Leadership Team

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Rodney Adam Suliteanu Chairman

In 1961, Rodney founded Western Optical, a Canadian optical distribution company. 50 years later, Western Optical has evolved into WestGroupe, with 2 frame divisions that distribute eyewear in Canada as well as exporting their proprietary brands to over 40 countries around the globe. Over the years, Rodney has grown his business, through hard work and smart business acumen. His strong notion of family, and his loyalty and commitment to his staff and business associates has fostered a corporate philosophy that focuses on our customer commitment to excellent service and exceptional products.

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Michael Suliteanu President

As a second-generation leader in Canada's optical industry, Montreal native and eyewear executive, Michael Suliteanu sits at the helm of his family's 50 year old Montreal-based company, WestGroupe Optical. In 1990, Michael joined the family business, which was founded as Western Optical in 1961 by his father Rod Suliteanu. Over the past 20 years, Michael has worked to learn the business from the ground up, starting as a sales representative in 1990 and moving through the hierarchy to VP sales in 1998. In 2009, he became President, overseeing day-to-day operations of both frame divisions Western Optical and Wescan.

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Beverly Suliteanu Vice-President of Product Development

In 1994, following positions as a marketing analyst and product manager in the pharmaceutical industry, Beverly Suliteanu joined her family’s business Westgroupe. Over the years she has held key positions in sales and purchasing and is currently Vice President of Product Development. Beverly oversees the development, design and manufacturing of Westgroupe’s proprietary eyewear brands as well as ensuring the proper product mix within the company’s brand portfolio. Beverly’s design perspective is influenced by the trends in fashion and interior design, as well as her love of travel and her interest in the unique and varied cultures she experiences around the world.

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Michael Debono Chief Operating Officer

Mike started his outstanding optical selling career in 1990. He spent 15 years launching and selling many prominent brands. Mike joined WestGroupe in June 2005 as Canadian National Sales Manager where he oversaw the expansion of the Canadian sales force. He was subsequently promoted to Vice President of North American Sales in March 2010. Mike has been instrumental in the global growth of WestGroupe, which lead to his promotion to Executive Vice-President of Global Sales in 2015. In February 2018, Mike was promoted to Chief Operating Officer where he continues to oversee the sales teams along with the corporate head office.

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Dennis Davis Vice President of Sales - WestGroupe USA

After serving in the US Marine Corps and getting his degree from East Tennessee State University, Dennis began his career in the optical industry in 1990 as a territory sales representative in the United States. Dennis held positions of both National Trainer and Regional Manager before being promoted to Vice President of Sales for the United States in 2004 for a worldwide leading optical company. Dennis has overseen all aspects of a sales organization and in December 2014, he made the exciting move to Vice President of Sales for WestGroupe USA.

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Joon Man Cho Vice President of Technology and Supply Chain

Joon is responsible for ensuring that Westgroupe’s technology platform is aligned with the corporate strategy, while optimized to support continuous improvement of internal processes. He has more than thirty years of I.T experience. Prior to joining Westgroupe, he worked at Via Rail Canada, Air Canada and Aon Hewitt (Global Outsourcing) supporting key account clients including Rogers, CIBC and Bank of Montreal. He brings to Westgroupe a wealth of knowledge in both business and technology. Joon completed his Bachelor of Engineering and MBA at McGill University.

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Donna Lisk Chief Financial Officer

With a CPA, CGA designation, and an MBA in Finance, Donna Lisk has over 30 years of experience in Corporate Finance and Accounting in the consumer goods industry. She began her career in the electrical industry where she rose through the ranks to the position of Business Administration Manager. In 1999, she transitioned to the apparel industry where she spent 14 years in the Canadian division of a large multinational company and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2009. She subsequently has held CFO positions in two other well-known apparel companies before joining the Westgroupe family in February 2021.

