Elevate Digital Optics Appoints Thomas ‘Bud’ Hawkins as CFO and Head of AI Strategy

Dallas-based digital optics lab Elevate Digital Optics announced the appointment of Thomas “Bud” Hawkins as chief financial officer and head of AI strategy, effective October 2026. The move reflects the company’s investment in financial leadership and technology to support independent eyecare practices nationwide. Hawkins will oversee EDO’s financial strategy, reporting, and planning while leading AI initiatives focused on automation and operational efficiency. CEO Grant Guilbert stated that combining finance and AI under Hawkins positions EDO to compete effectively while maintaining personalized service. Hawkins previously contributed by developing automated reporting systems and a centralized AI knowledge base. He emphasized using practical technology solutions to help independent businesses operate smarter and improve customer response times.