The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) Board has revealed Ms Amanda Trotman will head up the association permanently as CEO.
Her appointment follows the board’s consideration of CEO candidates to replace Ms Fiona Carey who served ODMA for 27 years and was CEO since 2010. She has taken up semi-retirement.
Trotman has been acting CEO for more than 12 months while Carey was on long service leave. ODMA says she has thrived in the role, after serving as general manager and project manager of O=MEGA21.
“I have enjoyed the acting CEO role immensely and work well with the board,” she said.
“I have really loved being able to get out and meet many industry members face-to-face in 2022 and feel I fit in and have a lot to offer the optical industry despite me only being a part of it for a couple of years now.
“I feel my varied industry experience and the range of size and type of organisations I have worked for brings a fresh approach plus my vast events and marketing experience will be well utilised given ODMA’s focus on live events.”
During the recruitment process, the board met to discuss the importance of getting the right person for the role, outlined all the key attributes and how crucial a cultural fit was given the importance and profile of the role. A performance review was also completed with Trotman by the HR sub-committee of the ODMA Board. The full board unanimously voted that Trotman had demonstrated the required qualities to meet the challenges of the role.
Mr Rob Sparkes, ODMA Board chair, said the board was delighted to welcome Trotman as CEO.
“Amanda has demonstrated a remarkable ability to work with the board, our industry and partners over the last 18 months. Congratulations Amanda on this well-deserved appointment,” he said.
Trotman’s achievements in the role to date included delivering a successful OSHOW22 event soon after the COVID lockdowns, and the implementation of detailed reporting across multiple business areas.
She has worked for major corporations in project management and marketing roles and with not-for-profits in business development roles. She has also previously launched and managed her own enterprises, one in event management and one in small business coaching.
Trotman achieved a Bachelor of Business and has a post graduate qualification in tourism and event management. She was ranked 15th on the Business Review Weekly self-made female entrepreneur list when she ran her own event management business and was a Telstra Small Business Award NSW finalist. She also served on the Meetings Industry Association of Australia NSW Board. In recent years she served as executive director for the jewellers trade association, where she worked for three years.
She said she has found many parallels from her past career experience and looks forward to applying her skills to strengthen educational and networking opportunities for all team members of independent practices, an important customer segment for ODMA members. She’s also looking forward to delivering events, lobbying assistance and industry alerts and updates to support ophthalmic distributors and manufacturers.
“I am excited to continue taking the role forward and in building more great relationships and continuing the strong presence and stability that ODMA has accomplished for many years,” she said.
“I am excited to progress my own continued learning and to assist in finding solutions to challenges that arise for ODMA members. I look forward to helping take ODMA into the future by being a collaborative, organised and committed CEO for the ODMA Board and ODMA members.”
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