11 people put hand up for Mackay chamber of commerce
A new-look chamber will be unveiled at tomorrow’s AGM.
Business
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PROMINENT Mackay business identities have stepped up to nominate for a position on the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce.
Eleven people have put their hands up, including six who are resitting from the current committee.
The chamber advocates on behalf of local business owners, with the new committee to continue that work during 2021-2022.
The new-look committee will be decided by vote at tomorrow’s annual general meeting held at Souths Leagues Club.
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The meeting will also feature a ‘champions of the industry’ event with updates about sugar, coal and the PDA.
The nominees include Porters Mitre 10 joint general manager Greg Porter, Mount Pleasant Centre manager Cathy Sullivan, Origin Energy’s Geoff Berger and Sharp5 Industry Training general manager Gregg Jones.
They are joined by Spannerman Autocare’s Sarah Miotto, Geoff O’Connor from Bennett Partners, Enlightened Financial Solutions partner Scott Jamieson, ANZ Bank’s Justine O’Shea, Regional Insurance’s Sue Murray, NE Food commercial manager Madeleine Connors and Elizabeth Dent from DGL Accountants.
Greg Porter
GREG Porter is joint general manager and part of the fifth generation to lead the Porters group, which is one of the Mackay and Whitsunday region’s longest standing, independent family-owned businesses.
A trade-qualified carpenter and experienced manager with 30 plus years’ experience in delivering large construction projects, managing volume product and services sales teams and businesses, Greg has a great ability to understand market sectors — particularly construction, industrial, mining and retail.
He is incredibly committed to developing strong customer relationships, stimulating growth and creating environments where change and continuous improvement is high on the agenda.
Greg is also an avid Rugby fan, and an active committee member for Flagon and Dragon and the Urban Development Institute of Australia Mackay branch.
Cathy Sullivan
IN HER role as Centre Manager for Mount Pleasant since moving to Mackay in 2010, then also taking on Whitsunday Plaza in 2015, Cathy has gained a great understanding of what it takes to succeed in business in our region.
Cathy is passionate about people., and has a strong commitment to the business owners and managers and the wider community she deals with on a daily basis.
Cathy makes it a priority to foster relationships with all customers, retailers, community partners and other stakeholders, to ensure that they are provided with a positive and engaging experience to exceed their expectations.
Cathy is committed to seeing Mackay businesses succeed and hopes to be able to assist the chamber of commerce continue its focused and dedicated contribution to local business.
Geoff Berger
GEOFF has been a member of the Mackay Chamber of Commerce for two years and wished to submit my nomination for the committee.
Mackay has been his home for six years after making the seachange with his wife, moving from Melbourne.
Prior to moving from Melbourne he owned a plumbing and gas fitting business.
Geoff has learned first-hand the challenges of owning a small business.
Geoff is proud of the region and is involved in the community through the MIW Biofutures Steering Committee.
Gregg Jones
AN EXPERIENCED general manager with a demonstrated history working in the vocational education management industry across several sectors, Gregg is an excellent communicator with a keen eye for detail and logical process and understands the difficulties of operating a business in a challenging economic environment.
He has a strong desire to assist business in the Mackay region to operate sustainably into the future and a passion for developing teams to focus on quality customer experiences.
Gregg looks forward to assisting the chamber and the regions business to advocate, connect, educate and think beyond.
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Sarah Miotto
SARAH deeply believes in the contribution made to our great city of Mackay by courageous business owners.
Sarah knows that when businesses succeed, the whole community thrives.
It’s this belief that motivates Sarah to be a voice for the Mackay business community.
Sarah understands the challenge of operating a successful business – growing up helping out in her family’s Mackay business, and now keenly growing her own business, Spannerman Autocare, with husband, Peter, Sarah is committed to the Mackay business community and wants them to do well.
Sarah believes ‘together is better’ and brings this philosophy to her family, her business and her community.
Geoff O’Connor
BECOMING a partner at Bennett Partners in 2012, Geoff has gained experience in the business services area, including the provision of taxation, business and accounting advice.
Geoff maintains large to small business clients across varying industries and places a strong focus on his client needs.
Geoff provides a personal service at every level, together with his energetic approach and uncompromisingly high standards for clients, he strives to exceed their expectations.
He also prides himself with staff development and is a great mentor for younger staff.
Scott Jamieson
SCOTT has been a partner at Enlightened Financial Solutions for six years, having been in financial planning for 13 years.
Scott is a member of Port of Mackay Rotary Club and is also a committee member of Flagon & Dragon.
As a second generation Mackay Business owner, he has an appreciation of how important small business success is to the Mackay economy.
Scott is keen to build on the excellent work of past chamber committees to ensure local business owners voices are being heard.
Justine O’Shea
JUSTINE moved to Mackay from the Atherton Tablelands in late 2010 and started her career in banking working for Melissa Green at BOQ in early 2011.
In 2012 she briefly moved to Cairns and continued working for BOQ.
In the short time she was in Mackay she fell in love with the town so in 2013 she made the move back to Mackay and started my career with ANZ as a personal banking consultant.
She soon developed a passion for working with businesses and moved into the business banking sector where she is now an assistant manager.
She works with a diverse range of business clients; all who have different dreams and goals.
There is no greater joy for her than to see someone reach their goals and know that she has done my very best to support them in their financial journey.
Sue Murray
SUE is a professional, qualified Insurance Broker with more than 30 years experience, specialising in the SME sector.
She has been there through the good and bad times with her clients.
She builds genuine relationships with her clients to understand their business, their concerns and their goals.
Being in Mackay for more than 10 years, Sue has a strong sense of community spirit, and is passionate about seeing Mackay thrive as a region.
With her strong communications skills, genuine interest in local business within our region and positive approach she looks forward to assisting as a committee member within the Chamber of Commerce.
Madeleine Connors
MADELEINE works as the Commercial Manager for NE Food which is home to The Dispensary, Byrnes Pie Factory, Home Base Cafe and NE Food Catering.
Madeleine works alongside Damien and Adrian Connors and the senior leadership team where she focuses her time on providing the group with up to date financial guidance and advice. During her time with the company Madeleine has been involved in acquisitions, purchases and sales along with day to day operations of a company that employs 70 staff locally in the vibrant hospitality industry.
At a strategic level, Madeleine is enjoying the challenge of being part of the NE Food executive team currently enrolled at the Australian Centre of Business Growth through UniSA.
Elizabeth Dent
ELIZABETH graduated from Central Queensland University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Accounting and became a member of CPA Australia in 2012.
She obtained a Limited Public Practice Certificate in 2016 and is also a Registered Tax Agent.
Lizzy commenced her career with DGL Accountants in 2004 as a Trainee Accountant and was appointed as a Director in 2018.
Elizabeth has great knowledge in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and an excellent understanding of small business.
Elizabeth is highly regarded by her clients for going the extra mile and her approachable nature.
She strives to bring excellence and integrity to every task at hand and thrives on building and maintaining strong relationships.
Elizabeth loves to travel, having spent a year living in Ireland in 2006. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Nigel and their 3 children.
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