Joe La Grouw (Chairperson)

Chairman and owner of the Lockwood Group Ltd, Joinery Direct Ltd and La Grouw Corporation Ltd, Joe has a long and successful business record. Joe has been a director and member of many significant businesses and associations throughout NZ. Both Joe and his wife, Jo-Anne have been active supporters of the Rotorua community, sponsoring the Lockwood Aria, Lakeside Concerts and many other local initiatives.    

A business development consultant with work experience as planning manager at the NZ Forest Research Institute; science review manager at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology; dean of forestry and technology at Waiariki Institute of Technology; and a director of HortResearch. Presently she is project manager for the Turangi Community Health Centre. She is a member of Rotorua District Council’s BrightEconomy Advisory Board, Immediate Past President of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Rotorua, and member of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board.

Helen is a commercial solicitor and partner in the legal practice of East Brewster. She was born in Rotorua and has family ties to Rotorua which stretch back a number of generations. She is married to Trevor and they have two children. Helen is a trustee of the Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust.

Jeanne is a Director of Bright Wild and Thomas Chartered Accountants. She has lived in Rotorua for 26 years. During this time she has forged a strong career in accountancy. Jeanne is very committed to Rotorua having been involved in numerous local organisations. Jeanne is underpinned by her family values. Jeanne and her husband have brought up three great children and share a passion for the arts, mountain biking, food and culture.

A Chartered Accountant having been a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1985. He commenced working with NZI Trust (now Guardian Trust) in Hamilton in 1977 and rose to Branch Manager in Rotorua when he left to enter public practice in 1995. He has considerable experience in the management of investment Trusts, charities and deceased estates. His firm, Hulton Patchell Limited is involved in the day-to-day management of Trusts and entities that have combined asset values in excess of $400 million. Murray has been a member of the Rotorua Rotary Club since 1990. He is a Past President, a Past Assistant Governor and a Paul Harris Fellow. Murray has been involved in a number of community projects. He is married to Helen and they have three children.

Richard is the current senior partner of the law firm Davys Burton. He practises commercial law including local government, resource management, commercial contracts and trusts. He has lived in Rotorua since 1981 and he and his wife have two teenage sons. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Rotorua, a former executive member of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and is the honorary solicitor to a number of organisations. His outside interests include fishing and golf. 

Paul has been in practice in Rotorua since 1973. He is a partner in the legal practice of Sandford & Partners. He specialises in commercial law, trusts, rural law, and general property and contract law. He is involved with a number of community organisations both as a member and as honorary solicitor. He is very involved with his family and his outside interests are diverse, but generally involve boating, fishing, diving, rugby and running.

Tom Davies

Tom joined Craigs Investment Partners in 2000 as an investment advisor.  He is the manager of the Rotorua branch and a Director of Craigs Investment Partners.  With a background in farming, he went to Lincoln University and then worked as a rural manager for the National Bank.  He also worked as a finance analyst for a merchant bank in the UK.  His qualifications include BCom (Ag) degree from Lincoln University and NZ Exchange Diploma.  Tom has a Share Broker's Licence and is a member of the New Zealand Exchange (NZX).  In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors, especially fly fishing, diving, running and golf.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Annette Burgess

Annette is the Executive Officer of the Geyser Community Foundation and is responsible for its day-to-day operations. A Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, she is the Principal Director of imPRove it Public Relations and a Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. Annette has been involved with a number of local community organisations and is currently Acting Chairperson of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Community Trust, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Lakes and a Paul Harris Fellow.