Tom Merkle, P.E., CISSP serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Over his more than 8-year tenure at Houston Eye Associates, Tom has encompassed many roles at Houston Eye from Information Technology to Accounting and Finance. As CIO, Tom overhauled Houston Eye Associate’s in-house technology upgrading the organization to provide efficient systems and support to the over 40 Physicians, 15 Optometrists and over 500 employees in 20 offices.  Tom also oversees the company’s accounting and finance efforts, helping the team to streamline processes and align their goals with the Physicians.  Tom brings unique experience to Houston Eye Associates, with his career history including time as an aerospace engineer and propulsion system analyst at NASA.

Molly Free, SHRM-SCP, CHC is the Vice President at Houston Eye Associates, a role she has excelled in for the past five years.  During her tenure, Molly has progressively taken on several roles with the organization, overseeing the company’s human resources, compliance and marketing efforts.  Molly holds over ten years of experience in Human Resources in healthcare supporting physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and urgent care centers.

Jill Brothen, RN is the Vice President of Operations at Houston Eye Associates. Jill is a dedicated Registered Nurse with over 21 years of specialized experience in Ophthalmology. Her focus on process updates has contributed to a more streamlined workflow within our organization, improving patient outcomes. Jill’s leadership roles within our surgery center, clinic, patient experience, and operations have been instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment and enhancing the overall quality of our services. Jill maintains strong staff and vendor relationships, providing resources and support to our physicians.