Dr. Jesse Hicks, Optometrist
Dr. Jesse Hicks, a native of Florida, grew up in Pinellas County in the Clearwater/Dunedin area. He was an active Boy Scout while growing up and achieved the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Dunedin High School, Dr. Hicks attended the then St. Petersburg Junior College, now called St Petersburg College, where he earned his Associate of Arts degree with Honors. He then attended the University of South Florida where he was inducted into the Gold Key Honor Society and the College of Arts and Sciences Honor Society before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences. Later that same year, Dr. Hicks entered the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where he completed his Doctor of Optometry in 2004. Since then he has practiced in various locations in and around the Tampa Bay area gaining further knowledge and experience in the art and science of Optometry. In 2009 he founded SeePort Optometry in North Port where he has maintained his vision of a practice that delivers the utmost in care by building a team to overcome any and all obstacles that interfere.
“When I was about 10 years old on my way home from getting my second or third pair of eyeglasses, I decided to become an optometrist so I could help others gain vision as I had because I was so impressed by my ‘enhanced’ vision with my new glasses. Due to my experience at that tender age I realized the immense importance of vision and how it impacts every part of life. I have never strayed from the decision to help others gain enhanced vision. Furthermore, every aspect of SeePort Optometry is aimed at fulfilling that decision made in my childhood.” ~ Dr. Jesse Hicks
Dr. Hicks is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association, the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, and the Hillsborough Society of Optometrists. He is now growing his affiliation with the Manasota Optometric Society here in Sarasota.
Annie Hicks, Director of Marketing, Chief Financial Officer, Licensed Optician
Annie was born in West Palm Beach, Florida and grew up in Port Charlotte, Florida. Annie was an All-American cheerleader in high school and was a participant in the 1999 Pro-Bowl half-time show. She left for Florida State University a month after graduating high school where she received her Associate of Arts degree. She then moved to Tampa in order to attend The University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology in 2007. Later that year, Dr. Hicks recruited her to be his manager. Her talents have facilitated SeePort Optometry’s start and growth. Continuing her strive for excellence, in the spring of 2014 she earned her License in Opticianry. Annie is an active member of the LCBW, Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association and The North Port Area Chamber of Commerce where she is a past member of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Hicks and Annie were married in November 2009 and have been growing their family since 2014. They have a son, Carter, whom is 4 years old and a daughter, Lillian who is almost 3. Annie spends most of her time raising the children, but continues to stay dedicated to the success of SeePort Optometry.
Tracy, Licensed Optician
Tracy was born in western New York and attended LeRoy High School where she played soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading. She started working in the optical field at age 18 at Chili Vision Group in Rochester, NY where she began filing charts. Over the 25 years working for them she became experienced in contact lenses, billing, as an optometric assistant, and specialized testing for her patients. Because of her passion in the optical field and working with patients she decided to further her education to become a New York State licensed optician in 2008. After 25 years of working for that practice she decided she had enough of New York winters and moved to Florida. She now has her Florida State license and has been part of our team since 2015. Tracy has raised 2 beautiful daughters Kristen and Rachel.
Tariq, Optical Specialist, Apprentice Optician
Tariq was born in East Orange, NJ and moved to Port Charlotte, Florida in 1991 at the age of 3. For the majority of his childhood, Tariq was raised in Port Charlotte, but for a short period of time, he lived with his father in Trinidad and Tobago. Tariq graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2006 where he played basketball, track and football. While attending Port Charlotte High School, Tariq was dual enrolled in Charlotte Technical Center. Tariq was a member of the National Technical Honor Society. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA and received a certificate in Electronic Technician/User Support Technician, and Computer Support Specialist. Shortly after high school Tariq fell in love with the martial art Brazilian jiu jitsu and has been practicing it ever since.
Tariq spent most of his career in the customer service field, until he was recruited to the SeePort Optometry family. Tariq is now an apprentice optician studying under Dr. Hicks’ guidance.
Jessica
Jessica is a small-town Florida native. She was the only person in her class to attend the same small school for every grade offered there– Kindergarten through tenth grade. She then went to a boarding academy in Orlando to finish her high school career where she worked as a resident assistant in her dorm and graduated with honors. Jessica is the oldest child of seven and the oldest grandchild of 39! She loves spending any free time with her family. She and her fiancée still live in Zephyrhills with their son and daughter who now attend the same small school Jessica did. Jessica started working for Dr. Hicks at his Zephyrhills practice in 2009 as a technician. She has since become a CPOC in charge of all billing and accounts receivable and was excited to be welcomed as a part of the SeePort Optometry family when Dr. Hicks decided to focus his attention in North Port.
Jodean, Director of first Impressions
Jodean was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Ohio during the 60’s. During that time she had to opportunity to visit Florida and for years dreamed of moving to Florida someday.
In 1990 she moved to Singer Island, Florida where her backyard was the beach and she lived there for a couple of years before moving to the West coast.
Most of Jodean’s work history has involved Customer Service in one way or another from real estate to owning a small business installing tile on swimming pools. She worked 11 years for a customer service based company in Port Charlotte however, the company slowly started to close and Jodean was the last to be laid off.
Jodean then attended Southern Technical College for Medical Assistant training in 2016 and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. During her last quarter at school she was sent to SeePort Optometry for her 180 hour externship. Jodean has now been full time with SeePort optometry for over a year and has completed the CPO examination.
Jodean enjoys swimming, fishing and camping.
Sylest, Optometric Technician
Sylest Bell has been with SeePort Optometry since the summer of 2018. She was brought to us by the Southern Technical College in Port Charlotte, Florida.