
ODMA Board
Mr Craig Chick - Chair
Craig began working at Safilo in 1982 and held several positions during his 13 years there – from Customer Service, to warehousing to Sales before joining Hoya Lens Australia in 1995. After 13 years with Hoya, Craig became Managing Director of Rodenstock Australia where he stayed for 4 years before being woo-ed back By Hoya.
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.
Mr Brad Saffin - Deputy Chair
Brad Saffin is the Managing Director of Marchon Eyewear with responsibility for the Marchon Eyewear, VSP Optics and Dragon Alliance business’s across Australia and New Zealand.
Brad has over 20 years’ experience in eyewear wholesaling roles. Immediately prior to starting his current role in 2015, Brad and his family were based in California where he was Senior Vice Principal of Sales / Marketing at Dragon Alliance with responsibility for global sales and marketing execution.
Brad is member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science.
Brad brings a wealth of experience and specialist skills to the ODMA Board. He provides important overview of the associations financial reporting and compliance functions and is a member of ODMA’s HR subcommittee. Beyond his Optical experience, Brad has unique experience from the sport retail channel that provides added value to Board discussion.
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.