Versant Ventures, a Califonia-based venture capital firm, today welcomes the former CEO of Advanced Medical Optics to its team.  James V. Mazzo, also the Sr. Vice President of Abbot Labs, joined Versant as its operating partner based in Newport Beach.

According to the company statement, the executive is tasked to come up with strategies for better patient services as well as pursue investment opportunities in the healthcare industry that can benefit Versant. He will also sit as board member of the Versant's portfolio companies.

Mazzo will also serve as chair of AcuFocus, which specializes in innovations for the treatment of presbyopia.

The managing director of Versant, William Link, said Mazzo's expertise in the healthcare industry would be an asset to them. "His reputation as a leader in the healthcare industry, gives us great confidence in the value he will offer to our organization and portfolio companies," the Versant statement reads.