{geni:occupation} Optical Business
{geni:about_me} Tom Sloan followed his father, grand father, and his great grandfather into the optical field. Joining Southern Optical Company (founded by his father) in Greensboro, NC. Serving as President and later as Board Chair, Tom helped to expand the company into the largest producer of ophthalmic prescription eyeglasses in the Southeastern US with manufacturing in nine states. The company was sold in 1996 to the global leader, Essilor International, based in Paris, France. Tom stayed on for five years as Chairman of the new, expanding US subsidiary. Today Tom continues to live in Greensboro and is Board Chair of the Bank of North Carolina. He serves on other non-profit Boards such as the University of Rochester, Triad Stage, and the Greensboro Jewish Federation.