Bausch + Lomb Names Sheila A. Hopkins Global President Vision Care

ROCHESTER, New York, September 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Peter Valenti III Assumes Responsibility for North America Vision Care

Steven Robins to Lead Global Vision Care Marketing

Bausch + Lomb, the global eye health company, has named Sheila Hopkins Global President of the company's Vision Care business, and two of the company's senior executives - Peter Valenti III and Steven Robins - have assumed new roles within the organization.  Hopkins will oversee the company's contact lens and lens care product offerings, which include such well-known brand names as Biotrue™, PureVision® and renu®.  Valenti will lead North American Vision Care as President and Robins has been named Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Global Vision Care.

"Sheila Hopkins is a world-class marketer and leader with extensive experience launching and building global brands among consumers and professionals," said Brent L. Saunders, chief executive officer, Bausch + Lomb.  "We're in the midst of an exciting transformation at Bausch + Lomb; Sheila will help us both maximize the potential of our existing products, and successfully launch breakthrough innovations from the most promising new product pipeline we have had in decades."

Hopkins has built global brands such as Colgate and Oil of Olay through hands-on leadership roles in both retail- and professional-facing companies. She will be based at the company's Vision Care headquarters in Rochester, N.Y., and will report to Saunders.  

"I am excited to be joining Bausch + Lomb at such a pivotal time in the company's history," said Hopkins. "We have an iconic brand, a robust portfolio of innovative products and an inspiring mission that together hold great promise for consumers and professionals around the world."

Immediately prior to joining Bausch + Lomb, Hopkins spent 14 years with Colgate-Palmolive Company in a variety of roles including Vice President and General Manager, Personal Care; Vice President of Global Business Development; and most recently as Vice President, General Manager, Professional Oral Care.  During her tenure, Hopkins grew revenues and profits for consumer and professional brands and helped reinvigorate the company's new product innovation stream.    

Hopkins also spent more than seven years at Procter & Gamble where she led marketing for the company's skin care brands including Oil of Olay, Clearasil and Noxzema.  Earlier in her career, Hopkins worked for American Cyanamid in a variety of product, marketing and sales roles including Director of National Accounts where she was responsible for customers such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target and Walgreen's.

Hopkins has also held roles at Tambrands and Revlon, and she has served on the Board of Directors for Warnaco since July 2003.  She is a graduate of Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where she earned her bachelors degree in History.    

"Sheila is joining a seasoned team of industry experts within our Vision Care business.  Pete Valenti has been instrumental in revitalizing that business over the last couple of years, and his considerable talents will help us achieve great things in North America," said Saunders.  "We're also fortunate to have an executive of Steven Robins' caliber and experience in place to lead our Global Vision Care Marketing efforts at this critical time."

Hopkins added, "I'm excited to be working with Pete, Steven, and the rest of the global Vision Care team as we work together to accelerate our performance and deliver the quality products and services that customers expect from Bausch + Lomb."

Valenti joined Bausch + Lomb in January 2009 from Covidien where he led U.S. sales and marketing strategy for the company's $1 billion product portfolio.  Prior to Covidien, he spent 12 years with Johnson & Johnson in a variety of U.S. and international roles, and earlier in his career he held brand management roles with Procter & Gamble Co.  

Robins arrived at Bausch + Lomb shortly after Valenti in May 2009 with approximately two decades of consumer healthcare experience at leading companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Warner Lambert.  During his career, Robins has held marketing and category management leadership positions within established brands, and he spent time at Young & Rubicam, the global advertising agency.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at http://www.bausch.com.

News Media Contacts:

Adam Grossberg
Bausch + Lomb
+1-973-360-6439 or adam.grossberg@bausch.com

Elizabeth Murphy
Bausch + Lomb
+1-585-338-8528 or elizabeth.murphy@bausch.com