About Us.

An entrepreneur and leader in the eye care community for more than 30 years, Al is best known as a leader, innovator and problem solver. No stranger to the power of groups, he is credited with inventing the Buying Group segment of the vision care industry when he founded Co-optics of America, the first national optometric buying group. The founder of several industry businesses, he has experience at all levels of the industry, from manufacturing to retailing, from frames to lenses, from publishing to managed care services. An experienced business strategist, he has an extensive background in business planning, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and relationship structuring. A frequent industry motivational lecturer and prolific author, he has been a contributing editor to Optometric Management and Eye Care Business magazine.

Pam has more than 25 years of experience in management, accounting and computer operations. Prior to joining Cleinman Performance Partners, she was Controller and Operations Manager for a world leader in the porcelain doll and hobby ceramics business, responsible for all financial operations of five domestic and foreign companies. Prior to that, Pam was a business manager, staff accountant and office manager for several companies, including public accounting firms in New York, Texas and Arizona.  Pam attended Phoenix College and the State University at Oneonta where she studied Accounting and Business. Pam has two adult sons and enjoys skiing, biking and gardening. 

Michael has over 15 years of broad-based marketing experience, with particular expertise in financial services; direct mail subscription promotion; “guru” marketing and web-based marketing.  He was most recently the Director of Marketing for Value Line, the venerable subscription-based financial publisher.  There, he was responsible for a marketing budget of $15 million and initiated a number of key projects, including the development of new subscription promotions involving over 1 million mailing pieces per month.

Prior to Value Line, Michael was, for more than seven years, the Manager and then Director of Marketing and Communications for Domini Social Investments, where he directed the development and implementation of this “guru” investment fund’s marketing plan; including major shifts in direction, strategies and tactics.  Prior to his work in the investment community, Michael spent six years in a variety of capacities for several marketing and communications consulting firms, where he was responsible for everything from producing creative to account management.  Michael holds a BBA in Marketing with a concentration in Advertising and Promotion from Pace University and an MBA in Marketing from Baruch College

Dan joins Team Cleinman with 20 years of client and business development experience, most recently as President and Chief Development Officer for ResultOne Communications, where Dan was responsible for day-to-day operations and the development of key client relationships. Dan’s professional background emphasizes strategic planning, sales support, market research, promotions and branding. Prior to his tenure at ResultOne, Dan was VP Marketing and Business Development for Admiral Services, a Pittsburgh-based company that sells municipal safety products in collaboration with local 911 centers. Dan brings years of experience working with small business owners in the development of their businesses. He holds a B.A. in Community Organization from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota and an M.A. in Marketing Communications Management from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.

Rebecca comes to us with experience in both newspaper and radio sales. She also has extensive background in the banking industry, everything from administration to loan origination.

A native of the Whitney Point area, Rebecca has long time affiliations with the Rotary Club and various fundraising projects that have benefitted our region.

Kathleen has almost 20 years experience collaborating with diverse organizations to significantly benefit communities through initiatives in the arts, education, tourism, preservation, agriculture and social services. She was most recently Executive Director of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, where she was responsible for the planning and management of this regional arts center, including a school for the arts, three galleries, several grant programs, a film festival, afterschool programming, and the activities of ArtsOtsego, a consortium of 17 cultural organizations. Previously, Kathleen worked with the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship, furthering the organic and family farm agenda through business development and marketing initiatives. Kathleen is a graduate of Hartwick College, with a BA in English Literature.

Johanna joins Team Cleinman with over 4 years of experience in the Life & Health Insurance field.  Her experience ranges from oversight of service department teams, to the coordination, management and implementation of commercial employee benefits programs. She has specific experience in employee benefits programs for small to mid-size companies, including medical and dental practices.

Matt has an extensive background in communications, insurance and legal services.  Recently Matt worked for an Estate Planning Law Firm, specializing in client services and office management.  Before the law firm, Matt worked at a well known insurance company providing analytical skills to their legal department to help develop a deeper understanding of insurance payouts pertaining to specific injury types.

Scott will be responsible for all things technical at Cleinman Performance Partners. He is charged with taking our existing technologies to the highest level of reliability while working with our various managers in the development and implementation of new software/hardware solutions. A computer software and hardware professional for over ten years, Scott comes to Team Cleinman from his role as a systems administrator for one of the areas largest firms, New York Central Mutual Insurance.

Phernell is President & CEO of Pure Optics, LLC (dba Opticredits.com). He is author of the text-book, Pure Optics, which is in its Second Edition. Mr. Walker is a Master in Ophthalmic Optics (A.B.O.M.), a graduate of Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida with an Associate Applied Science Degree in Opticianry (A.A.S) and National Contact Lens Examiners Certified (NCLC).

Mr. Walker is a graduate of the Ophthalmic Technology School with a diploma as an Ophthalmic Technician from Bryman College San Francisco, California. Considered an authority and expert in advanced geometric and applied optics. He serves as a faculty member for the American Association of Dispensing Ophthalmologists (AADO). He has served as an item writer for the American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certification (ABO-AC) Exam. He has lectured extensively nationwide to include such venues of prestigious faculties as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, International Vision Expo in New York & Las Vegas, Eye Quest in Chicago, private consulting and numerous over state society conventions. He has authored over 200 articles for such publications as Vision Care Products News Magazine and Ophthalmology Times. In January 2004, Mr. Walker was honored in Vision Monday's "Forty Under Forty", listing forty of the nations brightest, innovative ECP's Eye Care Professionals in the country under the age of forty.