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

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.

Public Officer

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

Jacqueline Negline-Smyth, graduated from Sydney University with Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from CSU ,specialising in change management and leadership.

Jacqueline’s career commenced with Global FMCG companies Procter and Gamble and Uncle Bens (Mars Inc) in Sales and Marketing roles, specialising in space management, account management for Woolworths, Coles and Franklins, forecasting in MRP11, marketing and lead Category Management  best practices to name a few.

Jacqueline has held many senior executive roles in marketing and branding, product development, quality and innovation.

As a direct result of Jacqueline’s team leadership and the launch of Australia’s first premium private label, First Choice at Dairy Farm , Jacqueline was named runner up Corporate and Government  category  Telstra Business Women of the Year awards in 1999.

Jacqueline and her husband Andrew have, despite their busy schedules, farmed and grazed in the Riverina since 1991. In 2011 Jacqueline established Tilbuster Pastoral Boer Goat Stud, focusing on stud and commercial operations for meat production .Goat meat being the number one red meat protein source consumed in the world.

Today, as Managing Director of Stratpreneur  – Business Management Solutions, Jacqueline's expertise lies with strategic business planning, operational optimisation and people development. Jacqueline enjoys sharing her vast corporate knowledge with local businesses who are striving to better their future and the community.

Jacqueline’s high level aspirations for Wagga Wagga and Region are two- fold:

• to encourage large business to our region , providing more variety and opportunity for career development in rural Australia, and the buoyant commercial consequences for small businesses, services and regional prosperity.
• The personal growth and professional development of our people to have the opportunity of reaching career satisfaction locally without compromise, commuting or relocating to metropolitan regions .

Board Member

John Beattie is the store manager for Sleepdoctor in Wagga Wagga, with a keen interest in community and business development, he has spent most of his adult years in various community roles as well as being a business owner for 24 years, and more recently a store manager in Wagga Wagga for 8 Years.

This community interest lead to John’s involvement in  local government  which spanned 8 ½ years including holding the position of Mayor of the Narrandera Shire Council for 5 years, leading to long term roles in industrial development, local and regional tourism, town improvement/beautification and political representation to higher tiers of government to progress shire development.

He has a Diploma in Accounting, and has 12 years experience as a Director for the Country First Credit Union, serving as Vice-Chair for 3 years and 8 years as Chairperson of the Audit committee.

John understands that the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber needs to work in a cohesive way with other key stakeholders in the community, especially with local government. His vision is to support the chamber with his experience and work toward a successful partnership with the community for a sustainable business sector that can look toward growth and profitability.

Board Member

Born in Tasmania, educated in Hobart and Melbourne, I worked in the Tasmanian Education Department as a High School Music Teacher for 10 years.

As my wife Mandy and I were interested in Pharmacy Ownership and I thought I needed to be more involved, we moved our three children to Wagga Wagga in 1999 and I started a Pharmacy Degree at CSU.  On graduation we owned and were running three pharmacies in Wagga Wagga and from 2007-2011 I ran Lockhart Pharmacy on the outskirts of Wagga Wagga as a sole proprietor re-establishing a viable business.

This year I accepted a position as Pharmacy Practice Lecturer at CSU Wagga Wagga. I have great memories of my time as a mature age student at CSU and believe that i can offer come recent perspective to the students and they embark on their professional careers after graduation.

As an ex-pharmacy proprietor I know how hard small business people work to maintain and develop their businesses, provide employment, pay bills and develop business apart from satisfying their customers. My recent work developing 'Magpie Distributors" has focused me on the costs of goods, availability, transport and more finance related issues that are more removed from the clinical aspects of pharmacy ownership. I hope to use my energy and interest to establish Wagga Wagga and its surrounds as a community that attracts those who want employment, particularly amongst the younger members who are just starting their journey of life.

Board Member

William grew up on the Northern Tablelands in NSW before moving to Sydney to complete a Bachelor of Science at the University of NSW. This led to the completion of a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney with first class honours and the University Medal.

In 2007 William moved to Wagga with his wife Emma and two children Hudson and Josephine. In 2008 he became a partner across the four Capital Chemist stores in Wagga before they evolved and became the Pharmasave Wagga Group. 

William is passionate about rural health care and regional business opportunities.

William believes the Chamber should promote innovative and successful business opportunities across all areas of commerce and industry. The Chamber should also be a strong advocate for local business providing update to date and relevant advice to all levels of government.

Honorary Board Member

Lan is a Lecturer in Marketing in the School of Management and Marketing at Charles Sturt Unicersity Bathurst campus. She has extensive teaching experience from institutions including Macquarie University, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Sydney.

Prior to becoming an academic, Lan held senior marketing roles in the appliance and professional services sectors spanning over 15 years. Lan is also experienced in small business, having established her own private consulting business specialising in marketing strategy and communication.

Lan's research interests are focused in the area of services marketing including service quality and satisfaction, the economic and social outcomes of service consumption, relationship development, and co-production in high involvement services. A second research focus is entrepreneurship within the context of small and medium sized enterprises.

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

Having lived in Wagga for almost 14 years and growing up attending primary school and high school in Wagga I have an appreciation for the local community with a focus on Young Professionals development. I am now tertiary qualified in Marketing / Organisational Communications and Public Relations and am looking forward to putting my knowlegde to good use.

With a passion for events and marketing and an enthusiastic and positive personality I look forward to continuing to work with local Wagga businesses, assisting them with their interactions with the Wagga Business Chamber and helping to deliver educational, social and business focused events to help businesses continue to improve in the marketplace.