Dave Dess Email Address

Executive Director

VSP provides a variety of flexible eyecare benefit plans. With nearly 38 million members, one in eight people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 200,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997.

Proven marketing executive and consultant with over 25 years of achieving business results through strategic planning, brand management, new product development and marketing communications. Applies fact-based marketing discipline to drive profitable customer acquisition, engagement & retention – differentiating and energizing brands, products and companies. Translates exceptional customer insight into exciting value propositions and customer demand. Finds innovative solutions to complex issues and aligns marketing solutions with Company’s mission, goals and systems. At executive-level positions, created exceptional shareholder value in public and private companies undergoing significant change as a result of dramatic growth, turnaround, competitive pressures, or reorganization (including Chapter 11). Built a record of consistent top-line and bottom-line success across diverse business challenges in consumer products and services companies including high tech and retail (at Sprint PCS and Bausch & Lomb), healthcare (at Vision Service Plan, Erickson Living, and United Healthgroup), and packaged goods (at Pepsi-Cola and Coors). Personally accountable for marketing and advertising budgets ranging from less than $1MM to $720MM. In addition, consulted with clients ranging from Nestle, Coca-Cola, Russell Financial and Rogers Wireless (Canada) to start-ups and early-life companies. Adjunct professor in Product and Brand Management for the EMBA Program at California State University at Sacramento. Specialties: Brand management, strategy, new products, P&L optimization, packaged goods, high tech marketing, healthcare, consumer products, consumer electronics, consumer services, wireless telecommunications, organization development, start-up, merger management, B2C & B2B marketing, strategic alliance, customer retention, advertising, media, direct marketing, direct mail, on-line, retail communications / merchandising, retail, research, social media, website development, sponsorships, crisis management.