Lifetime Achievement Award

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W. Anthony Martin

Title: Worldwide Vice President of Research and Development, Retired
Industry: Medical Devices
Type of Organization: Medical Devices
Major Product/Service: Contact lens development and manufacturing
Expertise: With over 35 years experience, Mr. Martin specialized in polymer chemistry, processing, contact lens development and manufacturing. He helped create gas permeable, disposable and daily disposable contact lenses as well as the market's leading silicon hydrogel lens, ACCUVUE® OASYS®.
Geographic Area of Distribution: International
Affiliations: A.C.S.
University/Degree: B.S., University of Florida, 1979
Born: Miami, Florida
Hobbies/Sports: Sailing, travel, photography, cooking
Children: Alisha, Grant
Work History: Mr. Martin began his career with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in 1984 and retired in March 2015.
Honors & Awards: Recipient, two Johnson & Johnson Medals for the development of the ACUVUE® Disposable Contact Lens, 1992 and for the development of 1-Day ACCUVUE®, 1997; Recipient, British Contact Lens Association Award, 2015
Career Accomplishments: Mr. Martin was one of 3 finalists for the British Contact Lens Association Industry Award for entrepreneurial work in contact lens science, research and technology in 2014. He received the highest technical recognition awards from Johnson & Johnson and helped them drive the evolution of the contact lens industry through a number of game-changing technologies and innovations. He is recognized globally across the industry for his accomplishments and contributions. Mr. Martin is sometimes referred to as "the father of disposable contact lenses."