Our Team
Jeff Neighbors, OD, Broker Associate
Raised in Eagle Grove, Iowa, I graduated from The Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 2005.
I have practiced in several different modalities over the years, but primarily in private practice. Over the years I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, about practice transition and the headaches that can come with that. It’s with that mindset that I decided to join Gary Ware and Practice Consultants. Providing an experience perspective with integrity and honesty can make all the difference to help optometrists make the right decisions for their practice.
I’m an active member of the Iowa Optometric Association and currently serve as President for the IOA Board of Trustees.
Civic activities include the Johnston and Altoona Chambers of Commerce, Johnston Rotary Club, the Freemasons, local networking groups, and the Johnston School District. In early 2017, I was part of an optometry mission trip to Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
My wife, Liz, and I enjoy time with our 3 daughters; I also play golf and provide foster care for dogs.
Gary W. Ware, MBA, Broker, CBB
My 50 years of business experience have provided me with a wealth of knowledge to draw on for my clients. After operating Gary W. Ware Business Consultancy for several years, I joined forces with Bernard Press, OD. I am now the Principal of Practice Consultants.
I had served as Vice President of Primary Eyecare Network, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. My responsibilities at PEN also included all practice consulting services, appraisals, the Financial Improvement Techniques program, the annual Vital Statistics Survey and analysis, and the Patient Satisfaction Survey service.
Prior to joining PEN, I owned my own businesses for ten years, including a small-business consulting firm. Earlier, I held a variety of technical and management positions at Fortune 100 corporations, and was Assistant Dean of the Graduate School of Management at the University of Rochester.
I hold MBA and BS Engineering degrees, as well as a Broker license. I am member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). Additionally, I’m a Certified Business Broker (only about 10% of the business brokers in California have received this designation), and an Industry Specialist (ophthalmic practices) for Business Brokerage Press.
My direct email is , or feel free to call me at 925-820-6758.
James G. Metz, OPT, PhD, Broker Associate
I am president of a privately owned contact lens practice, specializing in Keratoconus, and a low vision rehabilitation practice. I also serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Interboro Institute of NYC, a Board member of the J.T. Mather Hospital, an examiner for the NYS Department of Professional Licensing, a Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America, a Fellow of the National Academy of Opticianry, and a certified speaker for the ABO and NCLE.
I have been involved in all aspects of the Tri-Ophthalmic industry, including laser manufacturing, IOL companies, spectacle lens companies, and was the COO of an 8-office ophthalmology/optometry practice with an Ambulatory Surgical Center.
I represent Practice Consultants in the Northeast. My direct email is , or call me at 631-941-2012.