During a break in the evening MC Heather Foord interviewed some lucky guests at the Management Excellence Awards.
Scroll down for more videos from the evening.
2007 Photo Gallery
- Photographs from the 2007 Queensland Management Excellence Awards, held on Friday 2 November 2007.
Professional Manager of the Year
The final category this evening is the Professional Manager of the Year sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank.
This category seeks out managers who have excelled in all facets of managing a team, a business and themselves.
The Institute defines Professional Managers as those who have made management their profession... ordinary people who do extraordinary things for their organisations on a day-to-day basis.
Presenting the Award this evening is John Hoey, General Manager, Queensland and Northern Territory from the Commonwealth Bank.
The 2007 State Finalists for the Professional Manager of the Year are:
Richard Cottee
Managing Director, Queensland Gas Company
representing Brisbane
During his time at Queensland Gas Company, Richard has transformed the company by identifying the fundamental drivers of his business and positioning it to take advantage of the foreseen changes in each of those areas. In management he believes that passion defines the difference, and that it is imperative to communicate your vision in order to make things happen in the team. The judges believe Richard stands out for the ways in which he articulates a clear vision and acknowledges the contributions of those who work with him. The success and growth he has spurred for QGC are a testament to his ability to apply his leadership.
Tony Marrinan
Regional General Manager, Queensland, Mirvac Hotels and Resorts
representing Cairns
Since taking up his current role at Mirvac Hotels and Resorts, Tony has doubled the regions annual turnover and anticipates doing the same again by June 2008. He has been successful in identifying areas of inefficiency and taking responsibility for all aspects of change and integration in the organization. While holding a significant, influential role he maintains a hands-on involvement with CEOs, board members and kitchen hands alike. The judges believe Tony’s approach is what has resulted in excellent financial outcomes, and industry accolades. He demonstrates a commitment to professional development for himself and his team.
Joel Otley
Manager Production, NRG Gladstone Operating Services - Gladstone Powerstation
representing Gladston
Joel has a strong focus on people management. His approach is to ensure a healthy and interesting work environment. Joel sees this as a challenge for Australian managers and uses his position at NRG Gladstone to address it. This has been a goal of Joel’s since early in his career. Since this realisation he has actively sought the necessary training to achieve his objective. The judges commend Joel for shifting his technical focus to one of genuine interest and desire for success of those around him. In embracing this transition, he has become a great leader.
Kerry Hine
District Manager, Telstra Country Wide
representing Mackay
As a manager, Kerry focuses on coaching and inspiring his team. He sees the importance of motivating individuals and fulfilling their needs in order to produce a highly effective team. From early on, Kerry set himself up to enter the ranks of management with the goal to make a difference and assist others to deliver their best to the organisation. The judges commend Kerry for his commitment to mentoring and passing on his invaluable experience to others. He maintains a work/life balance and demonstrates that both personal and professional success can be achieved simultaneously.
Derek Lightfoot
Chief Executive Officer, The Rock Building Society Ltd
representing Rockhampton
Derek is a motivational leader. He manages by creating enthusiasm about tackling challenges that lie ahead. He bases his management style on trust and open communication. He also places importance on supporting the success of others and stressing ethics, fairness and balance. Derek’s ability to build strong, lasting business relationships attributes to his success. The judges believe that Derek’s empowering, modern management skills are responsible for staff retention and improved business processes, which have resulted in returns to their clients.
Craig Humphrey
Director, Department of State Development
representing the Sunshine Coast
Craig enjoys taking a departure from traditional management techniques and applying new ones in a modern corporate environment. He has been responsible for introducing a work life balance initiative in the office, meeting personal and professional demands of his staff. He believes in ensuring stability in the work environment, and having staff extend themselves beyond the boundaries of their capabilities. Craig’s demonstrate initiative to adapt his leadership styles to meet the demands of the workplace environment, being perceptive and recognizing group dynamics and individual personalities.
John Minz FAIM
Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Building Society
representing Toowoomba
John believes that one of the key areas of strategic planning is structuring a great place to work. He ensures this at Heritage by providing workload models, recognition schemes, communications channels, and health and wellbeing programs. He sees the importance of good people management, as it ultimately maximises the company’s ability to achieve overall strategic success. The judges commend John for his quest to ensure each person in Heritage understands their role and contribution to the corporate structure. They believe his articulation of the organisation’s values and objectives lead to the implementation of extraordinary customer service.
And the winner is...
Owner Manager of the Year
Our next category this evening is the Owner Manager of the Year sponsored by Australia Post.
