Committee Member Election Profiles | NECA

Committee Member Election Profiles

Dear NECA SA Member,

As you would be aware through receipt of a ballot paper the Australian Electoral Commission is currently conducting an election for the NECA SA Committee which this year has four positions declared vacant.

We have six candidates for those four positions and therefore in line with custom and practice when requested we provide below a brief profile of each candidate.

Greg Hodby (Committee Member)
Chief Operating Officer SA/NT of Nilsen

Greg has worked in the industry for over 38 years, all with Nilsen.
Beginning as an apprentice, Greg worked his way up through the Contracting business in various roles before his current position of Chief Operating Officer Nilsen SA and NT 4 years ago.
The Nilsen SA and NT teams number in excess of 400 people, incorporating all of the skills that NECA and its members stand for and represent.

Nilsen is a national company, so Greg brings first hand knowledge of our industry from right across Australia.  This incorporates the manufacturing sector (as a respected manufacturer of Switchboards), the communications sector, industrial relations and the continual advancements in HSE and training standards.
This knowledge, experience and desire to play a key role in the ongoing development of our industry ensures that Greg will continue to bring a pro-active attitude to the NECA management team. 

“I believe that the challenges facing industry today need us to continually invest in the people that exist in today’s talent pool, but more importantly, in those entering our industry for tomorrow. The ever changing technologies, along with the economic and environmental challenges we face can only be delivered with the assistance of a strong industry body such as NECA.”

 

Allan Aitchison (Committee Member)
General Manager of MIMP Connecting Solutions

Allan’s focus within the electrotechnology industry has primarily been in the Communications sector. Having started his career in the electrical industry, with a solid 16 years under his belt, Allan then tailored his career towards the Communications industry through which he has an impressive 35 years experience.

As C.E.O of MIMP Connecting Solutions, Allan is directly involved with the Communications industry, with a great amount of knowledge and experience to assist NECA in delivering the appropriate tools and assistance to establish the fundamental foundation to assist contractors in their business.

Allan has been a member of the NECA Committee of Management for 21 years, representing the Communications sector, and had also gone further as the NECA SA representative on the National Communications Council for over 9 years.

“The issues that I believe are crucial to the future of this industry are electrical and communications companies being up to date with new technology and products, WHS, QA, apprenticeships and training. Over the last 5 years I have led the development of an Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness course in regards to radiation emitted from carrier antennas on building roof tops for all trades. This short inexpensive course assists our members to easily identify radiation hazards on roof tops. The development of a Federal funded EMR course will be for all trades,” said Allan Aitchison.

New NECA/PEER EMR Course video can be found here.

 

Nicole Cheesman-Dutton (Committee Member)
General Manager of RCR O’Donnell Griffin

Nikki is new to the NECA committee in South Australia and brings over twenty years of experience in management within a range of industries, including the Communications and Electrical industries, along with significant experience in Small Business. 

Since joining the NECA SA committee last year, Nikki has driven a back to basics approach in ensuring that the organisation is meeting the needs of its members and keeping them central to our direction. As General Manager of RCR O’Donnell Griffin, Nikki has a solid working knowledge of the support structures required to manage both small and large business and of the ways of navigating through these to allow members to concentrate on the operations of their businesses.

“We are currently sitting in a tight market and the members of NECA need to feel the benefits of us assisting them to win work, keep their cost structure tight and maximise their profits. We can do this by keeping our focus on the way we engage with both the state and federal governments and the practical support we can provide members with. We need to ensure that all our members have access to the services provided by NECA and that these services are continually developed in a way that can be used practically by all businesses.”

 

Lynette Tapp (Committee Member)
Managing Director of Tapp Electrical

Lynette has been in the electrical contracting business for many years now, having started Tapp Electrical Pty Ltd with her husband Stuart over 30 years ago. They have built the business from the ground up and now directly employ qualified tradespeople as well as having successfully trained many apprentices over the years.

Lynette is Chairperson of the NECA Industry Advisory Group, a group formed of NECA SA members to consider and find solutions to issues that affect the efficiencies of business in the electrical & communications contracting industries. Lynette is very interested in the issues facing small businesses in this state which affect how these businesses are run and how NECA can assist in improving the way in which small businesses operate through changes to regulations / education and knowledge.

Lynette says, “I realise that small business is the engine room of the economy in this state and Iook forward to working with NECA on how they might best serve their members on the issues of today, while future proofing their businesses for the future.”

 

Andrew Cross
General Manager of NSG Boffa

Andrew is an expert in the electrical, communications, service and renewable energy sectors and is the General Manager of NSG Boffa and shareholder. Andrew has held various Executive roles at Pacific Services Group, O’Donnell Griffin, SA Power Networks and Tyco. He is known for his depth of understanding of the electrical market in Australia, and is a powerful advocate for the increasing scale of use of solar and other renewable energies in the domestic, commercial and industrial markets.

Andrew plays an active role in the industry and has always been great at generating new ideas and managing change. With a trade background and sound understanding of field delivery, Andrew has developed enviable leadership and decision making skills crucial to his position.

Andrew has been a NECA SA board member in previous roles at Tyco and PSG and has always brought his proactive attitude to the committee. Andrew says, “I have always enjoyed supporting positive outcomes for the industry through my involvement on the NECA Board. The board’s focus on Membership and Industry Training outcomes must be forefront of the committee’s strategic direction and drive. This, coupled with the ability to connect across the Industry on key issues, is extremely rewarding.”

 

Christopher Carroll
Managing Director of Tyrone Electrical Services

I understand the issues that electrical contractors face on a daily basis. My business has been successful for 20 years and I have travelled the road from starting off in my garage to going against the big guys and recently winning the Convention Centre Stage 2.

In my years in this industry I’ve had to contact NECA on occasions and have found it invaluable in having somebody to discuss my issues with and to receive valuable advice. I intend if elected, to reciprocate by making myself available to help other contractors.

I experience the ongoing issue of ensuring timely payments from builders and the frustration involved in payments for variations. I understand the daily issues and as a NECA member you can be assured that your issues are my issues and that approach resolution of these issues with a full measure of enthusiasm and commitment.

“Your issues are my issues.”