Meet the Executives

President

LesleyAnn Thomas  |  People In Mind

LesleyAnn is the Owner and Director of two local businesses – an HR firm, People in Mind, and iLime, a payroll processing service. Working closely with people is something LesleyAnn has done all her professional career. Initially training in psychology and working in some interesting institutions LesleyAnn moved forward into HR and further business management training and currently holds Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (Human Resources) from Massey University to compliment her honours’ degree in Education and Psychology. Being so well versed in a range of industries LesleyAnn is regularly called on to tutor at polytechnics, universities and for industry groups. She also holds a position as Subject Matter Expert with the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and is currently being utilised to assist with new regulatory requirements for the finance and insurance sector.

And while she loves her businesses and career, most of all LesleyAnn likes working with people from all walks of life. Making a difference regardless of how small or large is what spins her wheels!

Vice President

Brent Nielsen  | NZ Institute of Rural Health

Brent Nielsen is employed by the New Zealand Institute of Rural Health as Business Manager, based in Cambridge. His career has included accounting, paramedicine and he is more latterly qualified with a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Waikato.

Brent has previously represented the Cambridge Community Board on the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Executive, and is now an elected Executive Committee Member and the Treasurer.

Executive Committee

Paul Evans  | Westpac

Paul Evans is married to Jane and has two children. Proud to be a Waikato boy at heart, Paul and Jane left New Zealand in 2004 to complete a stint living and working in the UK, returning some 3 years ago to re-establish themselves in Cambridge.

Paul has held senior roles with the education group Life Education Trust (Harold the Giraffe) and is a representative on the board of trustees at Leamington Primary. He is also an advocate for continual personal development having recently completed the first year of study toward an MBA, through Waikato University.

Paul has been employed in the banking industry for a number of years and has held a variety of roles in both Business and Retail Banking – currently as Bank Manager Westpac Cambridge. Jane is a director of Accountants on London – a progressive Hamilton based firm with a client base stretching throughout the greater Waikato region. Both are delighted to be raising their family in the success oriented community that is Cambridge, and are looking forward to continuing their personal contribution to that community.

Tresurer

Dean McLeod |  McLeod Consulting

Executive Committee

Paul Carrick  |  Carricks

Paul is a director of Cornerstone Financial Advisors Limited t/a Carricks. Passionate about the best practice process in financial planning, Paul is a 20-year industry veteran. Paul is highly qualified, being one of a few in the country to have a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) qualification and this underpins his expertise in business and personal risk solutions, financial coaching and mentoring people in business. Paul is also an INLPTA certified business communications master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). On the personal front Paul is married with three children and the family is active in the local community.

Executive Committee

Lesley Nielsen  |  Lewis' Barristers & Solicitors

Lesley Nielsen is an Associate with Lewis' Barristers and Solicitors. She has more than 12 years of legal experience and since 1999 has worked with the Lewis' team in property and business transactions and estate planning.

Her business studies at Massey University enable Lesley to provide clients with practical advice. Lesley holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Business Law) and is presently working toward a Bachelor in Business Studies.

Executive Committee

Philip Coles  |  Cambridge Real Estate

Since Philip entered into real estate in 2003 he has translated his farming and local knowledge into a successful Real Estate Business. Philip has successfully marketed and sold a wide range of properties that include small lifestyle sections and houses, dairy support units, farms and prestigious homes hidden in the hills surrounding Cambridge. His expertise however extends to marketing multiple lot farm subdivisions that retain the local environs; this valuable knowledge has helped landowners recognize the true value of their properties.

When not at work, Philip is actively involved in the Rural Community of Te Miro as well as the Cambridge Business Community, Philips roles include Chairman of the Retail Group, Sponsorship Coordinator for Karapiro Rowing along with being a Chamber of Commerce Executive, these roles provide invaluable knowledge that Philip can pass onto his clients along with networking with local business and professionals. Philip's Motto has always been CLIENTS FOR LIFE resulting from hard work, professionalism and respect amongst everyone that he has contact with.

Executive Committee

Stuart Locke  |  The University of Waikato

Executive Committee

Janine Peters  |  Ag Technology

Executive Committee

Pamela Ryan  |  Cambridge Edition

Executive Committee

Michael Pettit |  Cambridge Primary School