Our Team
Councillor Lewis Brennan - Chairman
Cr. Lew Brennan has a diverse background in construction, farming, small business, art and socio-economic and environmental development. Some of Lew’s main interests are regional economical development, business, youth and education.
Lew has achieved a Masters of Learning Management and continues to volunteer and work extensively in the community.
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Sean Rothsey - Deputy Chairman
As Deputy Chairman, Sean Rothsey adds considerable skills and value to NISER. An exceptional mediator and negotiator, his success as a director in both public and private companies has been reflected in many industries.
Sean has substantial local and global influence, experience and connections in shipping and transport, trading, financial and accounting professions, legal, insurance and underwriting industries, retail and private banking, film entertainment and marketing, conservation, environment and sports administration all of which are adding indirect and direct value to NISER.
With a strong commitment to the local community Sean ensures that NISER can provide a holistic approach in respect to facilitation and collaboration that embraces a small community as well as a Larger dynamic when and where required.
Overseeing NISER’s infrastructure, finance, business and legal affairs and strategic alliances, Sean is a man of proven ability repute and integrity.
Rebecca McNeilly – Commercial Affairs
Rebecca rejoined The Merkin Group on 1 November 2009 after a 2 year absence in real estate sales, support and administration as well as website content management and payment gateways.
Originally with us during 2006 Rebecca’s history also includes financial control, accounts and administration, sales, customer service, and marketing. IT literate Rebecca is proficient in many software applications including Excel, Outlook, Word, Publisher, Powerpoint, ProShowGold4, Synergy Unit, Adobe IN Design cs3, Photoshop, VCNViewer, MYOB, Consol Gateway, Macpro, MyDesktop and various Gateway Payment Solutions.
Rebecca has attained a Certificate IV in Property, Certificate III in Retail Operations and Certificate III in Transport and Distribution.
Geoff Moller - Facilitator
Geoff Moller has over 25 years experience in managing small businesses and completed an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in 2002 while managing his own business. Geoff has worked for AusIndustry in a small business adviser role and more recently as a Senior State Development Officer supporting small to medium enterprises (SME’s).
Geoff has represented the University of the Sunshine Coast in inter-university competitions for Strategic Management sponsored by the Boston Consulting Group and has marked papers in strategic management for post graduate students from Australia and abroad. He has 17 years experience in the fast paced world of the IT industry and still loves the complex challenge of making things work together.
Geoff’s passion is for people doing better business and better communication; speaks professionally and supports a number of business owner-operators in his role as a general business advisor.
Charles Shewring - Facilitator
Charles Shewring is an accomplished trainer of trainers, having taught trainers to deliver accredited training and is particularly interested in assisting people to accomplish what it is they want to do.
In a business sense this includes training in the Sirolli ‘Trinity of Management’ which maintains that there are three dimensions to a successful business ‘The Produce/Service – the Marketing/Sales – and the Financial Management/Control’.
Business owners who concentrate on doing what they love to do in the ‘Trinity of Management’ and forming teams to do the things that they do not love to do will be advantaged in the performance and sustainability of their business.
Charles spearheads NISER’s representation of The Sirolli Institute and has previously facilitated on behalf of NISER many Community Development Plans, Grant and Funding Applications for Sporting and Community Groups and Business Assistance and Grant and Funding Applications for local business on the Sunshine Coast.
Dr. Ernesto Sirolli - Enterprise Facilitator
Italian-born, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli received a Laurea di Dottore in Political Science from Rome University in 1976 and a Ph.D. from Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia in 2004. He has worked in Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom in the field of economic development.
In 1985, he pioneered in Esperance, a small rural community in Western Australia, a unique economic development approach based on harnessing the passion, determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness of the local people.
The striking results of “The Esperance Experience” have prompted more than 250 communities around the world to adopt responsive, person-centered approaches to local economic development similar to the Enterprise Facilitation® model pioneered in Esperance.
Enterprise Facilitation has been documented in Dr. Sirolli’s book: “ Ripples from the Zambezi - Passion, Entrepreneurship and the Rebirth of the Local Economy.” Adopted as a textbook in an increasing number of academic courses in Community and Economic Development, the book has helped to introduce Enterprise Facilitation to a new generation of economic development practitioners and civic leaders interested in growing their communities from within, one passionate person at the time.
