Meet Your Team

Envision is more than just an optometry practice. We are a team of dedicated Doctors, Medical Assistants, Patient Care Coordinators, Insurance Specialists, Leadership and Optical Experts who believe in Our Purpose — optimizing quality of life to better our world. Our expertise elevates the eyecare and eyewear experience from start to finish. Our optometry team focuses on your needs in terms of your best eye health and vision correction, delivered in an inviting atmosphere with impeccable patient care.

Dr. Larry Golson

Dr. Larry Golson

Optometrist & Practice Visionary (he/him)

Helping people enjoy life through better eye health and the best vision correction is the driving passion in life for Dr. Larry Golson. As a student at the Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee, he participated in three vision service trips to Costa Rica and Bolivia with SVOSH – Student Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity. For each trip, Dr. Golson raised his own travel expenses and collected eyeglasses, which he sorted for men, women and children.

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Dr. Eric Bryant

Dr. Eric Bryant

Chief Team Optometrist (he/him)

Dr. Eric Bryant is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, and served in Wilmington for over a decade delivering the highest quality comprehensive eye care. He is excited and enthusiastic to now plant his roots in the Asheville community and grow his career with the Envision Eyecare team.

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Dr. J. Scurlock

Dr. J. Scurlock

Tremendous Team Optometrist (she/they/all)

Originally from Tampa Bay, Florida, Dr. Jennifer Scurlock, known affectionately by patients and team members as Dr. Jai, has called several places home. Most recently, she lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where her wife’s family resides. Now, she’s proud to bring her expertise and passion for eye care to the Asheville community.

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Dr. Flores

Dr. Flores

Team Optometrist (he/him)

Dr. Flores was born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas. He earned his
undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin before completing his Doctor of Optometry degree at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry.

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Welcome! This is our dedicated team.
Have we shared how much we look forward to providing you with exceptional eyecare? Don’t be shy, get in touch!

Christine Maiello

General Manager (she/her)

I was born and raised in the Great upstate of New York and realized and refined in the enchanted state of North Carolina. I’ve been in Asheville for almost 2 decades and our spring season amazes me everytime!

I am the GM of Envision and enjoy the continued learning about running a successful, small independent business. With my background in health and wellness, personal training/coaching, dance, and yoga instruction, I bring these elements forward to steward this business and team. I’m a solution-seeker, so figuring out what makes this place tick, from patient satisfaction and team engagement to advancement in our services and offerings and committing to our purpose of optimizing quality of life is really what it’s all about for me. 

I’ve been with Envision since 2015. We get the opportunity to serve our community at a high level while staying down-to-earth and real as the unique team that we are.  Our team is engaged, intelligent, funny, and caring and it’s a joy to see them grow personally and professionally, aligning with our core values and being a part of the process to move us forward. 



I’ve been a geeky glasses wearer since I was 7 years old. My uncle (and godfather) was my optometrist all of my life, so I feel a calling to this field and I know firsthand how important a quality experience of care can be.  Can you imagine all the glasses I’ve had over the years? I wish I kept them all to see the historical record of my style and vision! It’s always been my favorite part of seeing the eye doctor, though now I know SO much more about eye health and how this precious sense truly keeps us independent in our daily lives.

Stephanie Salas

Optical Manager (she/her)

I was born and raised in Denton, TX; a small suburb of Dallas. Asheville reminds me so much of Denton with the food, music, and wonderful people.

I got my first pair of glasses in the second grade, in 1993! They were large, metal, with aviator-style lenses.

My favorite frame line now is SALT. They’re comfortable, timeless, and look good on literally ANYONE!

My biggest accomplishment so far is my relationship with my loving wife, Morgan (They/Them).  I am so proud and thankful that I get to spend every day with my favorite person.

Spring. There is something so magical about the trees blooming in pinks and whites, and daffodils and lilies popping up across the city.

Kelci McDaniel

Clinical Manager (she/her)

I was raised in Canton, NC, and enjoy reading, hanging with friends, and horseback riding with her 21-year-old horse, Savvy.

I love how Envision creates an environment where people can feel cared for and look great doing it! 

Outside of work and hobbies, she finds fulfillment in traveling as much as possible to explore and try new things.

She has been a glasses wearer for over 20 years, and loves Monoqool frames for their durability and environmentally conscious business models!”

Andrea Cantrell

Optical Expert (she/her)

I was born and raised in Upper East Tennessee.

My favorite season is Fall.

I have my Hypnotherapy license, and I can whistle really loud using my fingers.

My favorite cuisine is Japanese.

Jackie Cantrell

Lead Medical Assistant (she/her)

I was born & raised in Hendersonville, NC

My favorite times of the year are Spring & Fall, spring doesn’t feel too hot (for a hot-natured person) but I love all fall vibes – spooky season, pumpkin carving, etc…

What I enjoy most about my work is that I can help our community every day. It’s very near and dear to my heart to feel like I have done something for the people in my community and to hear that you’ve done a good job at it.

