Last week at the Hunter Business Chamber’s Annual General Meeting hosted at Merewether Surfhouse, four new Directors and a President were announced.
Trades Services Proprietor, Tony Rhodes was appointed President of the Hunter Business Chamber following a board election.
And among the appointed directors are CEO of Castle Personnel, Dianne Hamer; Chief Marketer at The Marketing GP, Holly Martin; Executive Manager, Projects with Port of Newcastle, Glenn Thornton; and Partner with Sparke Helmore, Paul Tobin.
Tony, whose Mullane Group contracting company employs more than 250 tradespeople and apprentices, is a former Master Builders Association President who joined the Hunter Business Chamber board in 2018.
He takes over from Port Waratah Coal Services CEO, Hennie du Plooy, who will continue on the board as immediate Past President.
Also returning for another term are Communications and Leadership Consultant, Lauren Eyles as Senior Vice-President, Business Consultant and Director, Peter Gesling as Vice-President, Financial Services specialist, Jim Garis as Local Chambers representative and Business Management Advisor, Natalie Mitchell, representing Business NSW.
Tony was unable to attend the AGM due to commitments interstate but said he was honoured to be appointed President by the new board following the biennial election of directors.
“I would like to thank Hennie for the great job he has done guiding the organisation through what have been very challenging times for business in the Hunter,” Tony said.
“I look forward to helping the Chamber lead our business community through a successful period of adaptation and recovery as we emerge from the disruption of the COVID crisis.”
Tony also thanked departing directors Jane Moran, Narelle Redman, Geoff Crowe and long-serving past president Jonathon Vandervoort for their contributions.
Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes said he looked forward to working with the new board to provide support and advocacy for business, industry and the Hunter community.
“COVID has been a very testing time but it has reinforced the value of the Chamber and the important role we play in responding quickly to business needs and representing the interests of business in our region to decision-makers,” Bob said.
“We are grateful to the loyal membership who have continued to support us and the work we do through this difficult period.”
IMAGE | Last week’s AGM at Merewether Surfhouse, where the new Hunter Business Chamber directors were appointed. Photo credit: AJM Photography.