Independent research organisation Hunter Valley Research Foundation (HVRF), have recently welcomed two new Directors to their Board, Gary Webb and Don Magin.
HVRF Chairman, Professor Eileen Doyle said she was pleased to announce the appointment of two outstanding local businessmen.
“We are delighted to welcome Gary and Don to the Board of HVRF, and know that the organisation will benefit from their contributions,” Eileen said.
“Both have extensive experience at managing large organisations and strong governance experience.”
Gary Webb retired from his role as Chief Executive Officer of Newcastle Port Corporation in September 2013, after 30 years of service. He oversaw enormous growth in the port’s trade and revenue, from a coal throughput of just 30 million tonnes per annum when he joined the corporation in 1989, to 142.6 million tonnes in 2012-13, a record trade year and its 13th consecutive year of growth.
Gary is also a Director of Hunter TAFE Foundation Limited and Member of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Advisory Committee, the University of Newcastle’s Community Engagement Committee and the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health. He was also a Director of Ports Australia from 2006 and Chairman from 2010 to September 2013.
Don Magin has been Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Building Society since April 2008 and has over 25 years’ experience in the financial sector, having started with the Greater in late 1986 as Information Technology Manager.
He managed the Greater’s Marketing Department for more than 12 years, where he led the team responsible for the highly successful free holiday home loan campaign, which ran for more than 10 years. One of his first initiatives as CEO was to engage comedian Jerry Seinfeld to successfully lift the profile of the Greater.
Don is also a Director of Heal for Life Foundation, a healing centre for survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
The HVRF is Australia’s longest serving independent, not-for-profit regional research organisation, delivering high quality, rigorous research services to meet the needs of the Hunter region community.