Part of Lotus' success has been attracting enthusiastic staff, many of whom come into direct contact with our customers. Here's a pen sketch of who you might talk to.
If you call our office in Melbourne the phone will most likely be answered by Leigh Pearson (was Wilson, congratulations), who looks after folding door sales, the accounts department and provides vital admin. support to the business. The most important person in the business is Julie Hughes. Payroll Officer. Nuff said! These ladies report to our Financial Controller, Peter Schouw who adds vital depth to our Finance and Accounts Departments and is a bit of a financial oracle truth be known.
Our Victorian Sales team is well known to many. Allison Cadan (see below) has broadened her responsibilities to take on the Vic sales team, and brings considerable depth of knowledge of product, market, leadership and our business. Reporting to Ally in the Vic team are Chris Acker and the recently returned Marty Belcher who make a dynamic and effective team.
Commercial estimating and sales administration are ably lead by Allison Cadan. For those of you who have followed this ‘report’ over the years, you will already know that Ally has been with us for over 10 years, but has from time to time gone off to do a few different things, as you do. Reporting to Ally are Nicole ‘Schmidy’ Smith looking after the ‘more-exciting-than-it-sounds’ Sales Administration. Nicole has a new partner in crime and has recently joined by Emma Gordon to help wade through the ever increasing workload in the area. Sarah Scanlon looks after the Victorian builders and our export clients (what's that in feet and inches?). Also in Ally’s team is new girl Sharon Orrock (Shazzy if you don’t mind), and the returned Natalie Davis. Nat has nearly 10 years of (again somewhat interrupted) service with us (great to see you back Nat) and is involved in the SA, NT & WA market places. Last but never least is Taryn Gray who ably caters for the estimating in NSW and Tassie.
In the West we have our able Sales Manager, Gary Wardle, who after a brief hiatus making wine has re-joined us to make sure the Lotus voice is heard in the WA market. With growing demand in the West, Michael Preston is project managing the installation of our jobs with a combination of calm and charm. Mike is recently joined by Rob Van Den Elzen who bears a strong family resemblance to Mike...
In South Australia, you projects will be ably managed by Paul Santostefano, who escaped Victoria's Western borders to take up residence in SA. Before they are Project Managed they are sold by Michael Davey the Sales Manager for both SA & NT. Both are very proud of the new Panda Enclosure in Adelaide….
Over in the East, stoic performer David Cicchiello is our State Manager in Queensland who can sell and use a tape measure! David trades his four wheels for two on the weekends and has a passion for chromed accessories! We’re sad to see our Vince depart but are happy to welcome from South Africa Andrew Adre to assist Wayne Ritchings with Project Managing all our jobs in this growing state. Speaking of growing, we also have Majbritt Jansen joining David in the Queensland sales endeavour. A lady in our sales teams at last!
The NSW sales charge is lead by Andrew Savage and is ably assisted by Matthew Fellingham. These two are so wicked we cannot publish their anecdotes on this site! Heading up the project management side of the NSW business is Stephen Millar who is so capable he can turn a Glas-STAX wall into a pool fence. Steve is ably supported by Project Managers Christian Rimondi, Steve Forson, James Ferguson and and Michael Macdonald, who is responsible for servicing our growing wall base and is vital back up for our NSW operations. Steve Millar has also had a recent promotion to National Projects Manager. Congratulations Steve.
Going South, Tassie is managed by our long-time agent LOVAG. Alex van Gelderen is now firmly at the helm after a handover from parent Lou & Janna, continueing the Lotus / van Gelderen legacy. Alex has 10 years of construction experience (and some education!) working in the Sydney market, which sounds like a recipe for success to us.
Back in Melbourne, Lotus has consolidated its three production divisions under the indomitable Eddie Wilson. Eddie has Lisa Holloway, Dean Britton and Trent Doherty supervising the factory floor. Lisa is part of our history and very much part of what makes Lotus Lotus. Dean is working his way into ‘fixture’ status and is no longer the new boy. Trent is the new kid on the block but has quickly made his mark. Preparing factory cutting sheets is Terry Cathie who used to make ‘em so knows every last nut and bolt, Gareth Lewis (do not engage Gareth in philosophical debate!), and ex Chef and Industrial Designer, Chris La Nauze, and finally Phil Lowres who also used to make ‘em. Purchasing and freight are taken care of by Glenn ‘Spoons’ Harrigan and Rosi Tusitala who both manage the increasingly busy flow of goods in and out. Glenn’s purchasing agenda has grown and he has Allison Wytkamp assisting him. Tom Turcic and Craig Sorraghan are our formidable Victorian Project Managers who run our jobs on site and have learned to juggle installation schedules like a 'Cirque du Soleil' master.
Design & Development, this vital aspect of our business, is headed by Glen Anderson. Glen is our D&D Manager, who is an Industrial Designer by trade and by night cuts up a fine figure, in a kilt. Glen has Mov Ear and now Andy Howcroft reporting to him to give us the resource to make good on our commitment to innovative product design excellence.
Looking after all of these people is Steve Luxmoore, our HR & OHS Manager. Steve’s skills range from being a dab hand at the BBQ to marrying you (just a hobby!). He’s good at his job too.
Just because we have to keep things fair, here are Peter Hughes and Nick Diggens, owners and Managing Directors, who have the pleasure of working with the above team.
While this roll call may seem a little self indulgent, every one of these people is dedicated to helping you, our customer. Together with our factory staff they define a very important aspect of Lotus' success - a strong family feeling working for Lotus and providing the best service to our customers. At the end of the day it's the people that matter - you'll never get "press 1 for sales, press 2 for ..." at Lotus. You will always get someone helpful to speak to directly. So now you know a little bit about who's who.
