ShopKo Optical
Kirk Lauterback has extensive experience in the optical industry, currently serving as Chief Operations Officer at Shopko Optical since 2019. In this role, Kirk oversees critical areas such as retail, sales/e-commerce, and business operations while collaborating with the CEO and Private Equity Principal to drive expansion and marketing initiatives. Kirk's previous positions at Shopko Optical include Vice President of Operations and Director of Optical Services, where proactive leadership resulted in significant process improvements and management of 140 optical centers and 900 employees. Early career roles, including Optical Manager and Optician at Sterling Optical, provided Kirk with a strong foundation in operations and customer service. Additionally, Kirk holds an Executive Leadership degree from St. Norbert College.
ShopKo Optical
James Ruben, a pharmacist, opened the first ShopKo store in 1962. With two divisions located throughout 13 states in the U.S. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, ShopKo discount stores are multi-department retail outlets supplying goods and services, ranging from apparel to furniture. The ShopKo Express Rx stores are individual drugstores featuring drive-thru pharmacies, health and beauty aids, cosmetics, fitness products, over-the-counter medications, convenience foods as well as general merchandise. In 1991, the company became public; in December 2005, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners took the company private.