PDS Optical

09/12/2025

Our CEO, Sean Loosen , recently talked to the Tampa Bay Business Journal about expanded healthcare benefits for millions of US Veterans, including comprehensive vision and eye care benefits (screenshot).
More on the PACT Act and VA Benefits here: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

09/09/2025

We're excited to shine a light on this week's PDS Optical Optician of the Week, Thomas!

A little bit about this week's recipient...
Thomas is very reliable and has a very positive outlook. He provides the highest level of customer service to the Veterans in Honolulu. Thomas is part of a very cohesive team of opticians in Hawaii.

Thomas said, "I enjoy working for PDS Optical, because I appreciate the opportunity to serve our Veterans as they have given so much of themselves in the past. It's nice to give back."

We appreciate all you do for our Veterans, Thomas. Thank you!

08/21/2025

Veterans serving Veterans is a pretty cool formula for success...

This week, we'd like to highlight Alrick Gauze, a Veteran AND our PDS Optical Optician of the Week.

"Alrick is a Veteran and an optician. He is a one-man show, in a very busy location. To say he is class act, is an understatement. He is kind, caring and takes the time to educate his fellow Veterans on what would work best for their vision needs."
~PDS colleague

08/15/2025

Taking a moment to highlight our PDS Optical Optician of the Week.

Betty Proctor is just one example of our shining stars, who touch the lives of so many Veterans she interacts with.

Betty has been with PDS Optical for 3 years and she's made a positive impact from her first day. She works in a one-person location, so she juggles a lot and does it with grace.

Betty delivers on our mission to serve our Veterans with Pride, Dignity and exceptional Service. ❤️ 🤍 💙

Thank you, Betty!

08/08/2025

Good feeling Friday...highlighting Dawn, our PDS Optical Optician of the Week.

"Working with Veterans has humbled me and shown me a different level of appreciation," said Dawn.

Dawn's manager said the following, "Since Dawn joined us 12 years ago, she handles SOO much, as she's the lead optician for the entire Houston area, 8 locations in total. The Veterans love her. I just recently had an email sent to me that named her and another optician by name, thanking us for the exceptional service both offered to the patient."

Dawn is a shining example of living our mission; to serve our nation's Veterans with Pride, Dignity and Service. 🇺🇸

08/08/2025

Quick favor...we're still in the competition for Florida Chamber of Commerce's "Coolest thing made in Florida" contest.
We're in the round of 16 and would really appreciate your vote 🙏
As you may have heard, we make prescription glasses for across the US and we're committed to doing so, with Pride, Dignity and Service.
We think that's pretty cool and worth voting for 😀
We appreciate your support! 🇺🇲
https://coolestthingmadeinflorida.com/
(click the "bracket voting open" button in the lower right and scroll down to PDS Optical and hit the button - that's it)

Coolest Thing Made in Florida Celebrating Innovation, Growth, and Manufacturing Excellence Voting Is Now Open! The Top 16 products have been revealed — and now it's your turn to decide who moves one step closer to becoming the

08/05/2025

Stories like below make us awfully proud on so many levels. We're incredibly grateful to have people like Cristina Caudle, a PDS Optical Optician based in Kerrville, TX, on our team and out in the community.

(internal email to staff from Cristina's manager)

Dear Team,

We’d like to take a moment to highlight the incredible compassion, strength, and service demonstrated by one of our very own opticians in Kerrville, Texas. While she humbly calls this a “sappy moment,” it is truly a reflection of the heart and grit that define our team.

Following the devastating July 4th flood that impacted Kerrville, Hunt, Centerpoint, and much of the Hill Country, Christina not only returned to work with resilience but stepped up in extraordinary ways, volunteering her time after hours to repair eyewear for flood victims and search teams across the community.

Working with tools she’s carried for over 30 years and using the tailgate of her truck as a makeshift workstation, she became known locally as “the fixer”—adjusting and repairing glasses in food distribution centers, parking lots, churches, and command posts.

While reflecting on the loss endured by the community, including a Veteran seen recently in clinic who also lost his home, she was moved to share her gratitude:

“I want my coworkers to know how much I appreciate them. Your concern and support have meant more than I can express. You keep me going.”

She specifically extends heartfelt thanks to:

Frank Aguirre, Mark Rivas, Tina Wilson, Casandra Flores, Margo Horner, Kathy Wellman, and Erin Miller.

Your words, actions, and encouragement made a lasting difference during a time when it was needed most.

This message serves not only as a thank you, but as a reminder of the power of community and the impact of kindness. As she so beautifully stated:

“Together, we are Hill Country Strong.”

Please join us in recognizing this outstanding teammate for her unwavering commitment to our Veterans, our mission, and her community.

Her example reminds us of our mission to serve our Veterans with PRIDE, DIGNITY, AND SERVICE and those actions can also take place outside of their VA visits.

07/31/2025

We Did It – 1 Million Pairs and Counting! 🎉 👓

We’re proud to share that PDS Optical has officially made our 1 millionth pair of prescription glasses this calendar year!

That’s one million pairs of high-quality eyewear, crafted with Pride, Dignity, and Service – for the incredible U.S. Veterans we are honored to serve every day.

This milestone isn’t just a number – it’s a reflection of the trust placed in us by Veterans across the country and the dedication of our AMAZING TEAM.

To every employee, partner, and Veteran who made this moment possible: THANK YOU. 🙏

Here’s to better vision, continued impact, and the next million pairs. 👓 🇺🇸

Pics from yesterday's celebratory lunch, which was much-deserved and a lot of fun. 😀

07/29/2025

This week's Optician of the Week comes highly regarded from within AND also the Veterans she interacts with daily.

Teresa joined PDS Optical in 2021 and works at the Washington D.C. VA. Colleagues and Veterans say she's patient, knowledgeable and reliable.

Congrats Teresa and thank you for making a positive impact on those around you! 🙏

07/17/2025

Meet Royce Miller, our Optician of the Week. Royce is a traveling Optician, working with Veterans across Northern California.

We receive a ton of positive feedback about him, which is such a nice compliment about him and his service to our Veterans.

Congrats and thanks for all YOU do, Royce!

07/15/2025

We're excited to make it to the round of 32 🎉 and couldn't have made it without your support!
If you have a minute, we'd love your vote, so we can keep "dancing" 😀.
This is fun for us - appreciate it!
https://coolestthingmadeinflorida.com/bracket-32/

🚨 It’s Official — The Top 32 Have Been Unveiled! 🚨

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced the Top 32 finalists in the statewide Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition — and bracket-style voting is now underway.

In this video message, Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson reveals the finalists advancing to the bracket and highlights how Florida-made products are fueling innovation, job creation, and economic growth across the state.

📺 Watch the bracket reveal and vote now: https://youtu.be/0UHdWHDNlK8?si=fU78UqPf3muzrcCm

These products represent a wide range of sectors — from aerospace and robotics to consumer goods and clean energy — and reflect the strength of Florida’s manufacturing ecosystem.

🗳️ Vote once per day now through July 28 to help decide which products move forward. https://coolestthingmadeinflorida.com/

Together, we’re advancing Florida’s talent pipeline, strengthening supply chains, and working toward our goal of becoming a Top 5 manufacturing state by 2030.

07/15/2025

Supporting Veterans is at the core of what we do and who we are. Customer feedback (like below) drives us to be the best, for our Veterans.
James (Veteran) mentions he liked having more choices / selections to choose from, including upgrades.
Customer feedback helps us, help serve YOU. 🫵
Thank you for your service JD. 🇺🇸
And thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us and leave a Google review. 🙏