Our People
Meet the team keeping you and your organisation safe
Optic Security Group employs an expert team of people in locations across Australia and New Zealand, designing, installing and maintaining security solutions to meet the needs of over 1,400 customers.
Our goal is to continue growing and evolving as we take lead in the adoption and utilisation of converged security solutions across the region. We can only do that by having a fantastic team behind us. Our people, our suppliers and our customers mean the world to us. Having great people on board is what we’re all about.
If you’re keen to work with us, then we’re keen to hear from you. Take a look at our current vacancies on Seek, Linked In or click through below.
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Our team is committed to providing our clients, partners, and each other with the best possible security solutions. We are constantly innovating and improving our processes, procedures, and backups to ensure that we are always at the forefront of the industry.
Our T23 initiative is a key part of this commitment. T23 stands for "Transformation, Teamwork, and Trust." Through this ongoing initiative, we are creating a more open and collaborative environment where our team members have even more visibility and knowledge about our business, our clients, their needs, and their security requirements.
This increased visibility and knowledge will allow us to provide even better service to our clients. We will be able to identify and address security risks more quickly and effectively. We will also be able to build stronger relationships with our clients and partners based on trust and understanding.
We are confident that our T23 initiative will make us a stronger and more competitive security provider. We are committed to providing our clients with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they are in good hands.
GROUP EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Mike Cunningham
Managing Director
With over three decades in senior and strategic leadership roles, Mike is an accomplished CEO and board director. Beginning his career as a Chartered Accountant, Mike led high-performing financial services company The IA Group for over 20 years in international markets.
Mike has been involved with Optic Security Group in various leadership roles and as a board member for several years. He has played a key role in the evolution of the Group from its establishment and consolidation through to its continued success and the development of its cybersecurity and artificial intelligence capabilities.
As Managing Director, Mike provides strategic leadership to the Group as it achieves its vision as a world-leader in converged security solutions. He is a clear communicator employing a transparent and empowering management structure that focusses on delivering value to customers and staff.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Business, Accounting and Finance from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Denis Tarasov
Chief Financial Officer
Bringing over 20 years of global corporate experience in a range of private and public companies, Denis has advised executives in relation to business improvement and change management across the private and public sectors.
Denis joined Optic Security Group in June 2023, bringing with him an impressive track record in delivering results through integrating global best practices, generating actionable business insights, and improving operational efficiencies. As CFO, Denis steers the financial management of the Group, playing a leading role in strategic transformation initiatives.
A Certified Practicing Accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Denis holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Master of Applied Finance & Investment, and a Master of Professional Accounting.
Fiona Mackee
Group Human Resources Director
With over 15 years of Human Resources experience spanning across a multiple of industries, Fiona enjoys the variety and depth offered by the HR profession. Bringing an agile approach to the changing needs of an organisation, she finds satisfaction in innovative problem solving. Fiona joined Optic Security Group in 2021.
A Certified Practitioner Human Resources (CPHR), Fiona has worked across Commonwealth and State public sectors and within industry and is just as at home dispensing HR advice as she is formulating people strategies and implementing digital HR transformations. If she could solve one problem in the world, says Fiona, it would be ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity.
As Optic Security Group’s HR Director, Fiona leads the Group’s people and culture function and ensuring Optic maintains a people-led edge.
Anna Chisholm
General Manager
Optic Digital, NZ
With over a decade of experience in human resources and operational management within the tech sector, Anna is passionate about bringing together talented people and leading technology to address contemporary
organisational challenges.
Anna joined Comsmart as a Human Resources Consultant in 2014 prior to it becoming part of Optic Security Group in 2018. Her previous experience included roles in HR and recruitment at Aurecon and Kinetic Recruitment. An IT professional services specialist, Anna thrives at the intersection of people and technology and in locating and placing the best IT professionals in roles where they can really add value.
As Optic Security Group’s Head of Digital, Anna leads Optic Digital, the Group’s, the IT and Cyber division, leading a highly talented, client-focused team of IT professionals devoted to delivering future-focussed outcomes.
Rob Bates
Regional Manager VIC
Rob Bates joined Optic Security Group as a Project Manager in July 2021. As Regional Manager for Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales (Commercial), he is focused on operations and team development across the region.
Rob possesses significant experience in project management, service delivery and team management within the Victorian security industry
Rob holds an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering and is a qualified electrician.
Geoff Sondergeld
Chief Operating Officer
With over twenty-five years in senior leadership roles, Geoff has delivered complex strategic, operational and information technology transformation initiatives within many large commercial environments, domestically and internationally
Having joined Optic in 2023, Geoff has previously worked with publicly listed, private and government enterprises, including Corteva Agriscience, Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia Post and James Hardie.
He has also achieved successful consulting career working with customers across the retail, manufacturing, agribusiness, food, telecommunications, and outsourced logistics industries.
Geoff is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (majors in Operations Management and Marketing), a Diploma of Export Management and a certification in Production and Inventory Management.
Mark Lloyd
Group Sales Director
With over 25 years' experience in the electrical and security industry, Mark has worked in strategic roles in Sales and Operations and is experienced in implementing all-of-business approaches to delivering great solutions and customer experiences.
Joining Optic in 2020, Mark brings with him a thirst for meeting the needs of clients constantly evolving with the development of new technologies. Mark believes that security must always be understood as a business enabler, and his emphasis is on offering clients the best solution that maximises their business efficiencies and assists them to meet their organisational objectives.
As Group Sales Director, Mark leads our sales teams and processes including the CX function for Optic Security Group across Australia and New Zealand, including our professional IT Recruitment Services division, Optic Digital.
Nicholas Dynon
Group Brand Strategy & Innovation Director
Nick served 14 years with the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, including seven years in diplomatic missions in China and the Pacific, prior to a decade in New Zealand’s private security industry.
Having joined Optic Security Group in 2019, Nick leads the Group’s omni-channel marketing activities, CX, Bid Governance & Product Innovation initiatives, including the development of the Group's video analytics, AI, and cloud testing capabilities and trusted emerging tech solutions.
Nick holds a B.A. Hons, M.A. (ANU) and M.IntS Hons (Sydney), and is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia. He is a Certified Counter Terrorism Practitioner (CCTP), Associate Protection Professional (APP), Security Risk Management Professional – Country (SRMP-C), and Certified Member of the Institute for Strategic Risk Management (M.ISRM).
Nik Boeinghoff
General Manager NZ
Nik is a highly experienced sales and account manager having held senior roles in several large companies prior to joining Optic Security Group in early 2022 as a Key Account Manager, including Bosch, Signature Security Group and Rentokil Initial.
Based in Auckland, Nik has the lead role in developing Optic’s key customer relationships and ensuring all NZ operations are running at peak performance. His philosophy is centred on trust. “It’s all about building rapport with our customers to the extent that we become their trusted adviser as opposed to just selling security,” says Nik.
Nik holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing). He is passionate about delivering world class services to clients on the basis of meaningful customer relationships, communication, and a thirst for innovation.
Jobe Rout
Regional Manager NT, WA
Jobe Rout has over 15-years with Optic Security Group, joining in 2009 as an apprentice installation technician. He has held roles across the business, including Service Supervisor and Service & Technical Manager for the Northern Territory operations.
A highly skilled and experienced security technician, he also has gained the trust and respect from our customers across the region.
Jobe's focus is on building strong customer relationships and to continue the business as a powerhouse across the Northern Territory and Western Australian market.