Ownership Team

Larry Sands, Chairman and Founder

Serves as Executive Chairman, bringing over four decades of eyewear experience to the business. He is responsible for continuing his innovative and unique formula for defining the luxury eyewear industry. Mr. Sands founded OSI in 1971 when he opened The Optical Shop in Kansas City—widely considered the first luxury optical boutique. He then established the wholesale division, Optical Shop International (OSI). His expertise in the eyewear field allowed him to see the potential for a business focused on designing and distributing in conjunction with high-end fashion houses. Although OSA was sold to Oakley, Inc. (Luxottica Group SPA now successor in interest to Oakley) in 2006, the wholesale division, Optical Shop International (OSI), remains independently-owned and operated. Mr. Sands is recognized as an eyewear pioneer and entrepreneur for establishing jeweled eyewear collections and luxury retail boutiques.

Troy Schmidt, Creative Director

Serves as Creative Director and drives OSI's product and marketing. Prior to joining OSI, Mr. Schmidt was an owner of the eyewear brand Dita, where he designed the product, ran sales and operations. He built a team and developed a brand whose products frequently adorned a multitude of A-listers. After generating record sales in 2001, he made the decision to resign as the company's president, and join Optical Shop International. He became an equal partner of OSI in 2008.

Cosmas N. Lykos, CEO

Serves as CEO and is responsible for the implementation of OSI's vision and strategies, with management of its subsidiaries, sales, finance and administrative functions. After graduating with honors from Duke University School of Law, he began his career as a corporate associate at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, an international full service law firm. As former VP of Business Development, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Oakley, Inc., Mr. Lykos was responsible for licenses, mergers and acquisitions, and managed the Oliver Peoples, OSA, Dragon Optical and Eyewear Safety Systems subsidiaries. During his tenure at Oakley, he attended the Executive Program at Stanford Business School. Seeing a void in the marketplace for a global, independently-owned luxury eyewear company, Mr. Lykos joined OSI in 2008 as an equal partner.