Safilo Group – one of the eyewear industry’s principal players in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of optical frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, goggles, and helmets – has appointed Francesco Rinaldi Ceroni as the President & Chief Commercial Officer for the North American market, effective from June 1st, 2022, following the retirement of Steve Wright.

Rinaldi Ceroni, who has extensive wholesale and retail experience in the eyewear industry, having also served as VP, International Strategy & Business Development at Costa Del Mar during a significant period of expansion, joined Safilo in June 2020 as Global General Manager of Smith Optics, today Safilo’s biggest brand in the portfolio. Francesco will retain responsibility for Smith as President of Smith Optics, while Mark Phares, currently Director of Global Wholesale Channel for Smith, has been promoted to General Manager for Smith Optics, reporting to Francesco.