Exec Edge hosted a fireside chat at the ICR Conference 2026 with Alex Wilkes, Chief Executive Officer at National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE). The in-person interview was joined by Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks, and they discussed how the company operates and leverages its retail brands like America’s Best, Eyeglass World, Vista Optical and Discount Contacts.com, how the company is using data-driven insights to enhance the customer experience in its over 1,200 stores across 38 states, among other topics.
About Alex Wilkes
Alex Wilkes joined National Vision as President in August 2024 and became Chief Executive Officer in August 2025. As CEO, he leads the company’s enterprise-wide strategy, growth and transformation efforts, focused on delivering long-term shareholder value by enhancing the customer and patient experience. With more than a decade of leadership in the eye care industry, Alex brings a strong track record of accelerating performance, operational excellence and developing strategies that position brands for sustained success. Previously, Alex served as President, Americas at CooperVision, a global leader in contact lenses. Prior to this, he spent more than a decade at EssilorLuxottica, a leading global eyewear company, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pearle Vision, where he spearheaded the expansion of one of the largest franchises in the vision care industry, and as Vice President of Vision Care for LensCrafters. Alex’s early career as a management consultant included roles with Accenture and Deloitte. Alex holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa.
About National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE)
National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) is one of the largest optical retail companies in the United States with over 1,200 stores in 38 states and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people by making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible, the company operates four retail brands: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, and Vista Opticals inside select Fred Meyer stores and on select military bases, and an e-commerce website DiscountContacts.com, offering a variety of products and services for customers’ eye care needs.
READ ALL ICR 2026 INTERVIEWS IN THE FOLLOWING LINK: ICR 2026
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