Optima's Mark Ung joins Synnex

The younger brother of Cornel Ung, Optima's founder and managing director, has taken on the role of senior product manager at Synnex.

In an exclusive interview with CRN, Ung said he joined the distributor in March and is becoming more involved with the channel side of business.

"[I was at] Optima for more than 10 years and worked as a procurement manager," said Ung.

"I was looking for a change from the OEM market and the work [at Synnex] is definitely challenging."

Ung said his previous position required a lot more external work. He now has to deal with people from all levels of the channel.

"My [role] is based in NSW and I have to identify potential customers and go after them," he said.

 "I'm definitely learning more."

Ung said most of the resellers he has met said there was an initial slowdown in the market, but it's beginning to pick up.

"I forsee a good financial year for Synnex," he said.

When CRN asked Ung about his thoughts on Optima, he said he couldn't comment on the company because the company's "liquidation was still in progress".

Optima was one of the longest running white box builders in Australia.

The company announced in July 2008 that it had appointed David Mansfield and Rick Porter of Moore Stephens as voluntary administrators for its subsidiaries Optima Technology Solutions, Digital City Group and 3CSHOP International.

By October of last year, Optima's parenting company - Optima ICM - was forced to call in the administrators.

At the time many CRN readers expressed their disappointment and sadness at the loss of the local company.