President

I have a strong passion for small business and free enterprise and strongly believe that innovation and risk takers should be rewarded. Private business is the back bone of Australia's economy and small business, in particular, should be fostered, encouraged and supported by all levels of government.

By being part of the Board of the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber I hope to encourage support to members and be an effective conduit to all stakeholders.

My partnership with The Money Managers Ltd enabled transition to a 100% Fee for Service business (pre-empting wider industry move) and employs "evidenced based" investing. I have operated in an industry which thrives on basic human emotion of greed and fear. I like to think that I have developed the ability to see through the "spin" and analyse events on a factual and rational basis.

The merger of this business into the Shadforth Financial Group now gives me ownership of one of the largest and well regarded, non bank owned, financial planning businesses in Australia.

Vice President

After working in the insurance industry locally over a period of almost 30 years Fran started her own business in  2004.

Insurance Brokers of Central Wagga is an authorised representative of Scott & Broad, Clark Pacific Insurance Brokers of Sydney. It is a trusted provider of quality insurance and risk solutions.

Understanding the insurance need of varying commercial, rural operations, small and large, as well as individuals, is key to the business’ success.

As the owner/senior broker of Insurance Brokers of Central Wagga, Fran has tackled many of the problems that face small business owners in Wagga Wagga. Her experiences help in understanding the needs of her clients as well as in her role of Vice President of the Wagga Business Chamber.

Being an active board member provides the opportunity to interact with small business and give back to the community.

Secretary

Jeremy Hutchings has a passion for working with people and a genuine desire to help them succeed in business and in life.

Committed to improving the prosperity of businesses in our region,
coming from a rural background himself, Jeremy understands what it’s like to be in business in a regional area.

Jeremy has experience across a wide range of industries and enjoyed a career in finance, marketing, strategy and business development. He has now worked with clients from diverse sectors such as agribusiness, professional services, retail, and wholesale.

Treasurer

Tanya moved to Wagga at the beginning of 1998, having worked within prominent local businesses, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of business procedures, and progressed through to become a respected and integral part of the teams.

At the beginning of 2005 Tanya and husband Jamie purchased Scientific Pest Management. Since then Tanya and Jamie have built the business up from a small home based business to now having a professional office in central Wagga, a small dynamic team of five, and has a great mix of clientele servicing the Riverina from home owners, investors, through to commercial and industrial clients.

Their achievements where recognised when SPM won not only the 2007 / 2008 prestigious National ‘Australian Pest Manager of the Year’ Award but also following up winning the 2010 NSW State Award. These awards acknowledge businesses in the Pest Management profession, which operate to the highest professional standards, provide excellent customer service and invests in the development of their team. Additionally, SPM have also been finalists within the Wagga Business Chamber Golden Crow Awards 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Tanya believes that the Chamber is a vital part of the Wagga business community and constantly needs to be developed, not only with the growth of Wagga but also as an integral hub of regional NSW. Being part of the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber Board has given Tanya the opportunity to be part of the business community, has greatly assisted in developing relations with other business owners not only small but large national companies as well, and has been a great learning experience from the people she has met along the way.

Board Member

Andrew grew up in a broad acre farming community in South Australia and Queensland before studying for his Bachelor of Economics (Actuarial) degree in Sydney in the early 1990s.  Andrew then worked in Canberra for the Insurance and Superannuation Commission (now APRA) and then for QSuper in Brisbane before moving to a small superannuation fund where he developed his passion for investment management (particularly in Australian shares). In 2004, Andrew completed his Masters of Applied Finance through Macquarie University.

In 2005 Andrew moved to Wagga Wagga permanently to be with his wife.   In 2009 Andrew worked briefly for an accounting firm in Cootamundra before he, his wife Jacinta, and another partner set up The Calidad Group which primarily specialises in fee for service based investment management for individuals. 

Andrew hopes to bring his experience of working with Boards, Committees, small businesses, and clients to the Chamber.  Andrew’s vision is to help the Chamber:

1. Promote Wagga Wagga as a base for business; and

2. Assist businesses with their strategic operations to enable owner/managers to ‘work smarter, not harder’. An efficient and profitable business sector will result in a stronger local community.

Board Member

Rod is a proud Wagga boy with a passion for aviation and local business.

On completion of his HSC at Kooringal High, Rod gained a Commercial Pilots License with Western NSW Airlines in Wagga, before graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1992. Rod went on to serve in the Australian Army Aviation Corps and later the RAAF as an Air Traffic Controller, completing around 10 years full time service. After Defence, Rod gained senior management experience in site, area and program manager roles with organisations such as Raytheon, BAE Systems, and Serco Sodexho Defence Services.  

Keen to move home, Rod founded Integrated Airport Solutions (IAS) in 2007 and is based the business in Wagga. The business that started from the dining room table has grown to become an industry leader in airport management, airport safety, and airport training with contracts across Australia.

Past iconic Wagga businesses, like Finemores and Kendell Airlines, created local employment opportunities where the younger generation did not have to move to Sydney or interstate in search of their careers. Rod believes the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber has a key role in working with different levels of government to ensure support for the development of local businesses.        

Board Member

I am a professional photographer and full member of the prestigious Australian Institute of Professional Photography and director of That Creative Place Pty Ltd on Morgan Street. I am passionate about promoting business through many mediums including web, print and television. Qualified in Design & Technology from the University of Western Sydney I have a strong interest in making business look great! I look forward to serving the business community of Wagga with particular concern for ensuring regional business is kept up to date in an ever increasingly global, web-based market.

Business Manager

I have lived in Wagga Wagga for close to 30 years and I regard it as one of the best cities in Australia to work and raise a family. I have a strong community involvement with many years spent on the Wagga City Council Tourism committees, coaching junior sport and various interest groups.

I have worked in a number of locations around NSW for over 20 years working for Westpac Bank. After leaving Westpac I returned to Wagga and took up a position at Charles Sturt University working in the field of adult and community education and stayed  for 12 years rising through the organisation to finally become CEO of a community and event management unit. 

The CSU Community Education unit was a mixture of event management, tourism and community education. The self-funding unit managed a number of programs from gifted and talented children, international tourist education through to world class art retreats.

I have a passion for regional Australia,  the communities, small business and interest groups that make living west of the divide such a wonderful experience. My goal in life and business has always been to make a difference.

Events and Administration Officer

I lived in Wagga for 9 years before moving to Albury for university where I spent a year and a half before relocating back to Wagga. I attended Sacred Heart Primary before moving on to Mount Erin and completed my HSC at Mater Dei Catholic College. Currently, I am studying part time at Charles Sturt University doing a degree in Marketing and Public Relations.

I have an enthusiastic and positive personality with a strong passion for business. I look forward to working with local Wagga businesses and assisting them with their interactions with the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber while also learning about the business environment.