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Accounting, Marketing, & Fashion Studies
300 Jay Street
Room N-1012
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Email: Business@citytech.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-260-5773
Fax: 718-260-5774
Vision Care Technology, Ophthalmic Dispensing, & Eyeglass Clinic
285 Jay Street
Room A-812
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Email: VisionCare@citytech.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-260-5298
Fax: 718-254-8521
Advisory Boards
Leslie Eden Harris
Leslie Eden Harris serves as the Global General Manager of SkinCeuticals, a L'Oreal-owned line of medical aesthetic skincare founded on antioxidant science. Today it is used and sold by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic doctors in over 35 countries worldwide. Read More
Leslie Eden Harris
Leslie Eden Harris serves as the Global General Manager of SkinCeuticals, a L'Oreal-owned line of medical aesthetic skincare founded on antioxidant science. Today it is used and sold by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic doctors in over 35 countries worldwide. In her capacity as General Manager, Leslie oversees the brand's global vision, innovation, and international expansion.
Under her leadership, the brand follows a strict charter for high-potency formulations and testing that adhere to its core principles of science-driven, evidence-based innovation to maintain skin health and complement aesthetic procedures. During her time, the brand has launched significant antioxidant and anti-aging breakthroughs including HA Intensifier and Triple Lipid Restore. With this approach of aesthetic skincare backed by science, SkinCeuticals has experienced the fastest growth in its history, and today is one of the largest, most successful professional skincare brands in the world.
Leslie began her career with L'Oreal in 2005 with the specialty brand Kiehl's. While there, she implemented the company's first 100% post-consumer recycled packaging, an initiative that is now used company-wide at L'Oreal. She introduced the first beauty product in the United States to be certified by Cradle to Cradle, a non-profit organization that recognizes products formulated for minimal environmental impact and maximum reuse. Leslie also launched the first anti-aging range produced by Kiehl's to receive ECOCERT certification.
Following her tenure at Kiehl's, she joined Garnier as the Director of Skincare Innovation in the US. Utilizing her extensive experience in consumer research and insights, she helped to reposition the brand to focus on its core brand equity and initiated a new formulation strategy that combined trend-driven innovation with accessibility.
Maintaining the belief that personal growth is achieved through continuous education and insatiable curiosity, Leslie has earned degrees from numerous acclaimed universities—she holds a B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College, an M.A. in Fashion History and Theory from the London College of Fashion and an M.P.S. in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Leslie also has a certification in aromatic plant medicine from the New York Institute of Aromatherapy. She is an avid beauty historian and currently serves as an adjunct professor at FIT, where she teaches a master's level course, Innovations in the History of Beauty, and was recently awarded the Estee Lauder Award for Faculty Leadership. She also serves on the board of ReSurge International, a global non-profit dedicated to increasing safe and timely access to reconstructive surgery. In her spare time, she volunteers for Foster Dogs Inc., where she is a co-coordinator of Chloe's Fospice Friends, a unique program that finds hospice homes for terminally-ill and super-senior shelter dogs to live out the remainder of their lives in love and dignity.
She resides in Harlem, New York, with her English husband, one lap dog, a scaredy cat, and a stream of quirky foster dogs looking for their forever homes.
Anthony Stein
Anthony Stein designs creative and educational experiences for a variety of industries—from fashion and retail, to technology and entertainment, working closely with Fortune 500 executives and world-renowned creative leaders. He is the founder and principal of A Stein Production, a New York City-based design and production firm that helps clients produce events and products through innovative design and consulting. Read More
Anthony Stein
Anthony Stein designs creative and educational experiences for a variety of industries—from fashion and retail, to technology and entertainment, working closely with Fortune 500 executives and world-renowned creative leaders. He is the founder and principal of A Stein Production, a New York City-based design and production firm that helps clients produce events and products through innovative design and consulting. He is currently working with an international corporation to design company-wide transformation initiatives. Anthony has a degree in Architecture and Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Rob Piechota
Robert J. Piechota is the Director of the Small Business Development Center at City Tech–CUNY, in Brooklyn, NY. Rob is a US Army Veteran and West Point graduate having served both as an enlisted man and an officer in the Military Police Corps. He has over 25 years' experience in business working within a Fortune 100 company as a Sales Manager and as a Business Unit Training Director. Read More
Rob Piechota
Robert J. Piechota is the Director of the Small Business Development Center at City Tech–CUNY, in Brooklyn, NY. Rob is a US Army Veteran and West Point graduate having served both as an enlisted man and an officer in the Military Police Corps. He has over 25 years' experience in business working within a Fortune 100 company as a Sales Manager and as a Business Unit Training Director. He has also operated his own small business in Connecticut. More recently Rob has worked with the Small Business Development Center, (SBDC) located in Brooklyn, NY on the City Tech campus, working as both a Veteran Assistance and Support Advisor and as the Director of the Brooklyn SBDC. The Brooklyn SBDC services a very diverse ethnic client base. Inherent in his role as director of the award-winning SBDC, is his on-going effort in assisting small business owners recover from natural disasters such as Super Storm Sandy, and preparing for similar challenges in the future. His credo in his current position is: “To provide customized solutions through advisement, education, research and advocacy for entrepreneurs, innovators, and the Small and Medium Enterprise community.” This credo can only be supported with an ever-increasing network of partners throughout community organizations, stakeholder groups and fellow resource partners.
