Candidates announce 2025 election bids for AOA Board of Trustees

Read about the six doctors of optometry seeking positions on the AOA Board of Trustees during voting at Optometry’s Meeting® 2025 in Minneapolis, June 25-28.

Teri K. Geist, O.D., of Nebraska, has filed for the office of president-elect. Dr. Geist was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 122nd Annual AOA Congress & 49th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting® in June 2019 and elected to the office of secretary-treasurer during the 126th Annual AOA Congress & 53rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2023. As a member of the board, Dr. Geist serves as chair of the Finance Committee and is a member of the 401(k) Committee, the Executive Committee, the Investment Committee, and the AOA Advocacy Roundtable Committee. Dr. Geist serves on The AOA Foundation’s Board of Directors and is the liaison trustee to the Education Center Committee, the Health Policy Institute, the Advocacy Committee, the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification, the Paraoptometric Resource Center Committee, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and the National Optometric Association. She also serves as the liaison trustee to affiliate associations in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Additionally, she is the liaison trustee to optometry schools including the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry and University of Houston College of Optometry. 

“Through decades of volunteer service and my time on the AOA Board since 2019, I have been honored to work alongside optometry’s dedicated leaders as we advance our profession and fulfill our mission. The journey hasn’t been without challenges, but when I reflect on how far we’ve come—from landmark advocacy victories at both the state and federal levels to our expanding, primary eye health care role—I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. What excites me most are the opportunities ahead. I am squarely focused on the strategies we employ to seize our position as the solution to the rising demand for eye care among our aging population. I am energized by our momentum in advocating for expanded scope, coverage and reimbursement fairness and regulatory issues. But we need every doctor engaged. It is essential we foster open, transparent dialogue with both members and nonmembers to strengthen our collective impact. I am committed to bringing our nonmember colleagues on this journey with us, as we are always stronger together. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, oftentimes filled with misinformation, we must break through to the public about who we are and the critical care we provide. Our Eye Deserve More campaign is a powerful platform, and I am committed to building on our efforts with bold, creative approaches to public awareness. Optometry is a strong, vibrant profession. Through continued advocacy, visibility, and engagement, I know we will meet the future with boldness, unity and vision.”

Terri A. Gossard, O.D., M.S., of Ohio, has filed for the office of vice president. Dr. Gossard was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 122nd Annual AOA Congress & 49th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting in June 2019 and reelected as trustee during the 126th Annual AOA Congress & 53rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting® in June 2023. She serves on the Investment Committee, Constitution & Bylaws Committee and Finance Committee. She also is the board liaison to the AOA Federal Relations Committee, Third Party Center Executive Committee, Membership Development Committee and Advocacy Roundtable Committee. She serves as board liaison to affiliate associations: Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services and in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the New England College of Optometry and the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

“As a candidate for Vice President of the American Optometric Association, my goals for the coming year center on strengthening the foundation of our profession while boldly advancing its future. I am committed to supporting meaningful scope expansion, advocating for fair and sustainable vision care policies, and promoting leadership within optometry at every level. Ensuring that our members have the tools, resources and representation they need to provide exceptional patient care is at the heart of this work. With a focus on collaboration, advocacy and accountability, I look forward to building on the momentum of our collective efforts to elevate and protect the vital role of optometry in health care. I’ve always viewed board service as the heartbeat of the American Optometric Association. It ensures our profession has strong leadership—leaders who understand the challenges optometrists face and who are deeply committed to advancing our scope, strengthening our voice and making sure every member feels supported and empowered. We often talk about advocacy as the AOA’s mission, but few can succinctly define what advocacy really is. My favorite definition is: 'changing the way things are to the way things should be.' That’s the work I’m passionate about—and I look forward to continuing to get it done.”

Curtis A. Ono, O.D., of Washington, has filed for secretary-treasurer. Dr. Ono was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the annual meeting of the House of Delegates on June 22, 2020, and he was reelected as trustee during the 126th Annual AOA Congress & 53rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2023. As a member of the AOA Board of Trustees, Dr. Ono is a member of the Investment Committee, Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Finance Committee.  Dr. Ono also serves on the AOA Foundation's Board of Directors. Dr. Ono is the liaison trustee to the Sports & Performance Vision Committee, Third Party Center Executive Committee, Coding and Reimbursement Committee, Faculty & Student Membership Liaisons, Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, World Council of Optometry and American Board of Optometry. He also serves as the liaison trustee to affiliate associations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas and the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services. Additionally, he is the liaison trustee to optometry schools including Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry, New England College of Optometry and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions College of Optometry.

