Board of Directors
Kalma Rathouski – Chair
Kalma holds a Masters in Social Science and 15 years’ experience at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Alistair Lloyd - Deputy Chair
Alistair has extensive information systems, program delivery and strategy implementation experience. With over three decades in corporate and public sector roles.
Simon Mckenzie - Director
Simon is an admitted lawyer with a commerce degree and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Graham Holt - Director
Graham is the General Manager Operations and Delivery Systems at Greater Western Water, managing customer support programs, community engagement, network operations and water supply management.
Derek Jones - Director
Derek is a retired finance professional who has been a Director at Distinctive Options since February 2016. He had a significant career in both the public and private sectors
John Papatheohari - Director
John has a number of years’ experience as an IT and digital transformation executive across private and public health.
Nancy Peat - Director
Nancy has been a Director at Distinctive Options since April 2018. She has extensive experience in financial services
Executive Management Team
Ernie Metcalf - Chief Executive Officer
Ernie has led Distinctive Options since November 2016, guiding the organisation firstly through the NDIS transition and now the impact of a global pandemic.
Rick Dunn - Executive Manager Support Services
Rick has worked for Distinctive Options since 1998, providing significant expertise on disability issues and best practice service provision.
Alma Tuazon - Chief Financial Officer
Alma became Distinctive Options’ first CFO 3 years ago, in 2018. She provides financial guidance including monitoring the ever changing NDIS funding model.
Paul Pearman - Business Development Manager
Paul joined Distinctive Options as their first Business Development Manager in 2021, providing guidance and overseeing growth via new business initiatives.
Senior Staff
Jane O’Leary - Business Development Coordinator
Jane has worked in a number of roles at Distinctive Options, including senior positions within support services, since she joined the organisation in 2005.
Elena Cotchin - DO Connect Sunbury Lead Coordinator
Elena oversees Distinctive Options largest team and support services. She has been in this key role since mid-2019.
Sarah Heriot - Independent Living Supports Coordinator
Sarah commenced at Distinctive Options in 2008, and she has filled a number of support service roles during this time.
Tara Boag - DO Connect Bendigo Coordinator
Tara joined Distinctive Options in 2018 and quickly demonstrated her disability support abilities.
Catherine Woodger - DO Connect Kyneton Coordinator
Catherine joined Distinctive Options in 2011 and her talents for support services where quickly identified and recognised.
Jackson Hetherington - DO Connect Brimbank Acting Team Leader
Jackson took up the Acting Team Leader role in 2021, and he continues to work towards offering the best support services in the Brimbank municipality.
Monica Lazaro - HR Administrator
Monica joined Distinctive Options in 2020 as the organisation’s first professional Human Resources Administrator.
Alison LaVerdiere -
DO Connect Kyneton Team Leader
Alison joined Distinctive Options in February 2020 and has since worked across multiple service areas including Sunbury and Brimbank Groups as well as ILS.