Allan Virgo
Born in Jamaica, Allan Virgo was introduced to the world of fashion early on. His journey began among the patterns and mounds of fabric in his mother's dressmaking business. Read More
Allan Virgo
Born in Jamaica, Allan Virgo was introduced to the world of fashion early on. His journey began among the patterns and mounds of fabric in his mother's dressmaking business. By the age of seven, Allan was already well versed in the art of garment making and construction. Under his mother's tutelage, he developed and mastered the skill of making beautiful clothes, while understanding the importance of innovation and a strong work ethic.
Allan moved to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology-SUNY (FIT), where he earned an associate degree in Fashion Design and a bachelor of arts in International Trade & Marketing. He has played an integral role on design teams at Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, Guess, Michael Kors, and is currently the Senior Designer for Kenneth Cole Outerwear.
In 2013, Allan introduced his Spring/Summer collections at Jamaica Style Week, which garnered stellar reviews in the Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaican Observer, Fashion Bomb Daily Style Magazine, and was featured in Vogue Italia, and British Vogue. After this debut, he launched his eponymous outerwear brand based in New York. His philosophy reflects a commitment to innovative design, craftsmanship, functionality and quality influenced by American culture and his Jamaican roots.
Paul Bernard
Paul Bernard is an innovative executive coach, recruiter, and small business consultant with more than 25 years of experience. He is the founder and principal of Paul Bernard & Associates, an executive coaching and management consulting firm. Read More
Paul Bernard
Paul Bernard is an innovative executive coach, recruiter, and small business consultant with more than 25 years of experience. He is the founder and principal of Paul Bernard & Associates, an executive coaching and management consulting firm. Before opening Paul Bernard & Associates in 1989, Mr. Bernard held senior management positions in both the financial services and publishing industries.
Mr. Bernard has recruited and coached CEOs, CFOs, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Credit Officers, Chief Compliance Officers, investment bankers, financial analysts, currency traders, commodity traders, attorneys, physicians, scientists, publishers, editors, marketing executives, creative directors, television producers, sales managers, college administrators and professors, and not-for-profit executives. His unique executive coaching services have helped hundreds of executives in the United States, Canada, and Europe find jobs and advance their careers after landing a position.
Mr. Bernard has discussed career and recruitment issues on many television and radio programs, including Today in New York (WNBC-TV), Financially Speaking (WEVD-AM), and CNN. Business Week Online regularly quotes him on career issues. His work with clients has also been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and Newsday. Mr. Bernard holds a B.A. from Fordham University, an M.A. from Duke University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the International Coach Federation, the American Society for Training and Development, the Association for Psychological Type, the Human Resource Planning Society, and the Society for Human Resource Management.
Paul Bernard lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Natalia Jimenez
Natalia Jimenez is originally from Bogota, Colombia. She obtained an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from City Tech in 2013. Natalia worked in a small private practice in Baldwin, Long Island for a year before earning her New York license, and then moved on to Lenscrafters as an optician. Read More
Natalia Jimenez
Natalia Jimenez is originally from Bogota, Colombia. She obtained an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from City Tech in 2013. Natalia worked in a small private practice in Baldwin, Long Island for a year before earning her New York license, and then moved on to Lenscrafters as an optician. In 2015, she received her Bachelor's in Health Care Administration, started a position at Long Island Pediatric of Ophthalmology, and in 2018 began teaching at City Tech as an adjunct professor in the dispensing clinic and materials labs — where she taught for three years. Natalia's responsibilities included teaching students not only how to neutralize lenses, but also edging and adjusting frames. She became very passionate about working with students from different backgrounds and discovered that one of her strengths is the ability to share her knowledge and experience. In June of 2020, during the pandemic, Natalia received a master's degree in Health Care Administration at Saint Joseph College.
