Harbor Optical opened its doors in 1997 with the goal of becoming one of the nation's premire optical labs. By remaining an independant lab, Harbor Optical has been able to not only achieve that goal, but to grow beyond it. As an independant lab, Harbor Optical has become a trusted resource and business companion to many, due in no small part to the exceptional leadership of Geff Heidbrink and Bob Westlake, the knowledgeable and dedicated staff that supports them, and the extensive lens availability. As a fully independent lab, Harbor Optical is able to offer unbiased opinions on lens selection as well as an unparalleled lens catalog. Harbor Optical also has an ultra-modern anti-reflective and hard coat facility in-house, robotic lens processing, and on-hand stocking of all of today's most common lens designs and materials. For more details, please see below for a virtual tour of some of the key areas within the lab, along with information on those individuals who have helped make Harbor Optical the premire optical lab it has become.
Geff grew up in Minnesota and graduated
from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
In college he lettered in football. During
school, he worked for Benson Optical in the
lab and as a dispensing optician. When Geff
finished his degree, he went to work for
Benson as a sales representative in Iowa. In
1975 he was transferred to Traverse City.
Geff has held many positions in the optical
industry as a dispenser, sales representative
and company executive. He received his MBA
from Lake Superior State University in 1992.
In 1997, he started Harbor Optical. Geff lives
in Elk Rapids with his wife of 29 years, Mary Sue.
Prior to receiving the call from Geff to start
Harbor Optical, Bob was working as a practice
administrator for an optometric practice. Bob
has worked in the industry for 34 years in every
aspect of the business; from dispenser, to
wholesale laboratory operations, to sales.
When not at work, or spending time with his
wife Sue and their two daughters, Bob can be
found working in his yard. The rest of his time is
spent volunteering in various ministry outreach
programs through his church. Bob sums up his
approach to work and life in general with three
statements, ”Love God Intensely, Love People
Compassionately, Work Hard Consistently.”
Bob is always ready to answer questions and
help solve problems. The part of his job that he
finds most rewarding is training and helping
others. He is ready to assist you in what ever
way you need.
Mike graduated from Alpena High School in
1991. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in
Business Administration from Lake Superior
State University, where he focused his studies
in Marketing and Management. After school,
Mike managed an Optical Shoppe and Hearing
Aid Clinic for a busy ophthalmology practice,
and has been an ABO certified optician for the
past eleven years. Seven years ago Mike
joined Harbor Optical. Mike currently lives in
Fremont with his wife Marcie and their eight
month old son, Mason. When not working, Mike
enjoys spending time outdoors with his family;
hiking, biking and, most of all, enjoying any type
of skiing. Mike gets the greatest thrill in this
business by watching Harbor Optical’s business
partners grow. He is dedicated to the success of
the independent eye care professional and
welcomes the opportunity to work with you.
Jim has worked in the optical lab industry
for 39 years. His primary responsibilities
are managing the Finish Lab at Harbor,
training new employees and helping
customers. His specialty is the “problem
jobs” that we all encounter both at the lab
level and in your practice. If you need
technical help on that special job please
feel free to call him. When Jim is not at
work, he can usually be found in his garden
with his wife Cindy growing veggies and
tending his peach trees, or in his well
equipped garage building something. Let
Jim help you improve your service by accessing
his vast knowledge and years of experience.
John first became involved as Vietnam
veteran enrolled in Northwestern Michigan
College’s VA apprenticeship program. He is
an integral part of the ever-changing industry.
His experience includes every aspect of
production and delivery, from a two-man
operation to a full service lab. He joined
Harbor Optical in the company’s first year,
and is pleased to be a part of a local company
run by people he knew from his earlier years.
John and his wife Barbara have three grown
sons and three grandchildren. He enjoys
home and family activities, which very often
include his delicious cooking. All winter long,
he looks forward to kayaking, fishing and
golfing in the summer. As a supervisor of the
A/R room, John continues to enjoy the
changing world of optics.
Tim joined the Harbor Optical team in
1998. Before coming to Harbor, he was
a sales manager in the Marine Industry
for 18 years. Through hard work and
exceptional attention to detail, he has
proven himself to be a valuable team
member. Tim is currently the Surface
Lab Manager. His responsibilities
include the daily operations of all surface
functions; from procedures, processing
and maintaining equipment, to managing
the Surface Lab personal.
