ODMA Board
ODMA BOARD – PROFILE OF MEMBERS
MR BOB BODEN
After completing the last ever Leaving Certificate at Randwick Boys High School in 1965 I began my then unplanned,but now lifetime ophthalmic career at OPSM as a cadet optical dispenser in1966 from which I qualified 4 years later.
I resigned from OPSM in late1970 to travel. I was a C class passenger on the Australis from Sydney to Southampton,which was the last ever passenger voyage between Australia and the UK.I worked in odd jobs in London for a year,and then travelled overland back to Australia via Europe to Turkey, through South and South East Asia.
Upon return I secured my first wholesale optical position with Carl Zeiss for 3 years,and then was appointed as the first full time sales representative for Hoya Lens Australia. I remained at Hoya for 22 years attaining positions including state sales manager, national sales manager and planning manager. I moved to Perkins Optical in 1997,who merged with Essilor a short time later. I remained there until 2000 when I began my current agency business Chilli Optics.
I was elected to the Odma Board in 1996. . As well as my normal Board responsibilities, I am ODMA's Australian and International Standards Associations representative.
I am married with 4 daughters and 2 grand children. My other than optical interests include reading, bird watching, walking, surfing, golf, cycling and all things family and health orientated.
MR RICHARD GRILLS
After commencing work as a trainee Dispensing Optician at OPSM in 1960, Richard worked in various positions in that company until 1976. During this period he also became the Principal of the Guild of Dispensing Opticians Optical Dispensing Training Course and conducted this course for approximately 8 years.
Richard also became a lecturer in Optics on the Ophthalmology Part I Course at Sydney University during 1970. This position continues today however the Course is now titled “Masters in Visual Science”.
From 1976 to 1978 Richard was employed by SLE Medical, the then distributor of the first Ophthalmic Lasers, Phaco Emulsification and Vitrectomy systems in Australia.
In 1978 Richard founded Designs For Vision Pty Ltd with two Optical Dispensing outlets. The company changed to distribution of Ophthalmic and Optometric products in 1982 and eventually the dispensing practices were sold.
Designs For Vision today is one of the leading distributors of Ophthalmic and Optometric products throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Richard is currently the Chairman of the Optical Distributors & Manufacturers’ Association (ODMA); a Director of the Genetic Eye Foundation (GEF); a Director of the Bionic Eye Foundation and Vice-Chairman of the National Ophthalmic Suppliers’ Association (NOSA).
MR JONATHON LEWIS
I have been working in the eyewear industry for over 12 years with General Optical and am now Managing Director. As part of a frame and sunglass wholesaler, I have experience with most aspects of the industry, from small independent optical businesses, specialty sunglass retailers, department store chains and optical laboratories throughout Australia and New Zealand. With a tertiary qualification in management and marketing I have experienced both the sales and marketing “front end” and “operational and logistic” back end of the market place.
Due to the distribution partnerships that General Optical is part of, I have regular communication, cooperation and insight with four international eyewear businesses, including VSP-Marchon, Viva, REM and De Rigo. I have also had involvement with the Australian Sunglass Association and with Optometry Giving Sight.
With my experience and background, I believe I can add value to the ODMA board through fair representation of the long term interests of the wider industry.
MR LIONEL MINTER 1970 - 1973 : Apprenticed Optical Mechanic in private optometrical practice in Melbourne. Discipline in spectacle fabrication and optical dispensing. 1973 - 1974 : Optical Products P/L. (VIC). Fitting Lab Supervisor for 1 year, Sales Rep optical frames and instruments for 1 year. 1975 - 1986 : SOLA (VIC). Sales Rep for lenses for both SOLA and HOYA who were in joint venture at the time (1 year). SOLA (SA) Technical Services Rep attached to R&D (1 year). International duties throughout Asia & South America servicing and installing optical laboratories (2 years). SOLA (VIC) Production & Operations Manager incorporating ophthalmic lab, mould manufacturing, mass production stock lenses and plano sunglass glazing facility (7 years). SOLA (VIC) Sales Manager (1 year).
1986 - 1999 Silhouette Fashion Eyewear / GENOP Sales Rep (VIC, SA, TAS) (10 years). Sales Manager (VIC, SA, TAS) (2 years). National Sales Manager (1 ). 2000 - Current : Mimo P/L. Owner, Director & CEO. Optical eyewear & sunglass wholesale importer & distributor. 2005 - Current : ODMA Director.
MR DUY PHUONG NGUYEN In 1980 Phoung graduated from the University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with a Bach. Of Mechanical Engineering. In 1994 Phoung graduated with an MBA from Macquarie University. Phoung has over 20 years involvement in the Australian optical industry since 1986. Phoung has experience in all Lenses related fields and a specific interest in M&A, Business Strategies and Project Management.
Phoung has contributed greatly to ODMA. Phoung has been a member of the ODMA Executive Committee since 1991 and has participated in all ODMAfairs since 1987. Phoung has contributed to all ODMA led industry wide initiatives- GST, Import Tarriff submission, freight studies and members education to name but a few.
Phoung is currently a director of the following companies: Essilor Australia P/L, Essilor New Zealand P/L, Essilor Lens Australia P/L, City Optical P/L, Olab Optical P/L, TEC Optik P/L, Sunix Computer Consultants P/L and PSG P/L. As well as being a member if Essilor International’s Asia Pacific Executive Committee. Phoung is married with children.
MR PAUL STACEY
Paul Stacey is the General Manager of Shamir Australia's laboratory. Paul is a former director of multi-national lens company Hoya Lens Australia and before that managed a number of retail optical stores. Paul is also a qualified optical dispenser.
During Paul’s 8 years as a director of ODMA he has initiated many of ODMA’s educational and marketing and research projects. He was the technical editor of the Spectacle story DVD and the Basic Lens Dispensing series in the Optical Retail Guide plus he is the author of a number of the tools provided in the ORG.
He also served as a panelist on the highly acclaimed Independent’s Survival Guide and is the board’s resident expert on ODMA’s research. Paul is the Deputy Chairman of the board.
MR JOHN TOOULI
John Toouli is the Managing Director of Bollé Australia Pty Ltd and has held the role for 9 years. John has been in the Sunglass Industry for over 15 years and has held several key roles in the company. These roles include National Sales Manager and General Manager Sales and Marketing.
Prior to Bollé, John has worked in senior Sales and Marketing roles with some high profile consumer organisations, namely Pacific Brands (Grosby and Adidas) and Mattel Toys.
Elected to the ODMA Executive Board in June 2006, John was the first elected member of the Executive Board to represent the sunglass industry sector.
MRS GAYE WYMOND - B.A. DIP. ED. G.A.I.C.D.
For the last eight years, I have been proud to hold a position on the ODMA Board. I believe the composition of the Board is critical in the decision making process with all sectors of the Australian Optical industry being fairly represented. As a frame wholesaler and owner of Eyes Right Optical with more than twenty years experience in the industry, I believe I add value to the ODMA Board by representing the interests of the frame wholesalers in particular and the Australian Optical industry in general.
As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I am passionate about good governance and continuous improvement of organizations. I am also passionate about protecting and growing the Australian independent optical market. For me, an ODMA Board position provides the perfect opportunity to blend these two synergies.
