STAFF

Monica Hecker, M.Ed. - Chief Operating Officer
As an educator, Monica Hecker encountered children who had never received a proper vision screen or eye exam and were falling behind in school, struggling with self-esteem, even labeled as behavior problems because no one realized they had a vision problem and they never knew what seeing well “looked like.” These encounters as an educator combined with family members struggling with numerous vision disorders including Amblyopia, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Septo-optic dysplasia have driven Ms. Hecker’s passion to help children reach their full potential through the early detection of vision disorders that affect a child’s health and ability to succeed in the classroom.

Ms. Hecker, holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is a Certified Arizona Educator with an endorsement in Structured English Immersion. Additionally, Monica has specialized trainings in the SCERTS Model for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Guided Instruction, and Second Step Behavior Management. Ms. Hecker also brings her experience as a vision screener, certified Pure Tone Hearing Screener and therapy coordinator for special needs populations to VisionQuest 20/20’s mission.

Catrina Frost - Director of Development

Catrina Frost is a dedicated vision advocate with strong roots in community awareness and education. As a parent of a child with a rare genetic eye disease known as Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), as well as a child with Amblyopia, Ms. Frost understands the critical role of vision to a child’s quality of life. Ms. Frost has built successful online information and support networks for individuals and parents of children with vision impairment, in hopes that not one more person or family would feel alone in finding resources or support in coping with vision impairment. Bringing people together, raising awareness and building the self-confidence of children and young people struggling with vision impairment issues are some of the talents Ms. Frost brings to VisionQuest 20/20’s mission.

Ms. Frost holds an Associates Degree in Administration of Justice with a certificate in Crime Scene Evidence and Police Photography.  In addition to her work in the vision community, Ms. Frost has volunteered and held special events for numerous charities including the Thunderbird NICU, Arrowhead NICU and UCP of Central Arizona.

The Founders

James W. O'Neil, M.D. - Pediatric Ophthalmologist,  Board Chair and Co-Founder

Medical University of South Carolina, Ophthalmology Residency
Creighton University, Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Creighton University, B.A. (Psychology)

Dr. James O'Neil is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist that has been treating childhood vision disorders for more than two decades. A highly-experienced surgeon trained in laser surgery for Retinopathy of Prematurity, a blinding condition of premature infants, Dr. O'Neil established the first Retinopathy of Prematurity telemedicine program in Arizona to provide remote eye examinations of premature infants via the Internet.

Having utilized computer and Internet technology for the treatment and diagnosis of childhood vision disorders, Dr. O'Neil recognized how similar technology could deliver an efficient and cost-effective vision screening program for school children. This solution addresses the lack of viable and accessible vision screenings offered to children and is the basis for the creation of VisionQuest 20/20 and the EyeSpy 20/20 vision screening program.

Richard S. Tirendi - Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Board Member

Mr. Tirendi executes the strategic plans and policies of VisionQuest 20/20.  As a Co-Founder, he is deeply committed to their mission of providing accurate, accessible, affordable vision screening to school children.   He used his computer engineering background and business experience to develop EyeSpy 20/20, the innovative software vision screening technology that VisionQuest 20/20 provides.

At age five, Mr. Tirendi experienced a total vision loss due to a poisonous insect bite. While the condition was treatable and his vision was restored, he never forgot the fear and sadness he experienced.  Compelled to find a technical solution for the accurate detection of vision problems in school children, his passion was fueled while founding VisionQuest 20/20 with Dr. O’Neil.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Randal Christensen, M.D. M.P.H.
Chief Clinical Information Officer, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.

Brice Willoughby
Co-founder, Symphony Financial Services LLC.

Chris Greening
President, Good-Lite Company

David Coats, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Texas Children's Hospital

Past Board Members

Kara Cline

Scott Harelson‍

Bradley Hartman, J.D.‍

Robert A. Kaplan

Joseph M. Miller, M.D., M.P.H.‍

Dan Ortiz, C.P.A.

Alison J. Rapping, M.P.A.