Who We Are

Meet the staff of Spectacle Shop…

Jane M. Booker

Jane began her optical career in Blacksburg, VA at Hughes Optical in 1974 and following a Virginia State Apprenticeship received her Opticians license in 1976. Her 37 year career has covered manager positions over the years in Roanoke, Bedford, Lynchburg and Charlottesville. She has been with the Spectacle Shop for the past 20 years, working in most recent years between the three locations. Stop by when you have time, she loves to talk.

Jon Bright

President and owner of Spectacle Shop, Jon began his career with a degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing in 1977. He obtained his Virginia Optician License in 1977 and moved to the Charlottesville area in 1978 where he began his career at Keller and George Optical. Jon remained at Keller and George until 1984 when he became president of Spectacle Shop.

During Jon’s career, he has belonged to many organizations in our industry: Opticians Association of America, Opticians Association of Virginia, National Opticians Guild, and National Academy of Opticianry. He enjoyed his role as Chairman of the Virginia Board for Licensed Opticians from 1996 to 2011 while also serving as Chairman of the National Committee of State Opticianry Regulatory Boards from 1997 through 2010 and serving on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Opticians from 2008 to 2011.

Jon has also been involved in many associations in our community, including his role as past President of Thomas Jefferson Lions Club, and past President of the Charlottesville Downtown Foundation. He currently belongs to the Board of directors in Charlottesville Albemarle Chamber of Commerce since 2008.

Charles Dowell

Charles has been in the optical field for sixteen years, of which nine of those years have been with Spectacle Shop. He received his Virginia state license in 2004. He is a member of the American Board of Opticians, as well as a member of the Opticians Association of Virginia. He had the pleasure of serving in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1990 and was honorably discharged. In his spare time he teaches Taekwondo and women’s self defense classes.

Ralph Wayne Larson

Ralph received his Opticianry training in the US Navy in 1969. Upon leaving the military he moved to the Charlottesville area, where he worked for Keller & George Opticians for over a decade. He has been with Spectacle Shop since the doors opened in 1984. Until just last year he was a co-owner. He’s an avid outdoorsman in his spare time.

Amanda Martz

Amanda Martz has been part of the Spectacle Shop team since 2002. She received her Virginia State Optician’s license in 2006. She is a member of the American Board of Opticians as well as a member of the Opticians Association of Virginia. Known for her good fashion sense, she is remarkable at helping people select great eyewear.

Bill Poole

Bill started in the optical field as a Korean Veteran in U.S. Navy in 1958. He moved to Charlottesville in 1962 where he received his Opticians license from the state of Virginia. He has been part of the Spectacle Shop team for the last 20 years. Bill has never met a stranger, he loves chatting with everyone! You can find his smiling face floating between the three locations here in town.

Robyn Oder Schallon

Robyn, General Manager of Spectacle Shop, has an Opticianry degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She joined the Spectacle Shop team in 1997 and can be found daily at the Downtown location. Robyn has over 20 years of experience in her field, holds a Virginia Optician License, is a member of the American Board of Opticians (ABO) and the Opticians Association of Virginia (OAV).