Anthony Rebaldo
Anthony Rebaldo has been a licensed ophthalmic dispenser since 1973 and 56 years of both retail and lab experience. He is a 1966 alum of New York City College Technology (when it was known as New York Community College) and hopes to aid future opticians with his many years of experience. Read More
Anthony Rebaldo
Anthony Rebaldo has been a licensed ophthalmic dispenser since 1973 and 56 years of both retail and lab experience. He is a 1966 alum of New York City College Technology (when it was known as New York Community College) and hopes to aid future opticians with his many years of experience.
Gary Friedman
Gary Friedman is an adjunct instructor in the Vision Care Program in the Business Department since Spring 2007. He received his New York State Ophthalmic Dispensing License in August 1992 and his New York State Contact Lens License in 2012. Mr. Friedman has National Certification with the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. Read More
Gary Friedman
Gary Friedman is an adjunct instructor in the Vision Care Program in the Business Department since Spring 2007. He received his New York State Ophthalmic Dispensing License in August 1992 and his New York State Contact Lens License in 2012. Mr. Friedman has National Certification with the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. Mr. Friedman began working in the optical field in 1988 for a major optical company. He assisted this business in starting up several locations and continued his professional career in various optical companies to increase their performance and business growth. In 2007, Mr. Friedman opened a private optical practice.
Mr. Friedman received an Associate degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Social Science degree from Suny Buffalo as well as an Associate degree from New York City College of Technology in Ophthalmic Dispensing.
Mr. Friedman is affiliated with New York State Society of Opticians and the Optical Alliance of New York. He is on the committee for the Vision Technology self-study program associated with William H. Maxwell Career & Technical Education High School and Clara Barton High School. On a personal note, Mr. Friedman is a Free and Accepted Mason for the past 30 years.
Francine Doti
Dr. Francine Doti is a clinical optometrist and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the vision care technology program. She is a licensed optometrist in the state of New York. Dr. Doti earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from New York University and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York College of Optometry. She has been in practice in NYC for over twenty-five years. Read More
Francine Doti
Dr. Francine Doti is a clinical optometrist and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the vision care technology program. She is a licensed optometrist in the state of New York. Dr. Doti earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from New York University and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York College of Optometry. She has been in practice in NYC for over twenty-five years.
Herbert Fletcher
Herbert Fletcher works for Younger Optics, the world's last remaining independently owned lens manufacturers, as a Transitions Brand Ambassador. He started in the optical field in 1987 with L'Amy, as a warehouse manager and then entered the Opticianry program at Middlesex Community College in 1989, passed the ABO and NCLE exams in 1990, and participated in a Contact Lens Fellowship Program at Yale University Contact Lens Clinic. Read More
Herbert Fletcher
Herbert Fletcher works for Younger Optics, the world's last remaining independently owned lens manufacturers, as a Transitions Brand Ambassador. He started in the optical field in 1987 with L'Amy, as a warehouse manager and then entered the Opticianry program at Middlesex Community College in 1989, passed the ABO and NCLE exams in 1990, and participated in a Contact Lens Fellowship Program at Yale University Contact Lens Clinic. He graduated with Honors in 1991, passed the State Licensing Exam in 1992, and has worked in the Optical Community for the last 32 years.
During his years in the industry, he has proctored the State Licensing Exam for over 10 years, taught review courses for the State Licensing Exam, and has tutored many opticians for their ABO, NCLE and State Licensing Exams. He is also an ABO Certified Speaker and has presented hundreds of in-office presentations to educate doctors and staff about the importance of vision and our responsibility to it. He has worked for Independent Guild Opticians, ophthalmology practices, small chains, national chains, and as Lab Rep.
He enjoys working for an independent manufacturer and having the opportunity to work with people from around his territory who have different perspectives on the profession. He is currently a member of the advisory committee for Middlesex Community College. I am a member of the COA and SOCO, both Opticianry organizations in CT.
Farhana Akhtar
Farhana Akhtar is a 2008 graduate of City Tech's VCT program and earned a bachelor's degree in health services administration with Cum Laude Honors. She is a Licensed Dispensing Optician (LDO) in both Eyewear and Contact Lenses and has been in the optical field for 15 years. She also managed several chains throughout NYC and is currently with LensCrafters as a Licensed Optician and former Store Market Manager. Read More
Farhana Akhtarr
Farhana Akhtar is a 2008 graduate of City Tech's VCT program and earned a bachelor's degree in health services administration with Cum Laude Honors. She is a Licensed Dispensing Optician (LDO) in both Eyewear and Contact Lenses and has been in the optical field for 15 years. She also managed several chains throughout NYC and is currently with LensCrafters as a Licensed Optician and former Store Market Manager.
