J-AIR’s committee of management (board) comprises a team of people who bring a variety of experience to help drive the strategic direction of J-AIR.
Sean Meltzer, Chair
Sean Meltzer is the current chair of J-AIR and has worked with the station since it commenced transmission ten years ago. Sean’s career in television started in the late 1970s and he has worked in the Melbourne television and feature film production industry ever since. Sean also started the La Trobe University radio station in 1978 and has provided strategic management and mentoring in the establishment and operations of J-AIR. Sean is the former CEO of major post-production company in Port Melbourne Roar Digital and has 30 years of production experience in corporate video and television production.
Robert Bontschek, Station Manager
Robert Bontschek ran a professional audio company for 30 years. Representing European, USA and Israeli manufacturers distributing their products throughout Australia. Projects from rebuilding the audio control systems for the House of Representatives and the Senate of the federal government to installing Gilat Satellite Networks first Visat systems in Telstra’s Bendigo earth station. Being a major supplier to the Australian broadcast industry – radio, television and recording studios.
And, then fulfilling a career-long ambition founding and building J-AIR some ten years ago.
Gary Mallin, assistant station manager, secretary
Gary Mallin – journalist, writer and odd-jobs man – has worked in the Australian media for some 50 years. He hosts TenKradius with Max Lasky and Morris Mond as they present light entertainment, On This Day in Judaism, On This Day, Jokes of the Week, Middle East issues, The World According to Morris (TWATM), the occasional guest and a little mama loshen (Yiddish).
He has been assistant station manager and secretary since 2015.
Jim Cyngler, President
Jim Cyngler OAM is a senior conflict resolution professional, recognised as an industry leader, innovator, mentor and public speaker in the field of conflict management. He is an advanced practitioner and trainer, building key leadership skills and capacities to manage, engage and transform conflict in commercial, community and government agencies.
A conflict management expert with a significant background in the development of management systems and processes within the not-for-profit sector, he has a proven capacity to visualise and implement strategic change, aligned with values and objectives, adhering to governance frameworks and protocols.
He is commercially savvy with a demonstrated capability in risk management and issues management. Financially literate, he is a member of the legal profession and used to working in multi-discipline, complex and highly regulated not-for-profit and commercial environments.
Jim joined the J-AIR board in 2020.
Barry Singer, Treasurer
I have lived in Melbourne since 1956 and was admitted as a chartered accountant in Australia in March 1977. I have practised in Elsternwick, Malvern and Caulfield as a tax agent specialising in small business advice. I retired from public practice in 2017 and have kept up with my professional education hours through my old firm as well as consulting some of my old clients. I am honoured to be able to give back to the community by accepting the task of treasurer for J-AIR as it moves into new studios on the 88FM band.
Renata Schnall, board member
Renata Schnall has worked as an organisational psychologist/consultant across Australia and in the US for more than 30 years. She has worked with large Australian corporations and Fortune 500s to assist them to identify what prevents them from changing and what they need to change to become viable.
She also works as a mentor as well as a role and career coach with professionals, middle and senior managers who are looking for either guidance to improve their on the job effectiveness or how to identify and move into more satisfying roles.
Renata is new to community radio. She’s keen to assist J-AIR become a strong, reputable and sought, representative Jewish voice in and for the Melbourne community.
Renata joined the board in 2021.
Amit Rehak, head of station engineering.