ODMA Board

In 2012, Craig was appointed Managing Director at Hoya Lens Australia. Craig is undertaking his MBA at present, and in 2016 will attend the AICD’s Company Directors course. He was elected to the ODMA board in November 2015 and appointed the new Chairman on the 18th of October, 2023.

Brad has spent the past three years working for Dragon Alliance in San Clemente, California. In his role as SVP Sales / Marketing, Brad was responsible for overseeing the development and execution of Dragon’s global sales and marketing initiatives. Brad oversaw the restructure of the USA sales team as well the establishment of new structures to drive business in Brazil and Europe.

During his tenure, Brad worked closely with Marchon formulating Dragon’s launch of its optical collection and also worked directly with Nike to launch its snow goggle line and SB Sunwear collection. On July 28th, 2015 Brad was appointed to the role as Country Director of Marchon Eyewear Australia/General Optical. Brad is responsible for the management and development of Marchon/VSP’s lines of business across Australia and New Zealand. He was elected to the ODMA board in November 2015 and appointed the Deputy Chairman on the 18th of October, 2023.

Mr Robert Sparkes

Robert is an Orthoptist with a Diploma of Applied Sciences from Sydney University. Following a career in ophthalmic and optometric equipment companies, in 2001 he formed his own company Optimed Pty Ltd and has been the Managing Director since that time. In September 2019 OptiMed and Essilor Instruments formed a joint venture, expanding its capacity and commitment to the eyecare community.

Optimed Pty Ltd distributes an extensive range of diagnostic equipment and pharmaceuticals plus cutting edge laboratory technology including Canon’s suite of retinal cameras and OCTs. Robert joined the ODMA board in 2013 and has a special interest in Equipment Company Member Representation and finance. Robert has led the Association through some of its biggest challenges including navigating the COVID pandemic.

Mr Lionel Minter

Lionel commenced work as an Optical Mechanic in an independent optometric practice in Melbourne in 1970. He went on to a series of fitting laboratory and sales roles first at Optical Products and then at Hoya and Sola where he rose to be Production & Operations Manager having spent 2 of the interim years on international duthroughout Asia & South America servicing and installing optical laboratories.

He moved into optical frame wholesaling in 1986 with Silhouette Fashion Eyewear becoming National Sales Manager where he remained until 2000 when he set up his own company Mimo P/L. He is currently Managing Director & CEO. He has been an ODMA Director since 2003, is the Deputy Chair, is a member of the Remuneration Committee and fulfils one of the finance roles on the executive committee.

Mr Mark Altman

Mark Altman commenced his ophthalmic career with OPSM in their Ophthalmic Instrument division in 1992, initially as a service engineer before moving to the role of Service manager, supporting OPSM’s internal optometric base and their instrumentation ophthalmology business across Australia and New Zealand.

After 6 years developing the OPSM Instrument service division, Mark moved into the sales environment, initially as product specialist promoting ophthalmic instrumentation to ophthalmology and private optometry, before taking on a national responsibility as product manager across Australia and New Zealand.

In 2003 Mark moved to Device Technologies, the largest independent medical distributor in Australia and New Zealand. At Device Technologies he has further developed his ophthalmic career as Business manager, being responsible for their Ophthalmic Diagnostic business across Australia and New Zealand.

Ms Gail Giordani

Gail Giordani is currently Head of ZEISS Vision Care.

Gail has a background in haematology and immunology research, medical technology, and business management. She began her career at ZEISS South Africa in 1999 as a member of the microscopy division focusing on the market development. In 2014, she was appointed Managing Director of Carl Zeiss (Pty) LTD, responsible for medical technology, industrial quality and research and consumer products business in sub–Saharan Africa. Later that year, she took over as Managing Director of Carl Zeiss Vision (Pty) LTD responsible for the vision care business in South Africa.

In March of 2021, Gail was transferred to Australia to head the ZEISS Vision Care business for ANZ. Gail brings international market development experience across multiple industries and an emerging market perspective on the optical industry.

Ms Jacque Katsieris

Jacque Katsieris started her Optical career in 1999 at Tower Optics/Jonathan Sceats Eyewear.

Learning each aspect of the Optical business through design and development of local brands such as RMWIlliams and Deborah Hutton to importing collections such as Tommy Hilfiger. Jacque worked closely with the sales representatives and built up very good relationships with customers that have continued through the last 20+ years. During her time at Tower Optics, Jacque organised the very successful MANAGE YOUR OWN PRACTICE series of training events. Bringing her relationships with Sola, Cooper Vision and BOC, she arranged this free training series throughout Australia for independent practices.

In 2009, Jacque and Raymond Kessler started ProOptics, distributing both high end and lifestyle collections, as well as design and development of proprietary brands for Australian fashion labels.

Jacque has a reputation for her close relationships with her customers and this insight into the day-to-day workings of Optical Practices gives her an opportunity to deliver what they need.

Ms Angelina Chee

General Manager - De Rigo

Angelina began her career in optics for L’Amy Australia over 20 years ago, gaining hands on experience across various facets of the business, from warehouse to customer service, sales and marketing. With her aptitude for nurturing relationships and strong interpersonal skills, Angelina quickly ascended to a marketing leadership role within the same organisation.

In 2016, Angelina was part of the management team that oversaw L’Amy’s acquisition by De Rigo Vision. Recognising her contributions and expertise, she was promoted to the role of General Manager in 2018, making her both the first woman and the youngest person to hold the title globally.

Angelina’s network of relationships across multiple sectors has been nurtured through years of strategic collaborations, partnerships and leadership roles. This has made her an invaluable source of authority in her field.

Angelina is enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from the collective expertise of fellow ODMA members, enhancing her own capabilities and bringing innovative perspectives to ODMA’s initiatives.

Ms Michelle North

General Manager, Australia and NZ - CooperVision

Michelle has been working at CooperVision since 2007 and has held several positions during her time there – from being onboarded as the first marketing role for CooperVision Australia and New Zealand after the launch of the Biofinity brand in 2007, to the Director of 1-day contact lenses for the North Americas, and for the last 5+ years serving as General Manager for the Australia and New Zealand region.

Prior to working at CooperVision, Michelle has worked in different industries in various roles, starting her professional career in Human Resources with Cochlear, then moving into the commercial space during her 8+ years at Panasonic, taking on different roles ranging from Market Analyst to Sales Executive to Product Marketing Manager.

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Psychology and Statistics, and a Post Graduate Certification in Marketing. She is a marketer at heart, a mother of two young girls and a recent presbyope (former emmetrope) who now enjoys both glasses and contact lenses. Michelle is highly passionate about the optical industry and would love to see more people experience the life-changing benefits of contact lenses as part of a holistic vision care plan.