The Owner Manager of the Year identifies managers who have made a significant contribution to the growth of their own business, or co-founded an enterprise with a business partner.
The Institute defines owner managers as community minded leaders with a high level of business acumen combined with an extraordinary level of self-discipline.
Presenting the Award this evening is Helen Brodie, State Commercial Manager for Australia Post.
The 2007 State Finalists for the Owner Manager of the Year are:
Jennifer Hutson
Managing Director, Wellington Capital Limited
representing Brisbane
Jennifer has built what is now a leading institution within in the Queensland finance scene. As the managing director she has placed a strong emphasis on maintaining a flexible, family friendly work environment. She encourages commitment and vision and inspires staff to believe anything and everything is possible. In light of this, she takes pride in implementing strategies that are designed to accommodate staff needs and reward hard work and passion. Jennifer is recognised for her entrepreneurship and initiative, and creating an organisation where people feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Renae Kunda
Director, CYMCA Pty Ltd
representing Cairns
Renae has developed a unique work culture at CYMCA, believing in maintaining personal relationships with colleagues. This in turn has served her well with dedicated, productive relationships and ongoing commitment to the success of her business. Renae exhibits an undying passion toward her job. In doing so she has succeeded in a niche industry and is setting the standard. She has grown her business with eco-certification, and is set to revolutionise the industry.
Sandy Turner
Owner/Manager, Mopheadz Hair & The Haircutters
representing Gladstone
Sandy has developed her business by developing her staff. She believes that teamwork is the key to a successful business, and that management is about everyone moving forward together. She maintains this ethos through all aspects of her business by implementing a framework for full service, increasing the skills of her workers and keeping them abreast of new trends, products and knowledge. She has introduced innovative ways to differentiate her company in what is a large, competitive industry.
Kathryn Frolley
Owner/Operator, Jolt Health Bar
representing Mackay
Having a business that promotes good health and vitality, Kathryn ensures a positive team vibe so that it permeates through the service provided by her staff. She conducts regular sessions to uphold customer service standards, and ensures that all staff are trained in all areas to maximize efficiency in the workplace. Kathryn’s research and product development has seen her fulfill the needs of her customers successfully. Her method of management has enabled her to sustain her business by delivering a service and experience as an extension of the product.
Ross Mylrea
Managing Director, A Man's Toyshop
representing Rockhampton
Having been in business for over 30 years, Ross continues to take an enthusiastic approach to business. He recognises the need to move with the times, and as a result has taken on new developments in his business to maintain an aggressive and competitive stance in the market place. Recently he has introduced a website and online sales. He believes in working closely with his senior management team and delegates decision making. He emphasises the faith he has in all members of his organisation.
Keith Neuendorf
Owner/Managing Director, The Neuendorf Group
representing the Sunshine Coast
While Keith owns and operates a number of businesses within the Neuendorf Group, he believes in having a hands-on approach to all aspects. He has a strong knowledge of all business activity, an experienced in-house team and external consultants to keep him ahead of the game. Ken focuses on retention strategies to maintain business success. He also instills confidence and pride in his team members so they are inclined to care about what they are doing, and treat his business as it is their own. He believes personally and professionally satisfied staff is the key to success.
Julie Kerin
Managing Director, HB Recruitment and HB Training
representing Toowoomba
Julie has called on her extensive experience in the training and recruitment industry to successfully manage her business. She plans to use this knowledge and expertise to develop her team into the most respected leading recruitment and training agency in the region. She drives her staff to provide a holistic service so that the organisation can be considered a ‘one stop shop’ for training, recruitment and human resource management needs. The judges believe Julie demonstrates excellence in industry level engagement through her involvement in professional associations and networks.
Ken Bellamy
Managing Director, VRM Group
representing Townsville
Celebrating its 10th year in operation, Ken operates a regionally based bio-tech business that offers natural based environmental products and services. Ken and his team at VRM Group have created a niche against competition from some of the world’s largest companies, in what is a growing market sector. His company now employs 16 people, and supports a network of distributors across Australia and Europe. Ken prompts his staff to be innovative in creating products and services that are environmentally helpful, readily available and commercially viable.
And the winner is...
Young Manager of the Year
This category is for young managers who lead an organisation or major business unit in a professional capacity or own and operate their own business that employs more than five people. Nominees in this category must be 35 years of age or younger.
Presenting the Award this evening is Professor Michael Powell, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) from Griffith Business School.
