080623 Bios and Photos for 2008 Exec AGM Nomination - Rotorua ...

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23 JULY 2008NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE(Alphabetical order; * indicates sitting members)Roger Brady, Pinnacle Business Solutions LtdRoger Brady is responsible for creating, managing anddeveloping Pinnacle Business Solutions Ltd and has aproven track record in business having worked with hundredsof business owners, mangers and staff increasing theirprofitability and improving their life style. Roger is also adirector of four other companies where he applies the skillsthat he teaches directly in the market place. Professionallybefore moving to New Zealand in 1994 Roger worked for thelargest Constructions Company in Southern Africa, projectmanaging large residential property developments of up to 600 houses each. Hehas formal qualifications in Civil Engineering, Sales, Marketing and ProjectManagement. An unusual mix, which allows him to understand most elements ofbusiness from practical real life experience. Resident in Rotorua for seven yearsnow he is passionate about his family, wife Dinnie is a well-known midwife in theRotorua community and they have five wonderful children. Outside of workinghours Roger loves walking in the Redwood Forest and kayaking on the lakes.“Ultimately business is all about people and the networks that they bring. I amexcited by the opportunity to be part of the Rotorua Chamber Executive and givesomething back to the wonderful community that has made Dinnie and I sowelcome. I also believe that I can add significant value by sharing the experiencegained over many years in business to help business here in Rotorua.”Aaron Gillions, General Manager, Radio Network RotoruaAaron has been involved in broadcasting for the past 14 yearsin all facets of the business from announcing and programmingto management, He has been General Manager for the past fiveyears at TRN stations in Oamaru, Masterton and Rotorua.Aaron served on the Executive of the North Otago Chamber ofCommerce, was the Chairman of DARE North Otago and was amember of Masterton South Rotary Club, in 2004 he also stoodfor election to the Waitaki District Council. Aaron has runseveral successful businesses including an Audio hire company, computerconsultancy business and currently runs an internet software design company.He is also studying towards the New Zealand Diploma in Business. Outside ofwork you’ll find him running, swimming or cycling and competing in triathlonevents over the summer months. Aaron is married to Tania and has two sonsZac (7) and Rhys (2) and believes that he can make a positive contribution to theRotorua Chamber.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Aladina Harunani, Opus International Consultants LtdAladina is a Principal Architect of Opus Architecture inRotorua, holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from theUniversity of Auckland, and is a Registered Member of the NZRegistered Architects Board. He has worked very extensivelyon varied large projects and companies in Auckland for 17years before moving to Rotorua two and a half years ago andbuilding a home in Lynmore. He has a family with threechildren. Aladina is passionate about Rotorua's Growth andhas pioneered with help from Opus Management anArchitectural Department in Rotorua. Opus Architecture (Rotorua) is stronglycommitted to the Rotorua CBD Revitilisation Project and recently carried out avery successful presentation for public consultation. Last year Aladina was onthe jury of NZIA Regional awards which celebrated some outstandingArchitectural work in the region amongst which was our own Te Puia. Opus isone of the largest multidisciplinary companies in Australasia and late 2007 sawits launch into public share market. As a company it has a thriving economy andbusiness plan continually growing into existing and new continents includingEurope and America. Aladina believes the Chamber would benefit from a widerrepresentation and would be delighted to be given the opportunity of using hisbusiness and professional skills for the benefit of the Chamber in the comingyear.Kathy Hawker, Flying Start Childcare & PreschoolKathy was a trained nurse and had good management skillsso looked for a business she could put these skills to gooduse. After working as a Health Co-ordinator at the Princessof Wales Health Camp, Kathy along with her husband Ianpurchased what was Frances Childcare in May 1997. Thebusiness has grown from 32 to 50 children over 11 years andin 2006 the house next door was purchased and renovated in2007. We are currently in the process of building a newcentre at the rear of this house next to the existing centre.We are hoping to build the numbers to near 100 children. Kathy currentlyemploys 14 staff and has 45 families in her centre at present. Kathy is currentlythe Early Childhood Council Area contact person, a focus group member for theHer Business Network, has been a member of Business Swap for 10 years and amember of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce for five years or so. I want to givesomething back to the community and feel I have good practical skills to addvalue to the Chamber. I believe in Rotorua and what we can achieve in the area.Kathy is passionate about early childhood and is always keen to help youngpeople to get into the industry. She works closely with Career Network services.Kathy is married to Ian Hawker, who until recently owned Hawker Transport inNgongotaha for over 17 years.