Ocular’s Board of Directors
Thomas O. Hicks, Chairman of the Board, Chairman, Hicks Holdings
Thomas O. Hicks is founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hicks Holdings LLC, a Dallas-based family office that owns and manages the Thomas and Cinda Hicks Family’s sports, real estate, corporate assets, and investments. Previously, Mr. Hicks co-founded, and was Chairman from 1989 through 2004 of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, Inc., a nationally prominent private equity firm specializing in leveraged acquisitions. During Mr. Hicks’s tenure as Chairman, HMTF successfully raised over $12 billion of private equity funds, consummated over $50 billion of leveraged acquisitions, and was one of the world’s most active private investment firms. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Hicks was Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Hicks & Haas, a Dallas-based private equity firm. The successful acquisitions of HMTF and Hicks & Haas included AMFM Inc., A&W Brands, Inc., Berg Electronics, Inc., Dr Pepper/Seven Up Companies, International Home Foods, Life Partners Group, Pinnacle Foods, Sybron International, and Yell Group plc, among others.
Mr. Hicks graduated with an MBA from the University of Southern California in 1970 and a BBA from the University of Texas in 1968. He is also a past recipient of the University of Texas’ Distinguished Alumnus Award, and has served several years as a Distinguished Guest Lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Joe Fiamingo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ocular
Joe Fiamingo serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocular. With over 35 years of hands-on operational and management experience, Mr. Fiamingo is a leading manufacturing executive with experience in multiple business sectors. Previously Mr. Fiamingo held the position of President and CEO at Conner Steel Products and International Wire Group. Mr. Fiamingo also served as President and COO of Courtesy Corporation, Executive Vice President of General Cable Corporation, Senior Vice President of J.B. Poindexter and Senior Advisor to Chanin Capital Partners. Mr. Fiamingo has an extensive background working with private equity groups and has led or participated in over 25 strategic acquisitions, integrations, consolidations and sales transactions.
Robert Swartz, Managing Director and Partner, Hicks Holdings
Robert Swartz has been a managing director and partner of Hicks Equity Partners since 2007.
Prior to his role at Hicks Equity Partners, Mr. Swartz held several positions at Centex Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange home building company. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Swartz served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning, and Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Swartz then took on the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centex HomeTeam Services from 2000 to 2007. Prior to Centex Corporation, Mr. Swartz was an executive officer of various public companies.
Mr. Swartz currently serves as a director of Resolute Energy Corporation, Anvita, Inc. and Ocular Touch, LLC. Mr. Swartz received a Bachelors of Science degree in accounting from the State University of New York in Albany in 1973 and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from New Hampshire College in 1976. Mr. Swartz is a Certified Public Accountant.
Christina Weaver Vest, Managing Director, Hicks Holdings
Christina Weaver Vest is a managing director and partner of Hicks Equity Partners LLC. From 2005 until April 2007 she served as a senior vice president of its affiliate, Hicks Holdings.
Ms. Vest previously served as a Principal at HM Capital Partners (formerly Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst), which she joined in 1995. At HM Capital, Ms. Vest principally focused on the firm’s domestic branded consumer products investments as well as on several Latin American media investments.
Ms. Vest currently serves as a director of Ocular Touch, LLC, and of Anvita Health, a provider of decision support systems for healthcare professionals. She is also a director of various HM Capital portfolio companies, including Sturm Foods, Inc., a global dry grocery manufacturer, and Fox Pan American Sports, an international sports programming and production company.
Ms. Vest received a Bachelors of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1993 and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School in 1999.
Larry Mozdzyn, Co-Founder, Ocular
Larry Mozdzyn is one of the original founders of Ocular. Larry assisted in running Ocular, expanded product offerings and also has been awarded multiple patents. Larry is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
David M. Sindelar, CEO, Viasystems Group
David M. Sindelar is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Viasystems Group, Inc., a position he has held since July 2001. Prior to 2001, Mr. Sindelar was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Viasystems Group, Inc.
Mr. Sindelar has significant experience in all aspects of running a business; operations, finance and sales and marketing. Mr. Sindelar has substantial experience in acquiring and transferring business to low cost regions of the World. These include activities all over the World; U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, UK, China, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and India.
Mr. Sindelar has participated in a wide variety of industries including printed circuit boards, electronic assembly, wire harness assembly, insulated wire, bare wire, plastic injection molding, polyurethane foam, safety equipment, cutting and welding equipment, specialty back panels, floor maintenance equipment, connectors and medical supply.
Mr. Sindelar currently sits on a few civic and for profit boards in addition to Viasystems Group, Inc. He is the Chairman of the Board of St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis and a Board of Trustee at St. Louis University. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Ocular Touch, LLC and Reliance Bank.
