2021 Nominees Bios

AACO Board of Directors Nominees

The following nominees will be appointed to serve during the AACO Board of Directors Term 2021-2023

Melonie Clemmons, OD- President
Ellijay, Georgia
Dr. Clemmons, a native to Gilmer County, practices full scope comprehensive eye care, with a focus on dry eye management and ocular disease prevention. Dr. Clemmons holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Berry College in Rome, Georgia and a Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her first internship in ocular pathology from the Omni Eye Care in Atlanta, Georgia, which specializes in glaucoma, retinal pathology, cornea disorders, and cataract co-management. Her second internship, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Gottlieb, Stone Mountain, Georgia, focused on vision therapy, low vision treatments, and contact lenses.

Drew Provost, OD- Vice-President
Austin, Texas

Dr. Drew Provost has served on the AACO board of directors since 2019. He also serves as the AACO Membership Committee Chair. Dr. Provost serves as the Clinic Director of Great Hills Eye Care in Austin, TX. He founded this two-location Costco affiliated practice in 2012. His practice is focused on wellness care, contact lenses, dry eye, and refractive surgery co-management with an emphasis on the use of technology to improve the patient experience. Dr. Provost is also the Chief Optometrist for iRefract, a quickly growing nationwide network of optometry clinics. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Provost serves as an industry Professional Advancement Consultant, traveling and presenting on practice management and advancements in contact lens technology. He graduated Cum Laude from Southern College of Optometry and is a Therapeutic Optometrist, certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and the Texas Optometry Board. When out of the office, Dr. Provost enjoys exploring the Texas hill country with his wife and two daughters.

Michael A. Slusky, OD, FAAO, Diplomat ABO- Treasurer
Schaumberg, Illinois
Dr. Slusky has served on the AACO Board of Directors since 2019. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Optometry. Graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1998, he was the recipient of numerous academic and clinical distinction awards. In addition to providing primary vision care, his special interests include anterior eye segment conditions, specialty contact lens fitting, refractive, and cataract surgery co-management. Dr. Slusky is a consultant to the contact lens and pharmaceutical industry, lecturing internationally and across the United States. He has served as a principal investigator for FDA studies, and conducted multiple post-research market evaluations on leading brands of contact lenses that patients wear today. He enjoys bringing new technology to his patients, and sharing advances with his colleagues. In his time outside of patient care, he enjoys every precious minute spent with his wife and young daughter.

Nils W. Ohlsen, OD- Secretary
Liberty Lake, Washington
Dr. Ohlsen has been a member of AACO since 2013. He served as an AACO Board member, Director-at-Large, from 2019-2021. He is the owner and founder of Outlook Vision. Dr. Ohlsen graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 2000 and has been practicing in the Spokane Valley since that time. Originally from Greensburg, Pennsylvania he served for six years in the US Navy prior to optometry school. Dr. Ohlsen and his wife reside in Liberty Lake with their two daughters. He is an active member and club officer of Rotary International. He is also affiliated with the AOA, AOS, and the OPW.

AACO 2021 - 2023 Directors 'At Large'


Jennifer Bodley, OD;

Target Optical, Tucson, AZ

Dr. Jennifer Bodley currently serves on the AACO Membership Committee. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis and a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri, St Louis School of Optometry. She has been in practice since 1997 has worked in a variety of military, commercial, and private practice settings. Furthermore, she has been associated with Target Optical since 2011. Dr Bodley is a member of several professional organizations including the American Optometric Association, Arizona Optometric Association, and Southern Arizona Optometric Society. Dr. Bodley grew up in California, but as a military spouse has lived and practiced in Georgia, Nevada, Texas, Maryland, and Arizona. Having worn glasses since the age of one, optometry was always a part of her life and a natural choice as a career. She loves teaching others about their eyes and helping them see their best. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and pets.

Carla Gasparini, OD
Walmart, Austin, TX
Native of New Orleans, LA and now practices at two Walmart locations in the Austin, TX metro area. A graduate of Southern College of Optometry where she was President of SVOSH (Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity). Has held several leadership positions within local societies such as President of the Central Texas Optometric Society and the Corpus Christi Optometric Society. When not in her scrubs, she can be found hiking and running along Town Lake or listening to live music whenever possible.

Robert Houghteling, OD, FAAO;
Pearle Vision, Kingsland, GA
Dr. Houghteling is a 38-year resident of Camden County, GA, and is actively involved in the community. In addition to being an AACO member and presenter, he is also a member of the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry and Georgia Optometric Association. Dr. Houghteling is a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve and is presently assigned to the Defense Health Agency at Falls Church, Virginia. He serves as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Air Force Optometry Consultant for the Air Force Surgeon General. He is a two time Rotarian of the Year through the Rotary Club of Camden County. He is married to his wife of 29 years, Valerie, and they have two sons, Drew and Cole.

Mark Jackson, OD, Diplomate ABO
Walmart; Fort Collins, CO
Dr. Mark Jackson had been a member of AACO since 2013. He also serves on the AACO Magazine Committee. Dr. Jackson began his optometry career after graduating from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. He has been a diplomat of American Board of Optometry since 2012. He opened his Fort Collins Wal-Mart Vision Center in 2001. Dr Jackson has “planted roots” in Fort Collins by getting involved with Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary and sponsoring local sporting teams. He is the Official Optometrist of the Fort Collins Foxes baseball team and the Official Sponsor of the Colorado Eagles hockey referees. When is out of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends going to hockey games, barbecues, or enjoying the Colorado outdoors.


Gordon Penn, OD

Walmart, Melbourne, FL