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Mike Johnson *, Nicara InvestmentsMike Johnson has served the Travel & Tourism Industry inNew Zealand for 47 years. During that time he has been aBoard Member of ITOC (Inbound Tour Operators Council )1970's, TAANZ (Travel Agents Association of New Zealand)1980's, ATITB (Aviation and Travel Industry Training Board)1980's & 1990's the forerunner to today's ATTTO and wasNational President of NZITT ( New Zealand Institute ofTravel & Tourism) 1980's. His contribution to Travel &Tourism training was recognised by the NZITT when Mikewas granted Life membership of the Institute, which is only available to 10persons at any time. For 25 years Mike ran his own International TourismMarketing Company, Jet Age Marketing. During this time he was also a partowner of Mike Scott's Trainworld which was located at the Agrodome. Now"retired" since 2004, Mike and his wife Heather operate the Qualmark 5 StarNicara Lakeside Lodge at Ngongotaha. Mike is a current member of theChamber Executive Board. A Trustee of the Rotorua Museum Centennial Projectand a Member of Destination Rotorua Tourism Board.Grant Kilby *, Destination Rotorua EconomicDevelopmentGrant is the General Manager of the Economic DevelopmentUnit for the Rotorua District Council and a current member ofthe Chamber Executive Board and an Executive of theRegional Management Committee for EconomicDevelopment. Grant is an acting mentor for, and his unitmanages, the Lion foundation Young Enterprise Scheme andhe is the executive to the BrightEconomy Advisory Board. Amember of the Business Advisory Committee of WaiarikiInstitute of Technology and heavily involved in many infrastructural businessactivity in Rotorua…Grant loves to have his finger on the pulse of business.Grant has been either a business owner or marketer for his whole professionallife. An avid believer in business excellence, his company Star 100% based inRotorua won the National Award for Business Excellence in 2004. Grant has heldsenior management positions in Sales and Marketing with Vodafone NewZealand and Mitsubishi Electric. Grant has an enviable record as a successfulbusinessman in our city, and understands the complexities of sustainablebusiness growth. He also has a sound knowledge of Rotorua, its markets and itseconomy. He brings with him considerable entrepreneurial experience and hasexcellent networks in the business community. Grant is married to Cathryn andhas two boys both Parkour (look it up) enthusiasts, aged 12 & 15 who attendJohn Paul College. Outside work, Grant is a personification of what he promotesfor Economic Development in Rotorua being the epicentre in New Zealand whereyou can work, live, invest and play. A work/life enthusiast who enjoys golf,fishing, gardening (if pressured) and is an avid mountain biker and strongsupporter of mountain biking in Rotorua. I look forward to another year on theChamber Board; I have been fascinated by both the growth of the Chamber andits strength in business networking and advocacy.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Beth Millard, Bayleys RotoruaOne of Rotorua’s foremost real estate salespeople before herappointment as Manager for Bayleys Rotorua in 2002, Bethhas stamped her mark on the city’s real estate scene. Shehas a track record for bringing together property sales in acreative way and her services are constantly sought by thekey property developers and investors, as well as local andoff-shore clients. As Manager for Bayleys, Beth hasspearheaded a number of prestigious and specialist projects,many of which have put Rotorua on the map for their innovation. She hassuccessfully sold the city to numerous out of town investors. Beth’s passion forreal estate is fuelled by her love for Rotorua. She believes the area has much tooffer and has much potential for development and growth. Beth feels stronglyabout promoting Rotorua as the tourism and conferencing capital of NewZealand. It is time Rotorua was recognized for more than boiling mud and tikisand instead should be known for it’s world class forests, lakes and strong, uniqueculture that should be celebrated and shared. By nature a driver, Beth has theenergy, determination and focus to progress Rotorua to it’s next stage ofdevelopment. She is a team player with the ability to work towards commongoals, and positively influence the environment of the Rotorua Chamber ofCommerce and the city as a whole.Stephen Pinder *, Westpac Banking CorporationI have now been on the Executive for three years, and amlooking to continue my involvement for another year. Myattitude mirrors that of Westpac, which is that gettinginvolved in the business community is key. The sponsorshipof the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards whichhad now run since 2005 with a commitment to 2009, is areflection of this. Additionally I was President of BusinessSwap Rotorua a very successful organisation that broughtinspirational speakers to Rotorua to educate and motivatethe business community. Under my presidency the transition of the Swap brandsKikStart, How2 and Blast was successfully managed across to the Chamber. Ialso support the Young Enterprise Scheme, by offering presentations and accessas a mentor. I have over 24 years experience in Banking and Finance withNational Westminster Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland and now Westpac. Mycurrent role is Area Manager – SME for Westpac Business Banking, coveringWaikato/BoP and I am based in Haupapa Street. The location in Rotorua was aconscious decision by me and Westpac to increase the focus and resource inRotorua. I offer a sound business knowledge with a proven track record ofinvolvement in the business community here in Rotorua, and am looking tocontinue this for another year with the Chamber Executive.