PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

A wrap on the latest appointments and industry movements within the Australian ophthalmic sector.

EXPERIENCED OPTOS EMPLOYEE RETURNS Mr Tim Trede has returned to Optos as account manager for Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Over the past 10 years Tim has worked in various roles throughout the ophthalmic industry and after a short hiatus from Optos, he’s back. When asked about the return to Optos, Tim said “it’s great to be back home!”

NEW CEO FOR VISION 2020 AUSTRALIA AS JUDITH ABBOTT DEPARTS The peak body for the eye health and vision care has appointed former Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) head Ms Patricia Sparrow as its new CEO. Sparrow commenced in the role on 27 September, taking over from Ms Judith Abbott who is assuming the role of CEO at Carers Victoria. Sparrow has also previously worked in consumer health advocacy, in departmental roles and as a senior adviser to federal government ministers. NATIONAL OPTICAL CARE APPOINTS PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER National Optical Care recently welcomed Mr George Nilas as its new practice development manager in Queensland. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the optometry sector. He spent four years as Queensland regional manager with Bailey Nelson and prior to this was store manager of its flagship Brisbane CBD store. He is a qualified dispenser and has also worked in a variety of roles with Specsavers, iLab Optics and OPSM.

LUXOTTICA ANNOUNCES INTERNAL APPOINTMENT Ms Elizabeth Kodari has taken on a new role as health fund and business partnerships sales manager for Luxottica, responsible for relationships and business development with corporate partners and health funds. Over the past six years, she has held numerous roles within Luxottica including managing optometrist to professional services manager for NSW and ACT. “I am incredibly fortunate and proud to work for a company that has nurtured my professional development as both an optometrist and a leader,” she said. MOVEMENTS WITHIN THE UNSW OPTOMETRY SCHOOL Dr Revathy Mani has joined as an EducationFocused Lecturer at School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney. She is involved in teaching Binocular Vision and her research interest is focused on studying eye movement deficits in people with traumatic brain injury.

NEW CEO FOR AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) has announced Mr Pete Haydon has been appointed CEO, resigning from his position at the helm of Optometry Victoria South Australia after seven years. Haydon said he was eager to get started in his new role, which he’ll commence on 22 November, with Professor Michael Ibbotson continuing as interim CEO until then. “I genuinely believe in the work the ACO does and there is a strong fit with my own personal philosophy and professional goals,” Haydon said.