Dr. Sirolli is a noted authority in the field of sustainable economic development, and is in demand as a speaker worldwide.
Dr. Ernesto Sirolli is the Founder of the Sirolli Institute, an international nonprofit organization that teaches community leaders how to establish and maintain Enterprise Facilitation projects in their community.
The Merkin Group, in Cooroy, supply NISER with front and back end financial, technological and administrative services.
Complementing the NISER team are:
John Miles - IT & Online Marketing Manager
John’s unquestionable technical expertise is rounded by his astute commercial acumen. Previously working with organizations such as Rio Tinto, Video Ezy, British Gas and Fujitsu, John has been instrumental in the development of highly successful e-commerce, creative and marketing projects.
John also has significant experience not only as a Project Manager, but also as a Senior IT Advisor for Local and State Government Departments and private enterprise.
Amy Colley - Executive Assistant to the Chairman and CEO
Working her way through the ranks to establish an enviable background in legal and financial professional services, Amy has bought to the Merkin Group a high level of executive competence and a warm and infectious personality since her commencement in early 2005.
As a commercially astute business woman, Amy is a Proprietor of Pomona Produce & Pet Supplies. She juggles this successful family business venture (along with her husband Wayne who runs the family business day to day while Amy pursues her career with The Merkin Group) with her demanding and important executive role as Personal and Executive Assistant to Sean Rothsey.
Amy is registered as a Commissioner for Declarations for The Queensland Department of Justice & Attorney General’s Office, a Justice of the Peace and is currently completing her Associate Degree of Law externally at Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Amy concentrates on Financial Control, Treasury Management, Commercial, Business and Legal Affairs, Property Management, Financial Planning and Investment Strategies in core portfolios as well.
Trish Rothsey – Finance and Administration Officer
Trish began full time work at The Merkin Group in early 2006. She has since completed her Certificate III in Business Administration. Trish’s current role includes front office management, financial control and treasury management, foreign exchange dealing, database management, accounts payable and receivable, film title data basing, banking reconciliation, records keeping and filing. Trish is also receiving training by, and assisting, Sean and Amy in Commercial Property Management and Financial Planning and Investment Strategies in core portfolios of the Group.
Trish also has a passion for equestrian pursuits and cattle since the tender age of two has led her to gain invaluable agricultural experience on Merkin Pastoral’s Brangus Cattle Station and a performance horse stud on the Sunshine Coast. This has given Trish invaluable experience in working within a team environment where new and interesting challenges are continually encountered. Her duties included, among other things, branding, tagging, halter breaking and handling of livestock, calling for quick thinking and instant reaction, attributes that serve her well in the dynamic Merkin office environment.
Throughout 2009, Trish is undertaking further training in rural property management at Merkin Park one day a week which further enhances her broad range of core competencies.
Trish brings to the Merkin team a bright and confident young mind and a willingness to exceed in all aspects of her duties.
Jordan Duffy - Finance and Administration Officer
Jordan commenced working at The Merkin Group in early 2007. As a dedicated and focused member of the Merkin team, Jordan has continually set herself new challenges, attaining her certificate III in Business Administration. As a proactive administration assistant Jordan’s roles have included, but were not limited to client liaison, book keeping, database management, online marketing, events management, accounts management, accounts receivable and general business correspondence.
From 2009, Jordan’s main focus is our media and entertainment businesses front office management, financial control and treasury management, foreign exchange dealing, database management, accounts payable and receivable, title management, banking reconciliation, E & O Insurance, Producer Royalty Reporting, training and assistance in commercial, legal and business affairs, records keeping and filing.
Commencing 2009, Jordan is completing her Bachelor of Business - Accounting at the University of the Sunshine Coast and The Merkin Group are supporting her in those studies.
Like Trish, Jordan competes in the extreme equestrian sport of Eventing and that courage, commitment and resolve combined with discipline is demonstrated in her work ethic and accelerated acquisition of financial and management skills.
Jordan epitomises The Merkin Group team’s commitment, maturity and expertise demonstrated beyond her years and experience.