Dr. Michael Tashner, an optometrist in Platteville, was elected president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association at its annual convention in Wisconsin Dells Sept. 28.

Tashner will assume the office of president Jan. 1.

The WOA is a statewide professional organization representing 635 licensed doctors of optometry.

“Becoming the WOA president is one of the highest honors ever given to me in my life,” said Tashner. “I am humbled by the fact that my fellow doctors have entrusted me to lead our association as president.”

Tashner graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1993, after which he worked alongside Drs. Jim Sherry and David Canny prior to opening his own practice in Platteville in 1999. Tashner modestly attributes his success in optometry to “just showing up,” referencing the quote made famous by comedian and film director Woody Allen.

Tashner has continuously volunteered his time and efforts to ensure that optometry is successful in Wisconsin. Within the WOA leadership, he has been a local Optometric Society president; a Director at Large, and for the last several years a member of the association’s executive leadership. Tashner volunteers for the WOA’s Vision USA — The Wisconsin Project program, which provides no-cost eye exams to children in Wisconsin whose families do not have the means for proper eye care. He also donates prescription lenses to patients at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic, a WOA-sponsored free clinic in Milwaukee. He provides care to Wisconsin’s youngest patients regardless of their family’s ability to pay as part of the American Optometric Association’s InfantSEE(r) program.

Tashner and his wife, Julie, met while in college and were married in 1993. They have six children.