LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV) said Chief Executive Steven Straus will
resign in a week to lead another healthcare company outside the
ophthalmology industry.
The company wasn't identified by LCA, which like others is
suffering from a sharp slowdown in laser-vision correction. Such
typically discretionary procedures have been cut back as consumers
reduce their spending.
Operating chief David Thomas and financial chief Michael
Celebrezze will jointly oversee daily operations.
Straus become CEO in November 2006 after spending three years as
president and chief operating officer of a obesity-disease and
bariatric-surgery company.
Thomas joined LCA-Vision last year and was promoted to operating
chief in June. Straus at the time applauded Thomas' efforts in
helping lead the company's restructuring and marketing efforts.
Prior to joining LCA, Thomas became chief operating officer at
Boston Market Inc. shortly after its 2001 takeover by McDonald's
Corp. (MCD). The restaurant chains have since parted company.
Celebrezze joined LCA-Vision in 2006.
Shares closed Thursday at $6.93 and were inactive premarket. The
stock is up 69% this year.
-By Kevin Kingsbury, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2354;
kevin.kingsbury@dowjones.com