute was established. They didn’t forget me; I was asked to be Workshop Coordinator. A few years later the initial Executive Director had to resign due to a conflict of interest. I was in heaven at the time…helping the RGPLI film some fluorescein pattern videos at UC-Berkeley with legendary author and researcher, Dr. Robert Mandell, and iconic manufacturer Carl Moore (i.e., “Mandell-Moore”). As is well known by many, when the filming was completed and while driving me to the airport, Carl Moore asked me to be Executive Director of the RGPLI…and I said “No”…only because I did not feel I was qualified. He responded, “Ed, if you don’t take this position I’m going to drop you off on the side of the highway and you’ll have to figure out how to get to the airport.” So, I accepted his offer. Little did I know that this would be the greatest professional decision I’ve ever made and would represent the greatest source of professional satisfaction I’ve ever experienced.

 I’ve never claimed to be a good idea person. Therefore, it was important to have many advisory groups. We currently have the greatest Board of Directors in our history including President Derrell James, Vice-President John Hibbs, and Secretary-Treasurer Sara Yost. Our Advisory Board is comprised of many of the most renown specialty contact lens experts in the world; and our large number of committees – which include many rising stars in the profession – allow us to make dreams come true. 

We have the developer of the “STAPLE” program, Ursula Lotzkat, as our Program Coordinator. We have one of the great leaders and educators, Dr. Tom Quinn, as our Associate Director. And, of course, we have the multi-talented and dedicated Beth Anderzhon as our Administrative Director. Most important, beginning January 1, we will have an outstanding leader and clinician-researcher, Dr. Jennifer Harthan, as our Executive Director. When Dr. Harthan accepted our offer, it was truly an “aha moment” in my life because then I knew the future of the GPLI would be very bright.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who have supported the GPLI through use of our resources, attending webinars, and promoting our programs. It has not gone unnoticed and is sincerely appreciated. It has been my privilege to serve you for the last 37 years.