Oded Tira (1999-end of 2004)
Oded Tira was born in 1940, he was the son of Dov Tiras, who was the commander of an artillery battalion and also manager of Yizrom Bulbs in Jerusalem and the Ramle Motors factory. In 1958, Oded Tira was conscripted into the IDF and served in the artillery and paratroopers corps. After his military service, he studied industrial engineering and management at the Technion. Upon graduating, he worked as production manager in the Vultex factory in Afula and in the Vita food factory. During the Six Day War, he fought under Motte Gur in the 55th reserve brigade and took part in the liberation of Jerusalem. During the War of Attrition, he volunteered to serve as a reservist at the Suez Canal. He then enlisted as a career soldier, serving as deputy commander of a heavy artillery battalion. He studied in the Military Academy and was appointed operations officer of an artillery support regiment in Sinai, where he fought during the Yom Kippur War. He took part in the crossing of the canal and the encirclement of the Third Army.
At the end of 1973, he was appointed battalion commander and then commander of the artillery
officer training course. In 1977, he was appointed commander of the Kidon support unit. After studying
in the National Security College, he became Southern Command central artillery commander and was a member of the joint Israeli-Egyptian committee for implementation
of the peace accord. In 1982, he oversaw the evacuation of Hevel Yamit and was appointed commanding officer of the artillery corps.
After leaving the army in 1987, Tira began a business career in the Phoenicia America-Israel company and was appointed company president in 1989 by Mr. Bill Davidson, who bought Phoenicia from Koor Industries. Since 1999, he has served as chairman of the company’s directorate. He is also chairman of the directorate of Milestones Investments. He received the Industry Award in 1994. In 1999, he was appointed president of the MIA. In 2006, he partnered with educators, public figures, business people and academics to found the Israel Leadership Institute, and has served as the institute’s chairman since its inception.
