Metairie, LA, June 21, 2018 – The Board of Directors for Southern Eye Bank is pleased to announce that Kyle Mavin has been selected as its interim Executive Director and Alan Blake has been selected as its interim President and CEO. Blake and Mavin will succeed Joy Roussel who resigned from the position to pursue other opportunities.
Kyle Mavin joins Southern Eye Bank with 23 years of eye-banking experience. He has been a Certified Eye Bank Technician since 1999 and has a BS in Business Management. His professional development has included almost every role in eye-banking from recovery and lab technician, tissue evaluation, tissue processing, and corporate training for clinical skills managing multiple locations and staff. Mavin will also continue to serve as Chief Clinical Officer at the Alabama Eye Bank. He currently serves on the EBAA Accreditation Board (since 2010) and has been selected to be the incoming Co-Vice Chair of the board.
Alan Blake has been involved in eye-banking for 17 years, covering all areas including referral, recovery, lab, tissue evaluation, donor eligibility, training, and quality assurance. Mr. Blake became a Certified Eye Bank Technician in 2008 and a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist in 2011. He has served on the EBAA Accreditation Board since 2011 and is a member of the EBAA Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College (Class of 2001). He joined Alabama Eye Bank as a recovery coordinator and then moved to managing an internal call center, before being promoted to Technical Director. Blake is currently the Executive Director of the Alabama Eye Bank.
“Kyle and I are honored and grateful to the board for this opportunity to lead this mission-driven organization dedicated to restoring eyesight in the community,” said Blake. “We are eager to work with Southern Eye Bank’s talented team and get to know the many partners that help to make the gift of sight happen.”
Board President Maurice Gaudet stated, “We are confident that Alan and Kyle’s eye banking experience, business acumen, and integrity will be a great match for our staff. With their leadership, Southern Eye Bank will continue to grow its contributions and find greater ways to serve our community.”
Dr. Clifford Hendricks, Co-Medical Director at the Southern Eye Bank, added, “Southern Eye Bank’s recent incorporation of a new DMEK lab will greatly benefit from Mavin and Blake’s combined 40 years of experience in eye banking.”
