Keith Lane - CEO and Managing Director Leading Edge Group
Under his astute leadership since November 1998, and fuelled by his commitment to the independent operators, Leading Edge has seen enormous growth in the support structure for group members, particularly in areas of collated order management, central credit, and co-ordinated marketing effort.
His action-oriented leadership style and his willingness to invest in the future have attracted a management team who share his win-win-win business philosophy. Leading Edge Group aspires to be the champion of independent businesses across Australia
Michael Carr General Manager Leading Edge Electronics
Michael Carr was appointed General Manager of Leading Edge Electronics shortly after its inception in 2004. Michael brings with him a wealth of experience in electronics retailing in a variety of disciplines. Starting in a Dick Smith Electronics (DSE) store in 1982, his progressive career included roles as Store Manager, Area and state Manager and National Sales Manager for Resellers. In this role Michael was responsible for total operations and support functions for 120 independent stores across Australia as well as mail orders, internet, commercial and corporate sales. In his final year at DSE Michael held the role of National Property Development Manager responsible for all aspects of design, building, store layout and merchandising.
Once Michael accepted his role, he then set out to build a support team capable of supporting and growing this exciting new business. Michael had worked with many successful and capable people during his time at DSE and recruited the following people for their expertise and passion in each of their fields.
Lee Scott Merchandise Manager Leading Edge Electronics
Lee Scott was also appointed shortly after the group was formed. Lee has experience in all areas of consumer electronics, dealing with major suppliers in the computer, communications, electronics and home entertainment industry. Lee has extensive experience in overseas sourcing and supplier relationships maintaining many key contacts in Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan and the USA.
Previously, Lee was employed for 19 years with DSE, again having started in retail stores. Lee however joined the DSE buying team in 1995 and progressed to Group Product Manager for Electronics responsible for the entire electronics portfolio including all aspects of products and marketing. Lee was awarded Buyer of the Year for Dick Smith Electronics in 1995/1996. Lee also took part in a number of project management roles including the acquisition of Tandy and its integration and Project Refresh, a cost reduction initiative.
Helios Leon Product Manager Leading Edge Electronics
Helios joined the team in June 2006, and has held a number of roles with DSE over a period of 15 years. Starting in stores and then taking on a variety of management and project management roles including Store Procedures and Policies Development, New Employee Inductions, Warehouse and Distribution Manager, Retail Store Refurbishment and Retail Development Manager. Helios also spent 4 years in the DSE buying group before taking a Product Manager role with Millers Retail Limited where he was responsible for electronics, electrical, automotive, outdoor & camping, furniture, hardware, gardening and pet accessories.
Charlie Fisher Merchandise & Marketing Coordinator Leading Edge Electronics
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Charlie joined the Leading Edge team in June 2008 after moving to Australia as a permanent resident in the January 2008 from the UK.
For her first six months in Australia, Charlie was working for a construction magazine where she was responsible for organising photo shoots, checking copy and working closely with the graphic artists and publisher to coordinate the content for each quarterly magazine.
In the UK, Charlie was the subject leader for Media Studies and an English teacher at a secondary school in England, where she was responsible for instilling the subject of Media Studies into the curriculum of a state of the art Media Arts Specialist school.
Charlie has always had an interest in all things Media, and so a move to assist the marketing process within the Electronics team at Leading Edge gave her the opportunity to explore this further.
David Stuart - Marketing Manager Leading Edge Electronics
David was appointed at the inception of the group in September 2004 and is recognised in the industry as as expert in his field. David worked for Dick Smith Electronics for 12 years from 1992 and was responsible for all Advertising and Public Relations for Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy stores including catalogues, press, radio, TV and point of sale plus new store launches. David was also on the Woolworths Master Media Committee and involved in annual rate negotiations for the Woolworths Group and brings with him invaluable knowledge and contacts in the marketing and advertising industry.
Prior to his role at DSE, David was General Manager of a large retail advertising agency handling accounts such as BIG W, Tandy Electronics, Fletcher Fotographics, Soul Pattinson Pharmacies, Hooker Shopping Centres, Woolworths Homemakers Centres and fashion retailers such as Sportique and Trent Nathan. David maintains active external involvement in national newspaper audit committees.
Susan Miller Administration Coordinator Leading Edge Electronics
Susan joined the team shortly after the group was formed. She started her administration career with CSR Readymix in Brisbane. After 6 years with a desire for a more personalised PA career in mind, Susan moved to Sydney where she took up the role of Wholesale Secretary with DSE.
Susan was directly involved with the DSE and Tandy resellers for four years before taking on the role as Operations Administrator under the National Operations Manager for the last two years before accepting her role at LEE.
