David Pierson Email & Phone Number

Okatie, South Carolina

David Pierson founded J. David Optical Consultants in November 2014, to work with clients in the optical industry in the development of strategic and tactical issues that will improve their business. With Pierson’s 25+ years of experience in the industry he has grown to understand the varied customer bases that both vendors and retailers must serve, and how to develop programs that will achieve sales and income goals while serving the customers/patients requirements. He has a unique ability to identify ways to break through issues that retailers face in securing new accounts, servicing/retaining accounts, and driving more business in their product lines and services. Pierson currently is consulting with The Vision Council, the largest trade association in the optical industry and serves as the liaison to the retail division.

Blackwood, New Jersey

David Pierson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the sixth largest optical retail chain under the U.S. Vision brand, and the second largest independent operator of optical stores in host retailers in terms of store count and the first in terms of the number of brands. During his tenure, Pierson and the management team significantly improved and re-formatted the business with the addition of 2 new major core businesses and led the acquisition of a major freestanding business to the portfolio. The business also dramatically improved the manufacturing operation through the addition of up-to-date equipment and processes.

St. Louis, Missouri

Pierson was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of CPI Corp., a North American portrait studio operator, from March 2001 to April 2004 and simultaneously served as its President from February 2002 to April 2004. In his first year at CPI, he restructured the senior management of the company and launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to chart the organization’s growth, and to transform the company to an open, inclusive, and participatory culture. As the exclusive licensed operator of Sears Portrait Studios in the U.S. and Canada, Pierson opened 130 new free-standing Sears Optical stores building the total chain to more than 1,000 locations. Pierson served as a Director of CPI Corp. from March 2001 to April, 2004.

Cleveland, Ohio

Pierson served in a variety of executive positions in the Cole Licensed Brands division of Cole National Corporation in Cleveland Ohio. As President of the division from 1996 to 2001, he led this $400 million division which provided complete vision care and eyewear products and services through Sears Optical, Target Optical, and BJ’s Wholesale Club Optical departments. During his tenure, the number of retail locations grew from 650 stores to more than 1,100. In addition, Pierson is credited with starting-up a Professional Services Division with a council of 45 doctors representing 1,100 peers. He joined Cole in 1988 as Vice President, Operations and was subsequently promoted to Executive Vice President, Operations and Manufacturing, and later to General Manager for Cole. While at Cole Vision he was part of the leadership team that acquired Pearle Vision. Pierson also served as President of Pearle Vision.

Greater Chicago Area

Played a key role in strategy development that led to opening 27 stores before the chain was sold to Kohl’s in 1988

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

David Pierson spent five years in Minneapolis with Target Stores in a number of store operating roles, including the Director of Store Operations. During his time at Target, he was involved in the integration of two significant acquisitions.

Greater New York City Area

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania And Boston, Massachusetts

Pierson began his career in retail management in 1969 as an Executive Trainee with Sears, with promotions to Assistant Store Manager and Merchandise Manager.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba)

Activities and Societies: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

Bachelor’S Degree

Education record