Okay, let’s tackle this. So Ed Gibson has 37 years of experience in wholesale operations, which is a long time. He's the owner of a laboratory, which implies a high level of responsibility. Skills like wholesale and operations are in demand, but the industry is not typically known for high-paying jobs. Considering the length of his experience and his role as owner, I'll estimate his hourly rate to be around $75, which is a rough benchmark for a professional with his skills and experience in the ophthalmic industry.