Name: Michelle Pleydell	Pic
Position: President
Michelle Pleydell Consultant
Arriving in Rotorua in 2006, Michelle and husband Peter have entered the tourism industry. They owned and operated the Silver Fern on Fenton St. Previously Michelle has worked in a variety of leading service focussed organisations, Nestle, DHL Worldwide Express, and Weston Milling. With a Management background and Certificate in Business Excellence from Auckland University and Harvard Business School, her roles have been predominately in the HR and Business Systems area. She continues to support Business Excellence through her work as evaluator and judge for The NZ Business Excellence Foundation, the National Franchise Awards and for the past 2 years as a judge for our own Rotorua Business Excellence awards. “Rotorua is a fabulous place to live and work, we have so much to offer, and we are well positioned to grow our commercial sectors with the upcoming International airport, and access to shipping and domestic networks. We compete on the world stage, and we need to achieve Rotorua business into sustainable enterprises over the long term.” .

	Roger Gordon
	Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO
	In October 2008, Roger Gordon will have been CEO of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce for four years. As Chief Executive Officer he is an ex-offcio member of the board. With a background in hospitality and tourism, Roger has operated Prestige Hotels Limited, a hotel management company, Prestige Business Bureau Limited, a business support agency and Prestige Residential Services Limited, a residential investment company. He is a member of the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Travel and Tourism (NZITT). Roger also has considerable experience in the international marketing of education. Roger is a Senator and lifetime member of Jaycees International. He has been Chairman of a number of Boards of Trustees, past Chair of Rotorua Promotions Society, and Past President of Skal International, Rotorua Club.

	Pic

	Name: Grant Kilby
	Destination Rotorua Economic Development
	Grant is the newly appointed General Manager of Destination Rotorua Economic Development and is a well known businessman. Grant was co-owner and director of local business Star 100% Rotorua for four years [also known as Star Appliances] and holding senior management positions with Vodafone and Mitsubishi Electrics Co NZ Ltd (Melco). More recently he was contracted to LV Martin & Son as Regional Manager when the national chain purchased Star Appliances. Grant has an enviable record as a successful businessman in our city, and understands the complexities of business growth and development. He also has a sound knowledge of Rotorua, its markets and its economy. He brings with him considerable entrepreneurial experience and has excellent networks in the business community. Grant is married to Catherine and has two children, aged 11 & 14 who attend John Paul College. Grant enjoys golf and fishing, and is an avid mountainbiker and strong supporter of mountainbiking in Rotorua.

Damien Radesic

Grant Kilby

Executive Members

Roger Brady, Pinnacle Business Solutions Ltd

Roger Brady is responsible for creating, managing and developing Pinnacle Business Solutions Ltd and has a proven track record in business having worked with hundreds of business owners, mangers and staff increasing their profitability and improving their life style. Roger is also a director of four other companies where he applies the skills that he teaches directly in the market place. Professionally before moving to New Zealand in 1994 Roger worked for the largest Constructions Company in Southern Africa, project managing large residential property developments of up to 600 houses each. He has formal qualifications in CivilEngineering, Sales, Marketing and Project Management. An unusual mix, which allows him to understand most elements of business from practical real life experience. Resident in Rotorua for seven years now he is passionate about his family, wife Dinnie is a well-known midwife in the Rotorua community and they have five wonderful children. Outside of working hours 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 am excited by the opportunity to be part of the Rotorua Chamber Executive and give something back to the wonderful community that has made Dinnie and I so welcome. I also believe that I can add significant value by sharing the experience gained over many years in business to help business here in Rotorua.”

Aaron Gillions, General Manager, Radio Network Rotorua

Aaron has been involved in broadcasting for the past 14 years in all facets of the business from announcing and programming to management, He has been General Manager for the past five years at TRN stations in Oamaru, Masterton and Rotorua. Aaron served on the Executive of the North Otago Chamber of Commerce, was the Chairman of DARE North Otago and was a member of Masterton South Rotary Club, in 2004 he also stood for election to the Waitaki District Council. Aaron has run several successful businesses including an Audio hire company, computer consultancy business and currently runs an internet software design company. He is also studying towards the New Zealand Diploma in Business. Outside of work you’ll find him running, swimming or cycling and competing in triathlon events over the summer months. Aaron is married to Tania and has two sons Zac (7) and Rhys (2) and believes that he can make a positive contribution to the Rotorua Chamber.

Grant Kilby *, Destination Rotorua Economic Development
Grant is the General Manager of the Economic Development Unit for the Rotorua District Council and a current member of the Chamber Executive Board and an Executive of the Regional Management Committee for Economic Development. Grant is an acting mentor for, and his unit manages, the Lion foundation Young Enterprise Scheme and he is the executive to the Bright Economy Advisory Board. A member of the Business Advisory Committee of Waiariki Institute of Technology and heavily involved in many infrastructural business activity 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 professional life. An avid believer in business excellence, his company Star 100% based in Rotorua won the National Award for Business Excellence in 2004. Grant has held senior management positions in Sales and Marketing with Vodafone New Zealand and Mitsubishi Electric. Grant has an enviable record as a successful businessman in our city, and understands the complexities of sustainable business growth. He also has a sound knowledge of Rotorua, its markets and its economy. He brings with him considerable entrepreneurial experience and has excellent networks in the business community. Grant is married to Cathryn and has two boys both Parkour (look it up) enthusiasts, aged 12 & 15 who attend John Paul College. Outside work, Grant is a personification of what he promotes for Economic Development in Rotorua being the epicentre in New Zealand where you can work, live, invest and play. A work/life enthusiast who enjoys golf, fishing, gardening (if pressured) and is an avid mountain biker and strong supporter of mountain biking in Rotorua. I look forward to another year on the Chamber Board; I have been fascinated by both the growth of the Chamber and its strength in business networking and advocacy.

Damien Radesic *, Mainfreight Transport

My name is Damien Radesic and I would like to continue my involvement on the Executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. I have lived in Rotorua for the last sixteen years, having gone to Rotorua Boys’ High School and then onto further education at Waiariki Institute of Technology. My working life has been involved in the Hospitality Industry as a professional chef, having worked in numerous hotels and cafes, here in Rotorua as well as overseas. I am currently involved in the transport industry working for The Mainfreight Group of Companies as an Account Manager for the Bay of Plenty. I have been with this company for the last four years, joining as part of their Development Squad for Graduates and then moving up into Management. I would like to continue my involvement with the Chamber because I believe I can help make a difference to the business industries of our city and also to help the younger generation of our community to be heard. It is also be nice to have someone younger on the Executive and give a different point of view that may or may not be being presented now. I hope that I can only help steer our community/business industries in the right direction so that we can have the correct strategic direction that enables us to move forward. I look forward to serving you well as part of the Executive.

Dr Margriet Theron *, Consultant

Margriet has served the Chamber of Commerce since 2001, becoming President in 2004, as a judge and convenor of judges for the Rotorua Business Excellence Awards, and as a member of the Rotorua Museum Fundraising Group. As a nominee of the Chamber, she is the Deputy Chair of the Geyser Community Foundation, and a member of the BrightEconomy Advisory Board, the Rotorua Air Quality Working Party and the Settlement Support Steering Group. She chairs the Business Advisory Committee of Waiariki Institute of Technology and is a Trustee of Speech NZ. Working on contract to Lakes District Health Board, she is managing the fundraising for and building of the Turangi Community Health Centre. She is a member of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board and Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua. She is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors and her work experience includes scientist and planning manager at FRI; science review manager at MoRST, and Dean of Waiariki’s Faculty of Forestry and Technology.