NJSOP Welcomes New Executive Director

The New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP), the state association for organized optometry and affiliate of the American Optometric Association, has announced that Keira Boertzel-Smith will be named Executive Director of the 730-member organization. Howard Cooper, who has served as Executive Director for the last 13 years, will retire effective December 31^st.

Ms. Boertzel-Smith comes to the NJSOP from the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA) where she has worked since 2011 and has served as Executive Director since 2015. Her past experience also includes serving as Associate Counsel with the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, where she investigated and prosecuted statewide allegations of attorney misconduct.

In 2021, Ms. Boertzel-Smith received the American Psychological Association’s Division 31 award for Outstanding Achievement by a Psychological Association Staff Member. She was also elected as Chair of the American Psychological Association’s Council of Executives of State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations with a membership of 60 executive directors and chief executive officers.

Her work at NJPA as well as her experience with the New Jersey Psychology-Political Action Committee will be invaluable assets to the NJSOP.

"I'm excited to work with Keira," said NJSOP President Dr. Todd Gershenow. "I look forward to seeing how she applies her legislative experience to our goals for optometry here in New Jersey and I encourage NJSOP members to take any chance they can to get to know her."

Ms. Boertzel-Smith assumed the role of NJSOP Executive Director in January 2022. She resides in Essex County, NJ.

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The New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians represents the optometric profession before the New Jersey Legislature, the consumer and the public, and assists its members in conducting their practices in accordance with the highest ethical patient care standards.   To learn more, visit www.njsop.org.