Becky joined the Harbor Optical team in
July 2001. She manages the customer
service and data entry departments. She
developed, in conjunction with a frame
and a lens manufacturer, a program to
provide eyewear to indigent veterans.
Thanks to Becky’s compassion and vision,
to date our “Vision for Veteran’s” program
has provided over 100 pairs of eyewear
through the Jacobetti Home for Veterans.
Becky and her husband have two children;
Orville, 13, and Alex, 10. Becky’s free time
is spent participating in figure eight demolition
derby, walleye fishing, deer hunting and drag
racing. Call Becky when ever you need
assistance with product, pricing or warranty issues.
Aaron was born in Detroit in 1977 and
moved to Northern Michigan 6 months later.
He completed his Bachelors degree from
Spring Arbor University in the field of
Business Management. Aaron joined Harbor
Optical in 2004. In addition to his optical
experience, Aaron has also worked in auto
and insurance sales, as well as retail store
management. Aaron has been married for six
years and has 2 stepchildren; one boy and one
girl. Outside of the office Aaron enjoys working
on web sites and computers, reading and
anything car-related. Aaron works full time at
Harbor Optical and would welcome the
opportunity to speak with you. He specializes
in all computer areas, as well as customer
service and optical education.
Before joining the Harbor Optical team in
2000, Kathy was an administrator for a large
ophthalmology practice for 27 years. She
and her husband Rick have two grown sons
and four grandchildren that they enjoy spending
time with. In addition to working at Harbor Optical,
Kathy also enjoys gardening, cooking, walking
and relaxing with her husband at their Lake
Leelanau home. Kathy currently works two days
per week and welcomes the opportunity to speak
with you regarding questions.
Geri joined Harbor Optical in August,
2002 as our ”Accounts Payable Lady”.
She is new to the optical industry, but
brings 28 years of diversified administrative
and purchasing experience to our team.
Geri handles our bookkeeping, payables,
receivables (on Kathy’s days off), payroll and
employee benefits. During her free time Geri
enjoys boating, golf and snowmobiling with
family and friends. If you would like to pay
your statement using your credit card or have
questions about your balance, please give
Geri a call. She is happy to assist you.
Fifteen years of managing a specialty
meat market, and running the business
end of her husband’s trucking company,
has given Rhonda much to bring to
Harbor Optical’s Lens and Frame Department.
Rhonda’s responsibilities range from picking
the correct products for each individual job to
managing the LenStock.com program. She
is also responsible for the maintenance of our
lens catalog and all the processing information.
With all of this she still manages to raise two
teenage boys. Rhonda reads (a lot) and does
jigsaw puzzles to relax. If you have lens style or
material availability questions please feel free
to call her.
Phil started in the optical business 36
years ago and plans to finish his career at
Harbor Optical (probably when he turns
90!). He started his career in a basement
lab. Managing two optometry practices and
an optical dispensary for an ophthalmology
practice furthered his experience. He then
went into the wholesale optical business at
a small lab in Kalamazoo. After leaving that
lab, Phil went into sales. Over the years he
has been a sales rep for Optical Supply,
Eschenbach Low Vision and Aspex Eyewear.
He joined Harbor Optical in 2002. He spent
over eighteen years as a dispensing optician,
which gives him special insight into working
with his business partners. Phil is ABO
certified and serves as secretary for the
Opticians Association of Michigan. Phil has
been married to his wife Terri for 37 years. He
has two daughters; Heather and Maureen. On
the weekends he enjoys driving his “time
machine”, a 2006 Mustang GT Convertible.
When asked what he thinks is the best part of
the optical industry he says “it is that I still
get to learn something new every single day!”
Andy brings a unique perspective to
Harbor Optical as Product Specialist
through his experience in many different
positions in the optical industry. He
graduated from Ferris State University, at
the top of his class, with an Associates
Degree in Opticianry. His knowledge of
the many different aspects of the business
has grown with his experiences as a
dispensing optician, office manager, by
running a finishing lab and by being a sales
rep for a progressive lens company. He
became part of the Harbor team in 2006.
Andy and his wife Maribeth are the proud
parents of two . As time allows, the Bangerts
would like to spend time on optical mission
trips in developing countries. Andy likes sharing
his knowledge with others and enjoys working
closely with his business partners to help them grow.
