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Meet the Business Mentors
Graham Black
Graham is another of our foundation mentors – having been appointed in November, 1999. Graham has extensive experience in real estate, investment, entertainment/promotions and the building industry. Graham is the former owner of a very successful real estate agency and he is also a very qualified and sought-after musician.
Julie Blatch
Julie is another of our newer mentors and comes to us with a wealth of business, financial and training experience. In fact Julie is a former recipient of a Telstra Business Award for the Northern Territory with the HR business she very successfully operated in Alice Springs. Julie holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting and legal studies.
Peter Cane
Peter is also one of our most recent mentor appointments and comes to the organisation with an extensive financial background. Peter was a former company secretary and financial controller of a major national food company. Peter holds a Diploma in Accounting and a Diploma in Corporate Management.
Mark Cleary
Mark was appointed as mentor in April 2004 and he comes to our organisation with a wealth of marketing, sales and retailing experience. In fact Mark is a former owner of a major coffee shop franchise and also operates his own marketing consultancy business. Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce with a marketing major and he is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
Greg Groppenbacher
Greg was appointed a mentor in December 2005. Greg has extensive experience in the air conditioning industry having worked in this industry all of his working life. Greg is also very community minded, being a director of a number of boards and past president of Kariong-Somersby Rotary. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Harold Sharp
Harold has been a mentor of Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre since October 2004. Harold is the former Chief Executive of the North Shore Heart Foundation and he is also a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA). Harold has worked as National Marketing Manager for not for profit organisations and has extensive retail management experience.
Don Hanslow
Don was appointed as a mentor in February 2010. He has had 40 years experience across many industries including manufacturing, construction, hospitality, public service and local government and specialises in industrial relations and human relations systems. Don was a Senior Lecturer at TAFE for 30 years teaching industrial relations management and psychology.
Ralph Harris
Ralph was appointed mentor of Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre in November 2007. Ralph also comes to us with a wealth of experience particularly in the retail leasing sector. Ralph’s experience extends to shopping centre consultancy, management and trouble shooting. Ralph is also a licensed real estate agent which augments his extensive experience in the retail leasing sector.
Geoff Hetherington
Geoff is an internationally experienced senior executive with over 25 years experience as a CEO, General Manager, internal consultant & coach across industries as diverse as Retail (in various flavours), Pharmacy, Consumer Electronics, Marketing, Adult Education, Modular Building Construction, Shop & Office Fit Outs, Construction Supply & Telecommunications.
Dr. Helen Monks
Helen is another one of our very experienced and long-servicing mentors; she was appointed in November, 1998. Helen is highly educated having completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 1998. The topic of Helen’s PhD was Organisational Behaviour and Management, particularly in government and non-profit organisations. Helen manages her own consultancy business and has extensive experience in Regional Economic Development, Town Planning and Organisational Behaviour.
Colin North
Colin is one of our most experienced mentors having joined the organisation in October 2002. Colin has extensive management experience and is the Managing Director of the Australian subsidiary of a German owned company. Colin holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, a Postgraduate Diploma in Maintenance Management and he also holds a MBA.
Kevin Ogilvie
Kevin is a very committed mentor having joined our organisation is August 2007. Kevin’s retail management experience is extensive having worked as regional manager for a retail chain in Victoria. Kevin is committed to further self development; he is currently completing his MBA.
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Peter Pasfield
Peter has been involved in small business for over thirty five (35) years self employed in a variety of small businesses.
Peter’s strengths are his ability to truly understand the workings of small business and through his work and training as a business coach he has the ability to ask the right questions. Peter has a passion for small business and the benefits it can deliver for owners and their families.
Patrick Zuluaga
Patrick has been a mentor since Sept 2006. Patrick is a self-employed highly qualified and experienced marketing consultant with 20 years experience in the industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.