I am Mexican-American and I am fluent in Spanish which can sometimes be handy in circumstances where I need to translate (which isn’t often) but I feel so awesome knowing I can be of help to others.

Amari Porter

Medical Assistant (she/her)

I was born and raised in Asheville NC.

The thing I find most enjoyable about working at Envision is knowing that I am a part of a team that truly cares about the people we serve.

In my free time, I like to work out, hike, hang out with/ my little niece, and eat good food!

A personal motto for myself would be “ Be kind”. It’s a simple saying, but it’s amazing how just being kind can impact a person’s day.

Jenni Cockrell

Optical Expert (she/her)

I used to be a professional dancer and the performing arts are my passion, especially the avant garde. I am on the board of the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival and co-produce the Asheville Butoh Dance Festival. I still teach and perform from time to time!

I had the opportunity to go to Cuba many moons ago! The dance company I was with got to perform with Cuban dancers outdoors for about 5,000 people. All of the folks in the town were so sweet and welcoming. We had great coffee, lots of parties and went to a lovely beach with turquoise water and delicious street Mojitos.

I love Fall and Halloween! The gorgeous colors, leaves crunching under my feet, cool air (yay sweater weather) and pumpkin spice everything makes me so happy! Halloween is my favorite holiday. I decorate my porch to the nines and always dress up for the trick or treaters.

River Spade

River Spade

Optical Expert (he/him)

I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I love Fall. It is the perfect shift in temperatures, the best time for picking apples and sunflowers, and not to mention Halloween.

I got my first pair of glasses back in 2016. They were the traditional shape. Box like, gray, and boring.

Outside of work, River spends his time working with theatres around the WNC area. Performing, directing, or working backstage, he does it all. River also enjoys traveling, baking and discovering new genres of music.

Monica Curwen

Optical Assistant (she/her)

I am a native of Oak Park, IL. and I moved to Nashville, TN when I was 12. I planted roots in Asheville in 1994 when I was 19 and I found my home; and as cliche as it sounds, I found myself.

I love to play! I have enjoyed sports and exploring the outdoors all my life and recently picked up the sport of roller hockey! I play goalie and my son, my husband and I have been playing inline hockey with the Asheville Hockey League since 2017.

I have worn glasses since 1995. I love BIG frames with a fashion tint. I currently love the brand, Dita. These frames pop with color and style! They are bold, vibrant, translucent, and chunky, and IMO they are everything that is fun fashion for your face!

Gigi Medina

Medical Assistant (she/her)

I was born and raised in the Golden State of California, Los Angeles.

The opportunity to constantly learn and grow and the sense of accomplishment that comes from making a positive difference.

My all-time favorite show is King of the Hill.

My hard-working family back home always inspires me to be better.

Natalie Salerno

Medical Assistant (she/her)

I’ve been wearing glasses since I was in the 3rd grade, and for nearly 6 years I wore a pair of Silhouettes. I cannot tell you how many times I broke a nose pad or a whole temple, so they basically always sat crooked on my face.

I’m a summer baby so I’ve always loved the hottest time of the year, or the very end of summer when you can leave your windows open at night.

I love going to local shows, reading, thrifting, creating cool makeup looks, walking in nature, collecting & listening to cassette tapes, and writing letters to my long distance friends.

Lauren Snead Ben Hafsia

Patient Care Coordinator (she/her)

I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina with my mom and four older sisters.

Graduating from Lander University in 2018 with my Bachelor’s degree, moving away from my home state, and starting my own family here in NC.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, Mohamed and dog, Bex when I am not at work. I also enjoy photography and watching movies, especially a good comedy film.

I went on a mission trip to Orange Walk, Belize in 2012.

Macey Armijo

Patient Care Coordinator (she/her)

I was born and raised in Tampa, FL with my parents and my sister. Then I moved up to NC when I got married.

I do not like the heat at all, so I am a fall girl all the way, It’s just warm enough to wear short sleeves but at night when it cools down is my favorite time to be outside with a sweater. Also all the colors and vibes from fall are the best.

I really love cooking, taking back home ideas from when I visit new places, and making almost everything from scratch is something I take pride in. And I love a relaxing evening with appetizers and drinks and playing board games with my husband and our friends.

I am so proud of my strong relationship with my husband, he’s my best friend. And I am most proud of my volunteer ministry work that we get to do as individuals and together.

Rachelle Sorensen

Patient Care Coordinator (she/her)

I was born in Vernal, Utah. In 1995 I was introduced to Asheville, it has been home since.

Concerts, sporting events, playing pickle ball, and time with my partner and our girls.

Personally, I am most proud of my daughter Soren. Beautiful, smart and funny, she is my favorite person ever. Professionally, I am proud to be the founder of Girls on the Run of WNC. I started the program in 2002 with two small teams of girls and a handful of amazing volunteers. To date, the program has served thousands of girls and is running strong throughout the greater Asheville area.