Jay Blackburn

 Jay graduated in 1987 from J Sargent Reynold’s Community College with an associate’s degree in Opticianry. He started his career in the optical business in 1984 as a Lab Tech and formed McBride Blackburn Opticians in 1992 with Buzzy McBride, a popular Lynchburg Optician. When Buzzy retired in 2008.  Jay became the sole owner of McBride Blackburn. Jay said, he is most proud of the fact “that our business has grown to what it is today mostly through referrals from our loyal customers. Our business goal has always been to offer extraordinary customer service and quality products”. Jay has built many lasting relationships with customer who have become like family. Jay is married to Tammy Blackburn and has one daughter and three step children. In his spare time, Jay is an avid white water canoer and enjoys collecting local art.

Tabitha has been part of the McBride Blackburn team since 2001. She started as the Receptionist but her love for the business and her co-workers made her decide to become a Licensed Optician. Tabitha enjoys both the retail and medical side of being an Optician.  She says, “Being able to help a customer pick out a frame that suits their vision needs and helping them look and feel amazing is what it is all about. We all want them to leave looking good and seeing great!”  Like everyone at McBride Blackburn, Tabitha believes, that exceptional customer service is so important.  She wants every customer to have the most enjoyable experience possible.  Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Tabitha is married to Frank Diaz and they have two children; Mariah and Lucas. In her spare time she loves to entertain guests in her home, travel, drink Cuban coffee espresso’s and decorate.