After attending Illinois Wesleyan College and working as a credit reporter for Dunn & Bradstreet, Ed began his optical career in 1960 with Univis Optical. While there he detailed a new lens material introduced as Plastic CR-39 in the Chicago market. In 1964 he transferred to Mansfield, Ohio where he worked for Reese Optical under the direction of his close friend and mentor Duane Reese. In 1968 he purchased into a partnership with BlackHawk Optical that had locations in Champaign, IL and Rock Island, IL. In 1972 he purchased the Champaign facility and founded SEOCO, Inc. Thirty-two years later he is now semi-retired. Ed & Matti Schmidt enjoy spending time with family, especially their 6 grandchildren and dog ZOI.

With over 30 years experience in the optical industry, David King began his career with Univis managing a six state territory. David has represented several national frame companies and has sales management experience with Walman Optical Company and as National Sales Manager for the founders of Bell Optical Company, Dayton, Ohio.
His depth of experience is greatly beneficial to both our team and the independent eye care professionals we work with.
David & his wife Betty have been married for 35 years, they have two grown children. David enjoys traveling, playing golf and summer yard work.

With over 40 years in the optical industry, Don has a depth of experience that is very valuable to SEOCO clients. Don took over the management of the Rockford lab in November of 2006 after 30 years as owner- operator of a wholesale contact lens manufacturing lab right here in Rockford. He also worked for eight years as lab technician for a wholesale-retail optical business, also in Rockford.

Don has been married to his wife, Linda, for 40 years, and has three grown children. He enjoys spending his free time in his woodworking shop at home.