Amanda Trotman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA).
Ms Trotman replaces Finola Carey, who resigned having served as CEO for 27 years. She was ODMA’s Acting CEO for over twelve months while Ms Carey was on long service leave, and before that was General Manager and Project Manager of O=MEGA21.
“I have enjoyed the Acting CEO role immensely and work well with the Board. 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,” commented Ms Trotman. “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.”
Following a process, which included discussion and agreement on the requirements for a CEO at Board level, and a performance review completed by Ms Trotman and the ODMA Board HR subcommittee, it was unanimously agreed to the appointment.
Rob Sparkes, ODMA Board Chair stated “The ODMA Board are delighted to welcome Amanda as our 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!”
Ms Trotman’s achievements in the role to date include delivering a successful OSHOW22 event soon after COVID lockdowns were lifted, opening up conversations for collaborative opportunities with multiple industry players, and the implementation of detailed reporting across multiple business areas.
Amanda has demonstrated a remarkable ability to work with the board, our industry and partners over the last 18 months
Parallel Experiences
Prior to joining ODMA, 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.
Ms 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. Crucially, in recent years, Ms Trotman served as executive director for the Jewellers Trade Association, where she worked for three years.
Ms Trotman said she looks forward to applying her skills and prior experience to strengthen educational and networking opportunities for all team members of independent practice, an important customer segment for ODMA members, as well as delivering the event platforms, lobbying assistance and industry alerts and updates to support the industry’s 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. 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,” she said.