“As a candidate for AOA Secretary-Treasurer, I am dedicated to the thoughtful and transparent management of our financial resources to strengthen both our association and the optometric profession. I will work to support strategic investments that advance our mission, provide our members with tools for professional and practice success, and raise the standard of eye and vision care nationwide. Over the past five years, it has been both an honor and a privilege to serve on the AOA Board of Trustees. During this time, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of our affiliates and the strength that comes from collaboration between the AOA and affiliated associations. Together, we have protected and advanced optometry in powerful ways — and I believe that spirit of partnership will continue to shape our future. There has never been a more exciting or important time to be part of the optometric community, and I am energized by the opportunity to continue serving and leading at this pivotal moment.”

Marrie S. Read, O.D., MBA, of the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS), has filed for trustee reelection. Dr. Read was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 125th Annual AOA Congress & 52nd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2022. As a member of the AOA Board of Trustees, Dr. Read serves on the AOA Foundation Board of Directors as secretary/treasurer and is the liaison trustee to the Education Center Committee, the State Government Relations Committee, the Membership Development Committee, the Community and Engagement Advisory Committee, Opportunities in Optometry, the Optometric Historical Society, Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety and National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She also serves as the liaison trustee to affiliate associations in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the AOSA. Additionally, she is the liaison trustee to optometry schools including the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, Midwestern University of Arizona College of Optometry, and Salus at Drexel University Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

“Serving as a trustee of the American Optometric Association has been an incredible honor, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to protect and advance our profession. As I seek reelection, my focus remains clear: to support optometrists, strengthen our role in health care and always put the doctor-patient relationship first. In the coming year, I’ll continue working to expand scope of practice so every OD can provide the full range of care they’re trained for—no matter where they practice. I’ll keep fighting to defeat harmful ‘not-a-doctor' bills that attempt to diminish our profession and mislead the public. And I’ll advocate for reimbursement and coverage fairness that reflects the true value of the patient care we provide every day. Looking ahead, I also want to ensure that optometry continues to lead in adopting new technologies —tools that can enhance patient outcomes, increase efficiency, and help us deliver even greater value in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.  We’ve had some great successes, but there’s still more to do. Together, with a clear vision and strong advocacy, we will keep advancing our profession and protecting the future of optometry.”

Jon Pederson, O.D., of Colorado, has filed for trustee election. Dr. Pederson has dedicated more than 20 years of volunteer service to the Colorado Optometric Association (COA), the AOA and his community.  He has held many positions within the COA, most notably as co-chair of the legislative committee since 2015. He was instrumental in passing both vision plan and scope legislation in Colorado. He has assisted many other states in their legislative efforts as a member and vice chair of AOA’s State Government Relations Committee. Dr. Pederson was on the COA Board of Trustees for nine years and served as president from 2017-2018. He is a past recipient of the Young Optometrist of the Year, Key Person of the Year, and Optometrist of the Year awards from the COA and was awarded Optometrist of the Year by both the Great Western Council of Optometry and the AOA in 2023. He has served as a federal keyperson, AOA-PAC representative, and on the AOA HOD Resolutions Committee.  He graduated with honors from Pacific University College of Optometry and completed residency training at the Portland VA Medical Center. After beginning his career in academia and the Veterans Administration, he chose to join his father in a private group practice in Centennial, Colorado.  He remains active within the public health sector, serving as a 20-year volunteer doctor at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Stout Street Clinic and as the consultant optometrist for the Fort Logan Mental Health Hospital. He teaches and trains student interns as adjunct faculty for several optometry schools.

