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.

Stefani has over 30 years of experience in the Optical Industry. Her father Buzzy McBride is a local retired Lynchburg Optician who founded McBride Blackburn with Jay Blackburn. She has fond memories of going to work with her Dad, Buzzy McBride and says, “I feel like I have a lifetime of optical experience because I started learning from my Dad at such a young age”. Stefani has been with McBride Blackburn since the beginning 1992. Being an Optician is her life.  It’s what she knows. She loves sharing her knowledge with her customers and taking them through the process from start to finish to create the perfect pair of glasses with the right fit. In her spare time, Stefani enjoys staying active, riding her bike, spoiling her pets, walking, traveling and discovering new places with her husband Earl. Stefani has 2 daughters and a stepson. She says, “Family is an important part of my life. I have dinner with my Mom and Dad almost daily and my two grandchildren keep me young”.

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.

India has a charismatic and energetic personality and brings a fun young vibe to the office. India started her career in the eye care industry in 2014. India loves helping our customers find the perfect fashion forward frame to fit their lifestyle and personality. Her greatest compliment is to know that a customer was pleased with the service she provided. In her free time she coaches cheerleading, volunteers with youth and spends quality time with her son Makai. India’s smile and bubbly personality are already winning over our customers at our front desk. We receive compliments daily from our customers on what a great addition she is to our staff