Smart & Final exec joins c-suite at National Vision Holdings

National Vision Holdings has appointed a chief marketing officer.

Joe VanDette has joined the optical retailer as chief marketing officer, He is responsible for leading the company’s marketing function including strategic brand management, CRM, advertising and media, digital marketing, e-commerce and research/insights.

Most recently, VanDette served as chief marketing and digital officer for Smart & Final, where he was responsible for driving business transformation and customer engagement. Prior to Smart & Final, which he joined in 2014, VanDette held various leadership roles in marketing, strategy, and consumer analytics for Toys “R” Us.

“Joe is a talented individual with an impressive track record of using data-driven customer-centric approaches to drive business expansion,” said Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision. “We expect he will fit in well with and be an impressive contributor to the National Vision culture.”

National Vision Holdings is the second largest optical retail company in the United States (by sales) with more than 1,200 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico. The company operates five retail brands: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vision Centers (inside select Walmart stores) and Vista Opticals (inside select Fred Meyer stores) and on military bases.

“National Vision is doing important work that impacts people’s lives profoundly, and I am thrilled to be part of that,” said Joe VanDette. “I look forward to working with the entire National Vision team to further elevate the brands and advance the mission of helping people see their best to live their best.”