“If given the privilege to serve on the AOA Board of Trustees, I would work tirelessly to foster the incredible mission-driven culture that exists within the volunteer structure.  I will remain willing to engage with anyone, especially those who differ from me in their views or goals. I will be humble, respectful and empathetic with colleagues and others I interact with in this role.  I will never pretend to have all the answers, because I don’t.  I will listen to and value the input of volunteers, AOA staff and the thousands of doctors that the AOA represents and fights for.  My background is heavily focused on advocacy, which will continue to be a passion, but I will serve as an ear and voice for any and all areas of concern that may arise among our colleagues.  Our profession has a bright but ever-evolving future, and I hope to be an integral part in expanding and protecting a profession that has given so much to me.  I have been very fortunate to have learned from some of the AOA's strongest advocates, and if given the privilege to serve as a trustee, I hope I can similarly help inspire some of our next leaders. My goals are simple. I want to keep our profession moving forward, and I am willing to put in the work to accomplish that as a good listener, team player and problem solver.” 

Amy Puerto, O.D., of Louisiana, has filed for trustee election. Named the 2023 AOA Young Optometrist of the Year and 2022 Louisiana Young OD of the Year, Dr. Puerto currently serves as immediate past president of the Optometry Association of Louisiana, where she led the organization through post-pandemic recovery, structural modernization, and significant legislative wins. She developed and directed an ocular disease and surgery-focused residency program, serves as an adjunct professor at Southern College of Optometry, and is focused on building a bridge for her patients between systemic health, mental wellness, and visual function. On the national stage, she serves on the AOA Leadership Development Committee and previously on the AOA Industry Relations Committee. Her service spans beyond optometry—she served two terms as president of the Junior League of Greater Covington, steering the organization through significant policy, financial and membership transitions. She also served two terms on the Girls on the Run South Louisiana Young Professionals Board, has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and is a member of the Metairie Lions Club, where she regularly mentors student volunteers from Louisiana State University and Tulane medical schools on comprehensive eye care throughout the greater New Orleans community. For her professional and community work, Dr. Puerto was selected for the 2024 Leadership Louisiana program, a prestigious year-long initiative that brings together top leaders and policymakers to address the state’s most pressing issues. At Southern College of Optometry, she held four terms as class president, was elected AOSA Trustee, and served as president of Gold Key International Optometric Leadership Honor Society. She’s been honored as a 2022 Northshore 40 Under 40 and one of the inaugural Association of Junior Leagues International's 40 Under 40 in 2024. 

“For nearly 15 years, I’ve watched the AOA Board of Trustees answer the call to protect and advance our profession—and now, I’m ready to do the same. As someone who’s practiced contemporary optometry since day one, I know what’s possible when we are empowered to practice at the highest level. I want to bring that mindset—and the concerns, insights and energy of today’s ODs—to the table. As an AOA Trustee, my mission is to champion fair reimbursement, combat legislation that aims to undermine our recognition as physicians, and boldly support full-scope practice in every state. I will advocate for smart integration of emerging technologies—before they become disrupters—to keep optometry leading, not catching up. I will call out policies and entities that harm the doctor-patient relationship and amplify our profession’s value as the primary eye care providers to the public and our policymakers alike. My responsibility is not just to protect our livelihood today, but to strategically secure optometry’s future by anticipating and addressing the internal and external threats ahead. I believe strong, articulate and collaborative leadership is the key to moving forward. With a background in legislative advocacy and nonprofit board leadership, I bring not just experience—but a readiness for the call to action steadied by teamwork, resilience and an unwavering enthusiasm. I’m running not only to represent my generation of optometrists, but also to unify all of us, from every corner of the country, every stage of our careers and all modalities of practice. Together, we can shape a bold and thriving future for optometry!”

Belinda Starkey, O.D., of Arkansas, AOA trustee since 2021, announced on March 1 her decision to withdraw as a trustee candidate in 2025. Dr. Starkey has served with distinction as a state and national volunteer leader, making historic contributions to the profession’s recognition and advancement. She will continue her AOA Board service through Optometry’s Meeting in June and fulfill her current term as president of The AOA Foundation. The AOA Board of Trustees and the entire membership extend their warmest, best wishes and deep appreciation to Dr. and Mr. Starkey and their proud family and friends.

There will be three trustee positions open for the 2024-2025 election cycle: two three-year trustee terms and a one-year trustee term.

Learn more about the governance of the AOA  and the House of Delegates, where the votes will be cast. Click here to register for Optometry’s Meeting.