GEOFF O'CONNOR
President
SBB PARTNERS – MACKAY | BRISBANE
Geoff has been a long term local accountant in the region since 2000 and became a Director in 2012 at SBB Partners (Sammut Bulow Bennett Partners) operating across multiple locations. Geoff has gained extensive experience in the business services area over the past 21 + years, including the provision of taxation, business and accounting advice.
Geoff maintains a large portfolio of clients across varying industries and places a strong focus on his client needs. Geoff provides a personal service at every level, together with his energetic approach and uncompromisingly high standards for clients, he strives to exceed their expectations.
He also prides himself with staff development and is a great mentor for younger staff.
MADELEINE CONNORS
Vice President
THE DISPENSARY | NE FOODS
From a local Mackay family, Madeleine grew up dancing and helping at her mother's dance school which has been operating in the Mackay region for the past 37 years. In her “spare” time you would find her on the family cattle farm with her two sisters helping her dad. Madeleine started her career early by gaining a business traineeship through senior school with Flor-Hanly before moving her studies to CQUniversity, studying a Bachelor of Accounting.
Working full time with Flor-Hanly for five years and then Launch Accounting, Madeleine has developed her professional and accounting skills in private practice with forward-thinking and established mentors. Madeleine furthered her career when joining mining company, PIMS Group where she was exposed to a large scale mining business and so began her passion for company accounting.
Now, Madeleine works as the Commercial Manager for a group of companies that specialize in Hospitality and Aged Care employing 100 staff in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Regions. The group includes a number of well known Mackay brands like The Dispensary & Byrnes Pies. Madeleine works alongside the company Directors as well as the Senior Leadership Team where she focuses her time on providing the group with up to date financial guidance and advice. Madeleine has been involved in acquisitions, purchases and sales along with day to day operations of the businesses.
Already having served 12 months as a committee member, Madeleine is passionate about the members of the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce and the success of its business community especially through the current challenges many are facing.
ELIZABETH DENT
Treasurer
DGL ACCOUNTANTS
Elizabeth graduated from Central Queensland University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Accounting and became a member of CPA Australia in 2012. She obtained a Limited Public Practice Certificate in 2016 and is also a Registered Tax Agent.
Lizzy commenced her career with DGL Accountants in 2004 as a Trainee Accountant and was appointed as a Director in 2018.
Elizabeth has great knowledge in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and an excellent understanding of small business.
Elizabeth is highly regarded by her clients for going the extra mile and her approachable nature. She strives to bring excellence and integrity to every task at hand and thrives on building and maintaining strong relationships.
Elizabeth loves to travel, having spent a year living in Ireland in 2006. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Nigel and their 3 children.
KATIE DUNCAN
Secretary
MCKAYS SOLICITORS
Katie is a talented up and coming business lawyer at McKays Solicitors, with a passion for assisting Mackay businesses of varying sizes, across all industries. In her role as a commercial solicitor, Katie assists business clients across a broad range of industries from rural, mining, retail and professional services. She is therefore acutely aware of the challenges facing small to medium businesses in the region, especially with the ever-changing laws and COVID impacts.
Katie is already well known and respected in the Mackay business community and enjoys building strong connections and networks.
Aside from her existing involvement with the Chamber, Katie has been very active within YP (Young Professionals), and hopes to bring these two organisations closer together.
ASH-LEE JOHNSON
MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Ash-Lee has recently transferred to an Economic Development role to fulfill her high enthusiasm for business growth in the Mackay and region communities. In between this role and having a family with two young children, Ash-Lee is currently studying her Economic Development Accreditation qualifications.
With qualifications in accounting, Ash-Lee has a strong financial background, utilising her skills and knowledge across various roles within private business and local government, including management accounting, revenue and treasury where she made significant contributions to ensuring financial governance, preparing high-level reporting and managing council’s investment portfolio.
As a committee member of Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce, Ash-Lee is excited to be a proactive advocate for business opportunities in the region, and facilitate connections and engagement within the local business community for mutual growth.
In particular, with her interest in economic development, Ash-Lee is keen to help pursue new investment and growth opportunities that will continue the evolution to a more sustainable and diversified regional economy.
CATHY SULLIVAN
MOUNT PLEASANT CENTRE
In her role as Centre Manager for Mount Pleasant since moving to Mackay in 2010, then also taking on Whitsunday Plaza in 2015, Cathy has gained a great understanding of what it takes to succeed in business in our region.
Cathy is passionate about people., and has a strong commitment to the business owners and managers and the wider community she deals with on a daily basis. Cathy makes it a priority to foster relationships with all customers, retailers, community partners and other stakeholders, to ensure that they are provided with a positive and engaging experience to exceed their expectations.
Cathy is committed to seeing Mackay businesses succeed and hopes to be able to assist the chamber of commerce continue its focused and dedicated contribution to local business.
JAMES WORTLEY
ENLIGHTENED FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
James has been a financial adviser for the past 25 years. He founded his financial advice practice, Enlightened Financial Solutions in 2007.
EFS is the leader of innovation in the financial advice industry in Australia. James is also a foundation shareholder of Lumiant, a powerful, engaging software-supported advice experience that empowers clients to live their best lives. The business has recently launched in the US.
EFS has won many awards and finalist nominations; Finalist for the FPA Professional Practice of the Year 2016 & 2021 and IFA business award nominations. James has also been awarded; Barron’s Top 100 Australia’s Top Financial Advisers (2020 & 2021), FSPower50 most influential financial advisers in Australia and most recently Daily Mercury’s Power50: Mackay’s Most Powerful People.
VICKI SMITH
CONCEPT CONSULTING
Vicki is a marketing and communications professional with over 20 years’ experience and a passion to see the Mackay region thrive for generations to come.
Moving to Brisbane to study and work in large ASX-listed companies, Vicki returned to Mackay in 2012 and applied her skills and knowledge to regional businesses of all types. She has worked with some of the region’s largest organisations on strategic projects and has also enjoyed engaging with small local businesses.
Vicki is keen to apply her vast business experience to the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce and our dynamic and innovative business community.
MAREE STURDY
TREADWELL TYRE SERVICE
Maree and her husband have been business owners since 2008. Coming from a primary school teaching background, she then went into business in 2010 as the Quality Officer. Since then, she has grown her role in the company to include advertising, promotions and events, community engagement and networking.
Her enthusiasm and enjoyment for Chamber is directly related to their core values – “Advocate; Educate; Connect”.
CHAMBER STAFF
CHRISTINA STAGG
ADMIN AND MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
BIO COMING SOON!
ELLEN MADDEN
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT, EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Ellen Madden grew up in Mackay around a family owned, small business.
She attended university in Brisbane, played college basketball in the US, and was a barmaid in London.
A published author of a children's picture book she hopes to one day write a novel.
Ellen loves being part of a committed and passionate Chamber team that’s strives to create an environment for our business community to thrive.