VANTAGE SSA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Field Technician
- Technician
Albert first entered the Precision Farming industry in 2022 and joined the Vantage SSA team in 2023 as Field Technician. He has a strong passion for agriculture and farming.
Being a people person, Albert enjoys the interaction with customers and has a hands-on approach when faced with challenges.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Expert - Agriculture
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of Group Executive Committee
Charles Meyer is Managing Director: OPTRON Technologies. He has 31 years' experience in the Geomatics industry and joined the company in January 2003, as the East Coast Branch Manager. He was promoted to National Sales Manager in 2006, Sales Director in 2013 and then Managing Director in January 2018 - acknowledgement for his contribution to OPTRON's growth and development.
Charles holds a National Diploma in Surveying, is registered as a Surveyor with PLATO and is a member of the South African Geomatics Institute.
Prior to joining OPTRON, Charles ran his own successful survey practice, specializing in engineering surveys throughout Africa, which he subsequently sold.
Job Titles:
- Member of Group Executive Committee
- Technology Executive
Ian has been with OPTRON for almost 20 years in various roles, including Technical Director, Head of New Business and Technology and Head of Innovation. He currently holds the position of Group Technology Executive.
Prior to this Ian headed up the OPTRON Mining Division and was responsible for technical sales and managing the implementation of Trimble's Mining Enterprise Software Solution. Ian has also held roles in technical sales and branch management and has experience in the land surveying and mining industries.
Ian holds a BSc degree in Land Surveying and is registered as a Professional Land Surveyor in Namibia and South Africa.
Job Titles:
- Financial Executive
- Member of Group Executive Committee
Izak joined OPTRON in April 2014 as the Financial Executive. Izak studied at the University of Pretoria and obtained his B.Com Accounting (Hons) in 1995 He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998.
He started his career in the Pepkor group as a financial accountant and left the group in 2010 as the financial director. After Pepkor , he spent three years with the Jasco group in the security division.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Member of the Management Team
Jaco joined Vantage SSA in June 2016 as the Business Development Consultant and was appointed General Manager in November 2018. In January 2023, Jaco was appointed as Director and member of the Executive Committee.
He obtained a B Com Hons degree in Investment Management from the University of the Free State in 2001.
He has worked in the Precision Farming Industry for the last 14 years and the majority of that was with the Trimble range of products. Agriculture has always been close to his heart and Jaco is very passionate about technology applications in the farming environment.
Job Titles:
- Member of Group Executive Committee
- Strategic Projects Executive
Johann Erbe first became involved with OPTRON in 2003, and has held a variety of management positions within the company.
Johann served in the South African Navy from 1979 to 1989 as a Combat Officer, primarily on Strike Craft. During his Naval career he graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B. Mil degree. He resigned his commission with the rank of Lieutenant Commander to pursue his interests in the commercial world.
Since leaving the Navy, Johann has been involved with a number of electronic companies in the capacity of CEO. More recently, he has consulted to a number of technology based companies on management and operational issues. He is currently the Strategic Projects Executive for Vantage SSA, a subsidiary company of OPTRON Group (Pty) Ltd.
Leandra joined Vantage SSA in 2024, as the Regional Sales Manager in the Western Cape area. She has been working in the Agriculture industry and involved with Trimble Precision Ag solutions since 2013.
Leandra has a passion for people, with customer satisfaction as a first priority. Having worked in the industry for over 10 years, she understands the daily challenges that farmers face and is equipped with the knowledge and experience to streamline farming operations, by implementing the latest Precision Ag technology.
Job Titles:
- Sales Director
- Sales Director: South Africa
Mark has more than 21 years' experience in Trimble technologies; including Geospatial, Building Construction, Heavy Civil Construction, Marine Construction and Precision AG. He first joined OPTRON in 1997 as the Branch Manager in Durban where he was very successful in growing Trimble's market share in the territory. He later moved to the head office in Johannesburg where he took on the role of Sales and Marketing Manager.
In 2006 Mark formed a new company, CLM Position Solutions, and together with his business partners, they focused on the Construction and Precision Farming sectors. In 2015 OPTRON acquired the business and renamed it to SITECH SA. Today Mark is the OPTRON Group Sales Director (South Africa) and General Manager of SITECH SA.
He has a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from Natal Technicon which he obtained in 1987. Prior to joining OPTRON Mark was with the National Department of Agricultural Engineering, based in Pietermaritzburg.
Job Titles:
- Group HR Manager
- Member of the Management Team
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of Group Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Group Director
- Member of Group Executive Committee
Shayne graduated with a National Diploma Engineering Survey from Cape Town University of Technology. He has over 10 years of engineering survey, hydrographic and mining industry experience.
Since joining OPTRON in 2008, Shayne has been responsible for all Sales Business outside of South Africa, playing a major role in expanding OPTRON business in the Rest of Africa, currently holding the position of Group Director.
Before joining OPTRON, he worked for companies such as De Beers, Finsch Mine and Gemcom Software International.
Job Titles:
- Group Marketing Manager
- Member of the Management Team
Stephen joined OPTRON Group in February 1997 and currently holds the position of Group Marketing Manager.
He obtained his National Diploma Survey (with distinction) from the Tshwane University of Technology and has over 30 years' experience in the geospatial industry.
Job Titles:
- Financial Manager
- Member of the Management Team
Tessa joined OPTRON Group in August 2016 as Financial Manager.
She has 24 years' financial experience with a B. Compt. Honours and completed her 3 years articles with Deloitte. Her experience includes working in diverse sectors with focus on earthmoving, medical, ICT and agriculture chemical products.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Group Executive Committee
- Executive Chairman
- in 1995 As Technical Director
Trevor Venter joined OPTRON in 1995 as Technical Director. Trevor has over 30 years' experience in ICT distribution, which includes executive management, sales & marketing, strategy, mergers and acquisitions in the geospatial, construction, mining and precision agriculture technology industries.
Prior to joining OPTRON, Trevor was employed as a professional land surveyor with the now National Geo-spatial Information (NGI), a component of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. Trevor holds a National Diploma in Surveying and a Geomatics Engineering degree (Cum laude) from the University of Cape Town and is registered as a professional land surveyor with the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors.
Apart from his initial Technical Director appointment, Trevor also served as Strategic and Managing Director within OPTRON and is currently the Executive Chairman of the OPTRON Group Board.