TRUSTEES
John Galbraith – Interim Chair
John has extensive experience developing and leading economic development strategies and projects in the Bay of Plenty over the past 8 years. He served as Executive Chair of Toi-EDA from 2015 to 2017.
He is currently Project Manager for the Ōpōtiki Harbour Transformation and holds a number of governance and advisory roles:
- Chairman and independent Director: Patchell Industries Ltd, Rotorua. (Transport manufacturing)
- Trustee, Eastern Bay of Plenty Regional Economic Development Agency
- Chair, Bay of Connections Freight Logistics Action Group
- Freight Advisor, BOP Regional Transport Committee
Anthony Olsen
Anthony works as an Independent RMA Commissioner, Cultural & Community Engagement Consultant and Treaty Negotiation Project Manager.
He has a demonstrated knowledge of corporate governance, director and trustee responsibilities and obligations; and has held a range of positions in the geothermal energy, fisheries, investment, treaty settlements and Māori development sectors, as well as the wine industry.
He is passionate about increasing investment in innovation and capability in these sectors, primarily increasing involvement of Māori in all sectors of the wine and tourism sectors as a pathway to future regional growth and success.
Ray Sharp
Ray and Lis Sharp own and operate a number of kiwifruit orchards around Opotiki, TeKaha and Omaio under Tirohanga Fruit Co Ltd, Huakiwi TeKaha Ltd and several other Companies. Ray has served on the Boards of Zespri and EastPack and is a qualified accountant.
Arihia Tuoro
Arihia (Whakatōhea, Tainui, Ngaitai) is an active and experienced Director and contractor. Currently she is Project Manager for Whakatōhea PreSettlement Claims Trust, and holds Ministerially appointed positions on Poutama Trust, BoP DHB, and one Lotteries Committee. She holds directorships on mussel, kiwifruit and farming entities. Arihia is also active as a Trustee on three lands trusts.
She holds a Diploma in Corporate Management and a Masters in International Business Management.
Wiremu Doherty
Professor Wiremu Doherty is the Chief Executive at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Prior to this appointment, he was Deputy Chief Executive Academic Provost (3 years),Executive Dean (3 years) and Head of School (1 year).
Wiremu is the Chair of Ngā Kaitūhono, the Body established by New Zealand Qualifications Authority to ensure Māori content is used appropriately. He is a former Director on Te Uru Taumata for Tūhoe and former Chairman of Manawaru Tribal. He is the past president of Te Akatea, the National body representing Māori Principals and Deputy Principals, and within this capacity has worked with several Education Ministers and Secretary of Education on numerous initiatives.
His whakapapa connections are Tūhoe and Ngāti Awa and he is an active participant in governance, iwi strategic and development issues. Wiremu has been a valued member of the leadership team at Awanuiārangi since 2009 and has held various executive roles. As Chief Executive, Wiremu has a portfolio of leading an organisation that has three main locations (Whakatāne, Tāmaki, Te Tai Tokerau) with a reach across Aotearoa of students from Level 1 to PhD programmes.
Aaron Milne
Aaron Milne is an experienced business, investment, and governance professional. More recently Aaron has been elected Chair of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Energy Trust (EBET). Aaron holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification, has a Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) and was previously an accredited NZX and ASX Advisor.
OUR TEAM
General Manager Strategy - Karl Gradon
General Manager Operations - Ian Morton
Ian was employed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) as the Science and Strategy Manager, responsibilities include (i) delivery of the council Freshwater outcome (leveraging teams across council) and (ii) support economic development opportunities across BOP between 2012 and 2018.
Ian is a professional programme manager with over 20 years of project, risk and programme management experience, working in various sectors from defence, telecommunication and more recently local government.
Ian has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Napier university (Edinburgh), he enjoys sea fishing, mountain biking and golf. Ian lives with his wife and eight year old son in Ōhope.
Manager Workforce Development - Barbara MacLennan
Barbara has management experience in local and central government, community organisations and the private sector. She specialises in cross-sector collaboration to achieve results around community-led aspirations and plans at local and regional levels. She’s been actively involved in the Ōpōtiki Harbour Development project for over a decade, and helped catalyse Eastern Bay’s focus on workforce as a key enabler of inclusive growth and development.
Barbara leads Toi EDA’s Workforce Development Programme. This supports locally-led and regional cross sector innovation to address barriers to workforce participation, and create new pathways into good Eastern Bay jobs and careers.
Barbara has an MA in social policy.
Manager Te Ara Huringa o Pupuwharau - Andrew Watson
Andrew is Facilities Manager for our driver-operator training centre based in Kawerau and serving the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty.
With a wide-ranging background in management, IT, education and road safety, he enjoys the role of managing the facility and working alongside the community to provide relevant, industry led training opportunities across the region. He's excited to be involved in the growth of the logistics and transport industries across the Eastern Bay of Plenty by helping locals to acquire the skills needed to work in the industry.
Andrew holds an NZIM Diploma in Management.
Office Coordinator - Lisa Baty