Emerging Leader Profiles
Amee Porter
Associate
HR Business Essentials
With the knowledge of pressures facing SME’s regionally, gained through her experience as a business owner and now as a consultant, Amee is focused on making a difference in our business community. Developing the skills of individuals within businesses and retaining those skills regionally is a key motivator for Amee. With a passion for the Arts Amee is actively involved in local theatre and sees her ability to think creatively as a benefit to her client base.
Barry James
Sales Manager
Think Office Technology
46, business owner, husband, soccer dad, Rotarian, musician, photographer, renovator, Cowboys/Crocs fan. Moved to Townsville from Sydney in 2000 as a ‘Sea change’ and never looked back. Love this town and look forward to helping shape its future.
Bevan Hill
Business Manager
Jewellery By Design
Bevan is a fun loving, family man that is focused, dedicated and goal driven and has over seen the management and growth of several local sporting and community based organisations. Bevan's expertise in small business is demonstrated in his role as Business Manager for Jewellery By Design retail stores.
Being born and bred in Townsville, Bevan understands the potential Townsville has to offer Australian and overseas companies. With over three decades of experience within the small business sector of Townsville, Bevan is committed to securing the city’s infrastructure and growth for the youth of today and tomorrow.
Brad Smith
Managing Director
NQ Project Engineering Pty Ltd
Brad is a highly skilled project manager and delivery facilitator, with significant experience in civil infrastructure delivery from design through to construction. Hailing from the Burdekin Region, Brad established his career with Main Roads in Townsville before incorporating his own company NQ Project Engineering Pty Ltd in 2007. Brad feels privileged to have the opportunity to raise his family in Townsville and is excited by the business and lifestyle prospects our region has to offer.
Brett Havenaar
Regional Manager North Queensland
ARC - The Reinforcing Company
Brett is a business manager with many years experience leading large and complex manufacturing and sales organisations. Having lived and worked in many eastern Australian locations and overseas, Brett and his wife Diane chose Townsville to raise their family of three young girls because of the fantastic lifestyle the region offers.
Brett Edwards 
General Manager - Community Living
Cootharinga North Queensland
Brett is a passionate leader who has held senior management roles in the Disability sector including Operations Manager throughout a ‘Merger Of Equals’ of two organisations resulting in the establishment of Achieve Australia. In 2009 he attained a Master of Management, University of Technology, Sydney. Brett was appointed General Manager - Community Living for Cootharinga North Queensland in February 2011 and currently represents North Queensland on a National Committee with National Disability Services.
Emily Bazzard
Regional Business Manager
IPA Personnel
Emily has worked in the recruitment industry for the last 11 years, and has worked for IPA Personnel since April 2010 as the Regional Business Manager. Currently Emily manages Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Mt Isa, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Emily is responsible for managing the six offices focusing on translating and implementing the strategic direction. Emily holds a pivotal role within the organisation, leading from the front, developing and servicing business opportunities, coaching sales teams and ensuring that financial, safety and business development targets are achieved. Emily has lived throughout the world, but Townsville is now home and is excited about the opportunities the region has to offer both professionally and personally.
Gavin Runde
Financial Planner
WHK
Living in Townsville since 1995, Gavin studied Commerce & Finance at James Cook University before choosing a career in Financial Planning. Shortly thereafter he joined WHK and furthered his education by attaining the highly respected Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. In his current role, Gavin provides clients with advice on a wide range of financial matters, ranging from tax minimisation to retirement planning, and implementation of risk management strategies. When not in the office Gavin can be found casting a lure, diving on the reef or brewing handcrafted specialty beers.
George Milford
Manager and Director
Wolter Rowlands Town Planning Group
George is a town planner with background in urban design and planning. Originally involved in private sector work in the South East, followed by a role as planner for a Far Northern Council, George has thrived since moving to Townsville to establish Wolter Rowlands in early 2007. He is actively involved with the local development industry and a leader in the Planning Institute, and is passionate about the Region’s prospects and future.
Greg Rangitaawa
North Queensland Operations Manager
Aizer Building Solutions
Greg is a highly motivated person when it comes to his work in the construction industry. Coming from a carpentry/plastering background, he has worked his way up the chain to Site Forman then to Project Management. Having a family of his own and his daughter being born in Townsville, he is very excited to be taking his journey with Townsville Enterprise Emerging Leader Program to build a bigger and stronger City we all love to call home.
Heidi Hatherell
Director/Owner
Crystal Clear PR
Heidi established Crystal Clear PR in 2009 after working in corporate communications, marketing and event management, for more than a decade in the UK, Europe and Australia. Heidi is passionate about the arts and works closely with a number of professional arts organisations, helping very talented people to raise their profiles.
Kate Hagenson
Purchasing Officer
Cubic Defence Australia
Kate moved to Townsville 10 years ago to attend University and stayed for the North Queensland way of life. In that time she has completed a Bachelor of Business, experienced many industries including hospitality and construction, made influential business contacts and raised a beautiful baby girl. With a focus now on achieving a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution, Kate has a thirst for knowledge and maintains excellent time management and organisational skills to run her busy life.
