It certainly hasn’t been a slow news week for the SBIA, not only did we present to our members a Round Table and the SBIA Awards event in Coogee Bay, we have also conducted our AGM and have exciting updates to share.
Michael ‘Heathy’ Heath, who has held the SBIA PRESIDENT title for the past 12 months (and a Board position 12 months prior), has stepped down from the Board and his role as PRESIDENT. Heathy, the former Chief Executive Officer of Surf Hardware International, has taken a role outside the boardsports industry as CEO of Aurora Expeditions. Heathy has been a valuable member of the SBIA Board for the last 2 years, and has made significant contributions to our initiatives, including spearheading our first Global Hardgoods Summit, attended by both SIMA and SBIA members. We’ll miss Heathy and his contribution to the Board and industry at large, however, we wish him all the best with his worldly expeditions.
Rhys Smith from Sanbah, our RETAIL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE, has also decided to step down from his role as he and his family travel around Australia. During Rhys’ time on the Board, he made significant contributions to the development of our Awards process, which was a huge success. A short but significant contribution from Rhys and we wish him all the best with his travels.
With the PRESIDENT’S role hanging in the balance, who better than to take the reins again but SBIA founding Board Member, long-term president and industry veteran, Anthony ‘Macka’ Wilson. Macka is no novice to this role, so we are super excited to have him back at the helm once more for another stint (short or long term, we’ll take what we can get).
This AGM also saw us welcome two new Board Members, (one who is actually making a comeback), Ian ‘Wooly’ Macpherson and Nathan Omodei. Wooly, from Star Surf + Skate, who was in fact a founding Board Member of the SBIA, will be returning as a RETAIL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE. To say we’re just a bit stoked to have him back is an understatement. With equal excitement, Nathan Omodei, CEO of The Leisure Collective, will be joining the Board as our BRAND BOARD REPRESENTATIVE. Nathan has a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience in the board sports industry, so we’re super excited to have his expertise. Whilst this may seem like a hostile takeover from the West, we assure you our new Board Members have been welcomed with open arms and we look forward to their contribution over the coming years.
The last few years have certainly been some to remember, and I am particularly grateful for the continued time, expertise and effort our Board Members give the SBIA whilst running their own businesses. I look forward to the year ahead and working with our new SBIA Board of Management.
Lyndall Browning | SBIA Executive Officer
Following is the current SBIA Board of Management:
President: Anthony “Macka” Wilson – Wilson Retail Co.
Vice President: Alison Thomas – General Manager, Volcom AU/NZ
Secretary/Treasurer: Damian Campbell – Head of Sales, Boardriders
Board Member: Neil Ritchie – Alto Sports
Board Member: Ian ‘Wooly’ Macpherson – Star Surf + Skate
Board Member: Nathan Omodei – CEO, The Leisure Collective
Independent Board Member: Brian Walker – CEO, Retail Doctor Group
Executive Officer: Lyndall Browning
Administration & Digital Assistant: Jenna Halcro-Dirks