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Alexis Nyiro Director of Product Development and Marketing

After getting her degree in Business Marketing from Concordia University, Alexis joined WestGroupe in 2009 in the product development department. She was subsequently promoted to Manager of Product Development. Alexis has been instrumental in the design and development of WestGroupe's product portfolio and has been an integral part of marketing WestGroupe's brands over the years which led to her promotion to Director of Product Development and Marketing in 2020.

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Wallatta Delvaille Key Account and Export Manager

Wallatta Delvaille joined Westgroupe in 2006, and was promoted to International Customer Service Manager in 2007. With Westgroupe’s brands; Kliik denmark, Fysh and Evatik being distributed in over 40 countries worldwide, her BA in Human Relations and experience in customer service has helped her manage this fast-paced department. With the rapid growth of the business, and successful workflow management, Wally serves as the liaison between the company and the distributors. She has learned that every country has particular needs and that providing quality service is key in developing strong business relationships.

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Mylène Émond Eastern Canada Sales Manager

Mylene has been in the optical industry for the last 15 years on both the retail and wholesale sides of the business. She joined WestGroupe in 2010 as a Sales Representative for the Wescan division in Eastern Quebec. Mylene is a certified Optician, who also holds a degree in Fashion Marketing and has studied business and sales management at the University level. In 2014, Mylene took on the role of Eastern Canada Sales Manager and has recently taken on the role of Eastern Canada Sales Director.

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Darin Gooda Western Canada Sales Manager

Darin has over 15 years of experience in the optical industry, including 13 as a sales rep in the Western and Ontario territories. He has been with WestGroupe for over 10 years, becoming Western Canada Sales Manager in January of 2020. Prior to making the career transition to the optical field, he worked in the retail electronics industry for 13 years, as a Store Manager, Regional Marketing Manager, and Regional Sales Manager. This experience has given him the tools to help our Optical partners navigate the ever-changing world of retail.

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Christopher Mullen Central Regional Sales Manager - WestGroupe USA

With a 17-year career in the soft drink business, Chris made the shift to optical in 1997. His first challenge was to pioneer a territory in Oklahoma where his hard work and dedication were rewarded with Rookie of the Year and Rep of the Year. Following his success in the field, he was promoted to Regional Manager in 2000. Chris is a great leader and some of his proudest moments were seeing multiple team members win Rep and Rookie of the Year, as well as his team winning Region of the Year on numerous occasions. Since joining WestGroupe in 2016 as Central Regional Sales Director, Chris has proven his sales and leadership skills are result-oriented, leading to his promotion to National Sales Manager in 2017.

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Heidi Orlando North-Eastern Regional Sales Manager - WestGroupe USA

Heidi launched her career in sales management more than 20 years ago in the textile industry, where she earned numerous sales awards. She came into the optical industry with a leading optical company in 2010, and her sales contributions resulted in her induction into the President’s Circle. Heidi joined WestGroupe USA in 2015, earning the Sales Rep of the Year award in 2016 for her outstanding sales achievements. In September 2017, Heidi was promoted to the position of Regional Sales Director in the Northeast.

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Christopher Allen South-Eastern Regional Sales Manager - WestGroupe USA

Chris started his optical career in 1993, where he worked as an independent rep for 11 years and earned both Rookie and Sales Rep of the Year distinctions. Over the years, Chris’ path led him to take on different management roles that lead to several Manager of the Year awards. As a seasoned optical professional, Chris understands what it takes to succeed in the industry. In November 2017, Chris joined WestGroupe USA as the Southeast Regional Sales Director.

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Jim Sepanek Western Regional Sales Manager - WestGroupe USA

With nearly 30 years of expertise in the optical industry, Jim Sepanek has served as the Vice President of Business Development at De Rigo Rem. He has held executive positions at SPY Optic, Signature Eyewear, Revo, and Rem Eyewear, championing a dedicated and innovative approach to advancing business, sales and brand development. As the Western Regional Sales Manager with WestGroupe USA, Jim oversees the development and performance of sales in the Western Region with an agenda of driving key performance metrics necessary to realize the company's potential.