Linda McClelland
Manager
Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre
While studying Psychology at James Cook University, Linda developed a firm commitment to the welfare of disadvantaged people. After her studies she returned to Ingham and commenced working in the community sector, working both in direct service work and also in management roles. She is passionate about her town and community, and wants to be part of action that strengthens its prosperity and resilience. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities for disadvantaged community members to contribute to and prosper from their engagement in her community.
Marissa Candy
Director
The Marketing Factory
The Marketing Factory is an advertising and marketing agency listed in the top 7% of creative industries in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics), that currently services clients including Stockland, Ergon Energy and Catholic Education. Marissa is passionate about growing the North Queensland region and looks forward to influencing the business landscape to create more local opportunities.
Mark Kelly
External Relations Specialist
Queensland Nickel
With a decade of external affairs experience around Australian in the resource industry,
Mark understands the development potential and community issues in this sector of the economy. Mark also has NGO experience from working with the Youth Challenge International, the Australian Italian Festival, Umbrella Studio and Saints Eagles Souths FC.
Martin Locke
Managing Director
Martin Locke Homes
Martin is a Licensed Plumber and Builder, and managing director of Martin Locke Homes. In between these 2 trades, Martin played and then worked for the NQ Cowboys for 10 years up until 2005 when the challenge of private business beckoned. With 4 kids aged 11 to 23, Martin believes Townsville is the perfect place to balance family and work.
Mary Brown
Joint Owner/Financial Manager
NQ Aviation/Hinchinbrook Helicopters
I am the financial manager and joint owner of an aviation business and small farming enterprise based in Ingham. My husband and I established a purpose built aircraft maintenance facility at Ingham Airport in 1998 and have continued to grow this business to include airport refuelling facility and helicopter flying training/charter, as well as expansion of maintenance operations into PNG.
Neville Hoehne
ATSI Liaison Officer
Ergon Energy
Neville has specialist experience in faciliation and the development and delivery of Culture and Change programs. He has managed a number of small and major projects including the delivery of the Full Retail Contestability Project in Queensland that impacts state wide energy consumers. Neville has considerable experience in the development and delivery of training programs across multi disciplinary teams. Neville has been successful in engaging and inflencing both external and internal Stakeholders across all levels of organisations. Recent experience has been in the planning and engagement of discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queenland.
Nicole Hayes
Marketing Advisor
AECOM
Nicole is the NQ Marketing Advisor for AECOM, a global provider of professional technical and management support services. Nicole has 20 years experience in the education sector in various roles including Deputy Principal, Senior Project Officer and Teacher in Charge, Townsville Hospital school. Nicole was also the NQ Coordinator for the Ronald McDonald Learning Program.
Nik Rozis
Assistant Manager
WHK
Nik commenced his career with WHK in 2006. Now as an Assistant Manager within the Business Services team, Nik specialises in working with small to medium enterprises to operate at their full potential. Being born and bred in the Townsville region, Nik is passionate about using his local knowledge to benefit the business and wider communities.
Patricia O'Callaghan
General Manager - Tourism
Townsville Enterprise
Patricia offers years of successful project management, marketing, economic development and public relations experience combined with a three year degree in Business majoring in Public Relations and Marketing. Patricia has been successful in developing and establishing strategic partnerships throughout North West Queensland and has previously been responsible for designing and implementing media campaigns, not for profit membership initiatives, and key economic development projects throughout the region.
Peter Carey
Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Manager
Carey Accountants
Peter Carey is responsible for the promotion and improvement of client services of the Self Managed Superannuation Fund services offered by Carey Accountants.
He is a strong believer of “Kaizen” to improve business processes and client experiences. Peter’s passions are helping clients realise their retirement potential and adventure water sports.
Sally Lawrence
Team Leader
Advance Employment Inc.
Sally is a member of the dedicated team at Advance Employment where the vision is ‘strengthening community through employment’. She has leadership experience in a broad range of environments from corporate to retail and currently community services. Sally enthusiastically represents Charters Towers and is looking forward to forging some strong relationships through this exciting programme. She is passionate about social justice issues and determined to make a difference.
Simon Ormes
Group General Manager
Mendi Constructions
Simon is a civil engineering professional with over 20 years experience in roles ranging from design through to project management, business development and regional manager of a mid tier contractor. Born and bred in Townsville, Simon has a passion for all things local whether it be playing golf at his home course Townsville Golf Club, fishing or scuba diving on the nearby reefs or an early morning cycle through the suburbs (finishing with a coffee on the Strand of course). Simon has been married to his wife Michelle for 18 years and is the proud father of 4.
Tammy Clair
Educational Program Manager
Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
Tammy was born in Townsville and feels lucky to live in a place with such diversity and opportunity. Tammy is down to earth, hard working and takes enjoyment from encouraging the success of others and helping them to achieve their goals whatever they may be. Tammy is employed as an Educational Program Manager with the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE.
Wal Robinson
Director
Queensland Signage Solutions
Wal has over 26 years experience in the Townsville Sign Industry and is Co-Director of Queensland Signage Solutions, a company committed to bringing a new level of professionalism to Townsville. Born in Hughenden, he and his young family are proud to call Townsville home and love the opportunities it brings.