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Michelle Pleydell *, Silver Fern Accommodation & SpaArriving in Rotorua in 2006, Michelle and husband Peterhave entered the tourism industry. They own and operate theSilver Fern on Fenton St. Previously Michelle has worked ina variety of leading service focussed organisations, Nestle,DHL Worldwide Express, and Weston Milling. With aManagement background and Certificate in BusinessExcellence from Auckland University and Harvard BusinessSchool, her roles have been predominately in the HR andBusiness Systems area. She continues to support BusinessExcellence through her work as evaluator and judge for The NZ BusinessExcellence Foundation, the National Franchise Awards and for the past 2 yearsas a judge for our own Rotorua Business Excellence awards. “Rotorua is afabulous place to live and work, we have so much to offer, and we are wellpositioned to grow our commercial sectors with the upcoming Internationalairport, and access to shipping and domestic networks. We compete on theworld stage, and we need to achieve Rotorua business into sustainableenterprises over the long term.” Michelle is currently Vice President, and amember of the Executive.Joe Pouaka, Radioworks RotoruaBorn & Bred in Rotorua, I was educated locally and spent thefirst 10 years in business here with a number of high profilecompanies such as State Insurance, Woolworths Variety,Pizza Hut, Smiths City & DB Breweries. In 1995 I relocatedto Tauranga where I took up a role as Territory SalesManager for Nestle Foods before joining the UnileverCompany as National Sales Manager for Streets Ice cream in1997. In 1999 I was appointed Regional Sales manager forTip Top Bread based in Auckland managing a sales team of130 personnel before moving to Wellington in 2002 to head up the business unitfor Tip Top Bread that included the production site. In 1994 I moved back toTauranga to persue a Franchise business opportunity which I then sold in 1995.In that same year I was appointed National Sales Development Manager for TheWrigley Company until November of 1997 when I was appointed to my currentrole as General Manager for RadioWorks Rotorua. I am 22 years married to mylovely wife Leonie. We have two special girls Anita, 22 years and Natasha 18years both of who have grown into fantastic young women. I treasure time withmy family but I’m also a self professed workaholic. I have developed a widerange of business skills throughout my career which I believe could be wellutilised within the Chamber.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Damien Radesic *, Mainfreight TransportMy name is Damien Radesic and I would like to continue myinvolvement on the Executive of the Rotorua Chamber ofCommerce. I have lived in Rotorua for the last sixteenyears, having gone to Rotorua Boys’ High School and thenonto further education at Waiariki Institute of Technology. Myworking life has been involved in the Hospitality Industry asa professional chef, having worked in numerous hotels andcafes, here in Rotorua as well as overseas. I am currentlyinvolved in the transport industry working for The MainfreightGroup of Companies as an Account Manager for the Bay of Plenty. I have beenwith this company for the last four years, joining as part of their DevelopmentSquad for Graduates and then moving up into Management. I would like tocontinue my involvement with the Chamber because I believe I can help make adifference to the business industries of our city and also to help the youngergeneration of our community to be heard. It is also be nice to have someoneyounger on the Executive and give a different point of view that may or may notbe being presented now. I hope that I can only help steer ourcommunity/business industries in the right direction so that we can have thecorrect strategic direction that enables us to move forward. I look forward toserving you well as part of the Executive.Dr Margriet Theron *, ConsultantMargriet has served the Chamber of Commerce since2001, becoming President in 2004, as a judge andconvenor of judges for the Rotorua Business ExcellenceAwards, and as a member of the Rotorua MuseumFundraising Group. As a nominee of the Chamber, she isthe Deputy Chair of the Geyser Community Foundation,and a member of the BrightEconomy Advisory Board, theRotorua Air Quality Working Party and the SettlementSupport Steering Group. She chairs the Business AdvisoryCommittee of Waiariki Institute of Technology and is aTrustee of Speech NZ. Working on contract to Lakes District Health Board, she ismanaging the fundraising for and building of the Turangi Community HealthCentre. She is a member of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board andImmediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua. She is a Fellow of theNZ Institute of Directors and her work experience includes scientist and planningmanager at FRI; science review manager at MoRST, and Dean of Waiariki’sFaculty of Forestry and Technology.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk

Andy Woolhouse *, Environmental Management andTraining Services LimitedAndy is an environmental consultant working primarily inthe forestry, rural land use and water resource areas. Heemigrated from the UK with his family in 1995 and haslived in Rotorua since 1998. He has three children,Adam, Paul and Louise. Andy holds a Forestry Degreeand has played a major role in environmentalmanagement in the forest industry and addressing landuse change. He is working with the EBOP on a numberof projects from the Rotorua Lakes Protection and Restoration ActionProgramme. As someone who regularly makes resource consent applicationsand submissions on Regional and District Plans, Andy is keen to see councilplans which represent community interests, are easily understood and mostimportantly are workable. The District Plan Review is the critical time to ensurethat plans represent these interests. Andy is a keen lake kayaker and has apassion to see the lake water quality improved. Rotorua has fantastic resourcesand potential for sustainable development for the benefit of local people andbusinesses. Andy is keen to be involved in this development. Andy is currently aCo-opted member of the Executive BoardPDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.software-partners.co.uk