Jamie Shyer

Co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer Zyloware

Last Reviewed: September 28, 2026

Executive Summary

Jamie Shyer is co-CEO and chief operating officer of Zyloware, the eyewear company Joseph Shyer founded in New York in 1923, which describes itself as the longest-running family-owned and operated eyewear company in the United States. A third-generation member of the family, he joined its management in the 1990s and has run the business alongside Christopher Shyer since the 2000s. In August 2025 Zyloware, backed by CenterGate Capital, made its first acquisition: Kenmark Eyewear, the Kentucky company behind brands including Vera Wang, Lilly Pulitzer and Original Penguin frames.

Career Highlights

• Co-CEO and chief operating officer of Zyloware, the Port Chester, New York eyewear supplier founded in 1923.
• Joined Zyloware’s active management in the 1990s and took over running the company with Christopher Shyer in the 2000s, overseeing a large expansion of its fashion brands.
• Co-led Zyloware’s acquisition of Kenmark Eyewear, which closed on 22 August 2025 with investment partner CenterGate Capital.
• Served on the board of directors of The Vision Council, the optical industry’s trade association, as of November 2025.

Professional Journey

Zyloware began in 1923, when Joseph Shyer opened an eyewear factory in Long Island City, New York. His sons Henry and Robert joined in the 1950s. The company went on to introduce the Invincible nylon frame in 1963, to create what it calls the first American designer eyewear licence, with Gloria Vanderbilt, in 1976, and to launch the Sophia Loren and Stetson lines in the early 1980s. Jamie Shyer and Christopher Shyer, the third generation, took on active management roles in the 1990s. In the 2000s the two took over the running of the company, and Zyloware says they oversaw an enormous expansion of its fashion brands. In 2010 it moved its headquarters to Port Chester, New York. Its portfolio now includes Sophia Loren, Stetson, Randy Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, H Halston, Via Spiga, Gloria Vanderbilt and Daisy Fuentes.

In December 2024 Zyloware announced a partnership with CenterGate Capital, an Austin private equity firm that took a majority stake. The next step was Zyloware’s first acquisition. Kenmark Eyewear, a previously employee-owned company in Kentucky that has designed and distributed eyewear since 1972, joined Zyloware in a deal that closed on 22 August 2025. Kenmark brought licensed collections such as Vera Wang, Lilly Pulitzer, Original Penguin, Kensie, Jhane Barnes and Wolverine, plus its own Paradigm, Elliott Ives and Valdo lines. “The joining of two great American legacy eyewear companies makes this moment especially meaningful,” Shyer said when the deal was announced, describing it as “both a natural fit and an exciting step forward.”

Christopher Shyer, his fellow co-CEO and Zyloware’s president, retired from the day-to-day business on 25 November 2025 and remains a co-owner. In the company’s announcement Jamie Shyer, still described as co-CEO and chief operating officer, said he felt reassured that Christopher’s continued co-ownership would inspire the company as it carried forward the mission and values he had built.

The family has long been involved in the optical industry’s trade bodies. Robert and Henry Shyer co-founded The Vision Council, and Zyloware said in November 2025 that Jamie Shyer was then on its board of directors.

Education

No education record was found in any first-party or editorial source.