Natalia Jimenez
Natalia Jimenez is originally from Bogota, Colombia. She obtained an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from City Tech in 2013. Natalia worked in a small private practice in Baldwin, Long Island for a year before earning her New York license, and then moved on to Lenscrafters as an optician. Read More
Natalia Jimenez
Natalia Jimenez is originally from Bogota, Colombia. She obtained an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from City Tech in 2013. Natalia worked in a small private practice in Baldwin, Long Island for a year before earning her New York license, and then moved on to Lenscrafters as an optician. In 2015, she received her Bachelor's in Health Care Administration, started a position at Long Island Pediatric of Ophthalmology, and in 2018 began teaching at City Tech as an adjunct professor in the dispensing clinic and materials labs — where she taught for three years. Natalias responsibilities included teaching students not only how to neutralize lenses, but also edging and adjusting frames. She became very passionate about working with students from different backgrounds and discovered that one of her strengths is the ability to share her knowledge and experience. In June of 2020, during the pandemic, Natalia received a master's degree in Health Care Administration at Saint Joseph College.
Irma Lopez
Irma Lopez is a graduate of the Vision Care Program at New York City College of Technology and earned her Ophthalmic Dispensing License in 2016. Completing the program was an incredible journey that shaped her to be the optician that she is today. Read More
Irma Lopez
Irma Lopez is a graduate of the Vision Care Program at New York City College of Technology and earned her Ophthalmic Dispensing License in 2016. Completing the program was an incredible journey that shaped her to be the optician that she is today. She started in the field as a technician and is now a Licensed Team Lead at LensCrafters at the Wall Street location. She has been in this field for six years and enjoys helping clients with their vision needs. She feels that finding a stylish pair of glasses is an art! She is looking forward to serving on the Vision Care Advisory Council at City Tech and giving back to the place where it all began.
Ciera Watford
Ciera Watford is a licensed Optician in New York and a certified CTE educator. She is also a graduate of the Vision Care Technology and Health Services Administration program at City Tech. Read More
Irma Lopez
Ciera Watford is a licensed Optician in New York and a certified CTE educator. She is also a graduate of the Vision Care Technology and Health Services Administration program at City Tech. After graduating from the VCT program, Ms. Watford worked in various optical settings, such as private optometric offices and nursing homes, as she gained valuable experience as an Optician. Currently, Ms. Watford teaches Vision Technology in the two-year high school program. Her passion for teaching Vision Technology to others began three years ago when she used her social media platforms to host virtual ABO preparation sessions and work as a social media influencer for Transitions Optical.
Drew Paul
Drew Paul has a BSBA from Northeastern University and an AAS from the VCT program at New York City College of Technology. He began working in the optical field during college as a part time Lab Tech at LensCrafters. Read More
Drew Paul
Drew Paul has a BSBA from Northeastern University and an AAS from the VCT program at New York City College of Technology. He began working in the optical field during college as a part time Lab Tech at LensCrafters. After spending his first few years postgrad in various sales jobs, outside of the industry, he decided to get back to the optical world and enrolled in City Tech's VCT program. During his time at City Tech, he also worked as a part time optical salesmen for Tortoise and Blonde, and since graduating from City Tech in 2016, he has been working for Shamir Insight as an Account Executive. His role at Shamir pairs his optical knowledge and outside sales skills. He enjoys working with ECPs across the tri-state area to teach them about new lens technology and how to better grow their business. He is excited to be a member of the VCT Advisory Board and hopes that his experience will be of service to the department and students at City Tech.
Mark Kaplan
Mark Kaplan is the senior sales representative for Coburn Technology, a diversified manufacturer of lens surfacing products and the distributor of the Huvitz brand of lens edging and diagnostic products. Read More
Mark Kaplan
Mark Kaplan is the senior sales representative for Coburn Technology, a diversified manufacturer of lens surfacing products and the distributor of the Huvitz brand of lens edging and diagnostic products.
Since 1988, Mark has established relationships with Opticians, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists in the New York and New Jersey areas, originally in ophthalmic laser modalities. He excels in sales, product knowledge, application and customer service to his customers.
Mark takes pride in his associations with schools, educators and students. He has made >1000 eyeglasses at the Special Olympics in New York and Connecticut and enjoys training his customers on the products he represents. He has a BA in Chemistry and a minor in Biology and Math.
You can connect with Mark via email, mark.kaplan@coburntechnologies.com or by calling him at 516-238-2232.