Our Story

Identifying The Need

In 2008, Drs. David Golden and Howard Stein decided to leverage the buying power of their combined eight locations in an effort to reduce their cost of goods. Very quickly, they discovered they could greatly improve their bottom line by purchasing in a collective manner. In Dr. David Golden's words, "We started PERC to improve our own businesses, and we quickly realized that there are many other successful practices that also wanted to do better. We understood that the best way to grow and improve is to work collectively."

After surveying the marketplace and talking to many colleagues, Howard and David discovered that other large practices were paying much more for many products than they had negotiated for themselves. Although many colleagues thought they had negotiated excellent pricing from their vendors, they soon realized that compared to Stein and Golden, they were not getting a fair shake. It became clear there was a need in the industry for someone to negotiate on behalf of the larger practices.

At the same time, Infinity Vision Alliance (IVA) was founded by Drs. Richard Frieder and Aaron Sako. Due to challenges of the practice ownership and the ever-changing economy, they focused on the need to organize a select group of private practice owners to strategize success in the marketplace. IVA was committed to helping eye care providers nationwide. Their goal was to help private practices compete and flourish by providing discounted products and services to our members.

Forming and Growing PERC

In January 2013, PERC formed a strategic alliance with IVA, which gave all PERC+IVA offices the purchasing power of a multi-million-dollar office. The remarkable growth has allowed PERC+IVA to add benefits like frame distribution, healthcare integration and unique vendor partnerships.

In 2019, PERC+IVA was rebranded to PERC with a new logo and look to show our growth. The doctors, patients, and practices within IVA are an important part of the PERC community, but we decided that a singular identity better supported our mission statement. We’ve built one community and not two. Today, PERC has over 5,000 members in 50 states and continues to grow rapidly.

 
 

About DR. Howard Stein

Dr. Howard E. Stein is a board certified optometrist who is DPA and TPA licensed to use diagnostic and therapeutic medications. Dr. Stein graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in 1959. He Is a member of the South Bay Optometric Society, the Califoria Optometric Society, the American Optometric Association, and the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association.

About DR. David B. Golden

Dr. David Golden graduated with honors from Southern California College of Optometry in 1987. Prior to receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree he attended the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Golden completed his externship training at the Albuquerque Indian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. Immediately following Optometry School graduation, he was selected to become a full time Clinical Faculty at Southern California College.

 

About Dr. Aaron Sako

Dr. Aaron Sako graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in 2000. Prior to receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree he attended the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Sako completed his externship training at the Bascom Balmer Eye Institute in Miami Florida. Immediately following Optometry School graduation, he joined a thriving multi-doctor private practice in Laguna Hills California, where he still practices today.

About Dr. Richard N. Frieder

Dr. Richard N. Frieder graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Southern California after which graduating with honors from Los Angeles College of Optometry in 1971. He served in the Amphibious United States Navy prior to graduating. He is a member of the Orange County Optometric Society, California Optometric Society, and the American Optometric Association. He is a charter member of Rotary International and dedicates time on projects for children in India and orphanages in Mexico.