The 2007 State Finalists for the Young Manager of the Year are:
Michelle Kretschmer AIMM
National Manager Finance Sales and Support, Westpac Banking Corporation
representing Brisbane
For Michelle, managing is a journey to creating greater personal and professional growth, and bringing individuals to the realisation that ordinary people can accomplish great things. She maintains a culture of empowerment and innovation in the workplace, and in doing so has greatly increased efficiency. Michelle recognises the importance of attracting, retaining and developing people to deliver their best for the organization. She aims to instill character, passion and drive in others.
Tania Cobham, Manager
Arup Water, Cairns
representing Cairns
As the manager of Arup Water, Cairns, Tania has worked hard to bring about new service offerings and secure important projects for the company. She believes in infusing a sense of bravery in those who work around her, in order to be creative with their approaches and in return reap bigger benefits. She works hard to provide an environment where people are challenged to reach their full potential, and rewarded. Tania is often praised for her innovative style of looking for new avenues of development and also her strong client relationships.
Melissa Tomlins
Environment Superintendent, Queensland Alumina Limited
representing Gladstone
Since beginning at QAL Melissa has taken the initiative to move through the company to her desired level. Coming to the realisation that she wanted to make a difference, Melissa knew she needed to advance in her role. To do this she made a plan, developed the characteristics and gained the experience she needed to make herself marketable as a manager. In addition to her management position at QAL, she also now represents the company on a number of community committees. Melissa is able to influence a broad spectrum of activities, well beyond her years and experience.
Arron Johnson
Logistics Manager VIC/TAS/Hunter (formerly Logisitcs Manager Mackay), Reliance Petroleum
representing Mackay
Arron has a management style of walking the talk, and expects nothing of others that he cannot achieve himself. He also believes that it is important for him to place trust in colleagues and employees, and furthermore that they can see it. To achieve this, Arron strives for consistency in his behavior and honoring confidences. He also sees the importance of giving autonomy within roles, and giving people real responsibility to run their own projects without limitation. The judges believe that Arron has achieved his level of management through being well rounded in his approach, and adopting the philosophy of “Management is doing the things right; Leadership is doing the right things”.
Leah Ronczka
Project Engineer, RoadTek
representing Rockhampton
As project engineer of RoadTek, Leah has chosen to work on assignments that enable her to manage the total project - from construction methods to human resources, she puts the principles she has learnt through her studies of management into practice in order to develop them. She strives to be instrumental in leading her team through numerous varied projects. In addition to this, Leah takes on several community based activities that allow her to exercise professional skills. It is the passion towards her team, her maturity, and her enthusiasm in her work that make her a respected manager.
Amber Werchon
Real Estate Agent, Ray White Maroochydore - The Amber Werchon Team
representing the Sunshine Coast
Since starting her own business 3 years ago, Amber has taken Ray White Maroochydore from strength to strength, growing from a staff of 2 to 14. With a career goal of running Australia’s most successful boutique real estate office, she sees the importance of nourishing the talent within the team because the business will only be as good as the people in it. Amber is a consummate professional. The platform she has built for herself at the age of 24 will enable her to shine on a national level.
Carmela Littlejohn
Loans Processing Manager, Heritage Building Society
representing Toowoomba
Having been instrumental in product development, internal organizational efficiency, and member satisfaction, Carmela has elevated the priority given to customer needs, and readdressed service standards in her organisation. In doing so she has engaged her team and moved closer to her goal of making her staff self sufficient. To maintain the high level of service and professionalism she has obtained, Carmela looks to developing the skills of newcomers to the workforce and enjoys watching their hard work come to fruition.
Jeff Reibel
Business Development Manager, North Queensland Cowboys
representing the Townsville
Since his initial appointment 4 years ago, Jeff has become part of the North Queensland Cowboys management team. He sees his position as an opportunity to evolve and set new challenges for himself rather than just for others. Jeff recognizes that complying to his day to day responsibilities has an impact on the larger team, even those he is not involved with directly. He believes in delivering and performing exactly what he communicates to staff, members, and stakeholders. The judges commend Jeff’s stance in being prepared to differ from popular points of view and is ability to consult widely in order to create workable alternatives in difficult situations.
And the winner is...
Recent Posts
- Interviews from the floor...
- Just when you thought it was time to go home...
- Now it's time to say goodbye...
- WINNER - Professional Manager of the Year
- Professional Manager of the Year
- WINNER - Owner Manager of the Year
- Owner Manager of the Year
- WINNER - Young Manager of the Year
- Young Manager of the Year
- WINNER - Rural/Remote Manager of the Year
Recent Comments