Deborah Wright, Chair - NBN

Deborah has 26 years experience in sales, marketing and management in the broadcasting and telecommunications industry.

After a short period in the print media Deborah moved into television advertising sales and marketing with NBN Television, Australia's highest rating television station. Deborah has extensive experience in both national and regional markets in broadcasting and telecommunications in the area of sales, marketing and management.

Deborah held the unique dual role of Advertising Manager of the Newcastle Star and General Sales & Marketing Manager for NBN Television in the late 1980s. In 2000, after the completion of NBN's digital broadband network rollout, Deborah's role expanded to Group General Sales & Marketing Manager responsible for the entire sales and marketing operation of NBN Television, SP Telecommunications and Kooee Communications.

Deborah held the position of General Sales & Marketing Manager of the NBN Group of companies for 14 years before her appointment in July 2005 as NBN Television's Station Manager, responsible for the overall broadcasting operation including one80° DIGITALPOST.

In May 2007, NBN was acquired by PBL Media and subsequently in June 2007, Deborah was appointed Chief Executive Officer for the group of companies, responsible for both NBN's total broadcasting operation and NBN's state-of-the-art production division, one80° DIGITALPOST.

Deborah has an MBA, a Diploma in Teaching, is a Director of Newcastle Airport, a Member of Council of the University of Newcastle, a Director of several Broadcasting Related Companies and has undertaken extensive professional development over the past 26 years. Deborah has a passion for the region, the community and the environment as is reflected in her commitment to the many roles she currently holds.

Lindy Hyam, Deputy Chair - Newcastle City Council

Lindy commenced as General Manager of Newcastle City Council in September last year. For the last 16 years, Lindy has held national and international CEO, director and non executive director roles.

For five years Lindy had over 700 staff located in 100 international education offices across 45 countries for which she was awarded the National Export Award for Education Services in 2004. Her experience ranges across three levels of government including CEO of the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation, a Commonwealth Statutory Authority; CEO of Plant Health Australia, a company owned by the Commonwealth, all State and Territory Governments and all plant industries for management of emergency plant pests and diseases; Executive Director of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission which handed down its final report to government in July 2009, having led the consultation program right across Australia; Director Organisational Development Warringah Council; non executive Director of the NZ Crown Research Institute of Horticulture and Food, being the first international director; non executive Director of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, and currently nonexecutive Director of Campus Management Services Central Queensland University and non executive Director for the Newcastle Airport.

She has led significant innovation and change management in education, agriculture and public administration and is passionate about organisational leadership and customer service. She is the former NSW President of Women Chiefs of Enterprises International and Member of the Australia Asia Relations Round table.

Rob Cooper - Macquarie Generation

Rob Cooper is Communications Manager with Macquarie Generation, Australia's largest electricity generation company.

Rob has a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education from the University of Newcastle and is a Member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Rob has held positions in corporate communications management for over 15 years in the health, education, welfare and energy industries.

Rob is also a Director of Lifestyle Solutions Australia and Vice President of the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre management committee.

Christine Warrington – TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Christine Warrington has been employed by TAFE NSW for the past 20 years. During this time Christine has held many senior managerial positions including Director Learning Environment, Campus Director and most recently as Associate Director.

As Associate Director at Hunter TAFE Christine manages the overall business support functions of Hunter TAFE to ensure the organisation meets its corporate goal of providing high quality, cost effective vocational educational and training services. In this role Christine is responsible for providing leadership and strategies to support workforce development, campus operations and the learning environment, student support services, human resources, finance and administration, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, information technology, asset and environmental management.

In her roles with TAFE NSW Christine has worked on many projects at a State and Regional level, not only for TAFE NSW but for the broader NSW Department of Education and Training, contributing to a diverse range of strategies within the NSW Public Education System.

Christine is committed to state and regional economic development and works closely with local industries and communities to identify and plan for their future training needs. As Chair of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet's Hunter Regional Managers Network, Christine is an active contributor to the economic and strategic direction of the Hunter and Central Coast Regions.

A graduate of both TAFE NSW and University Christine has experienced first-hand the value of education and training in career advancement and development. Christine is a strong advocate and supporter of the NSW Public Education System. She recognises the importance and strength of being able to provide ongoing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to be involved in lifelong learning.

Christine has a long history of providing strategic leadership to ensure Hunter TAFE's environmental management plan, environmental programs and partnerships achieve ongoing sustainability and community contribution.

Fiona Nicholls - Coal & Allied managed by Rio Tinto Coal Australia

Fiona is responsible for Community Relations; Aboriginal Relations; Government Relations; Media; Internal Communications; Investor Relations, Climate Change and Sustainable Development for Rio Tinto's coal investments in Australia.

Fiona joined Rio Tinto in 1994 and has held a number of management positions in various Rio Tinto businesses, including General Manager Sustainable Development for Rio Tinto's Energy product group.

Roger Brock – Newcastle Newspapers

Roger Brock was appointed Editor of The Newcastle Herald in February, 2009. He has 30 years experience in journalism and has served in several senior editorial roles at The Herald including deputy editor, chief of staff, chief subeditor and features editor. He began his cadetship in journalism with the Illawarra Mercury newspaper before joining the reporting staff of The Newcastle Herald. He was appointed to the board of Together Today in February 2009.

Graham Davidson – Port Waratah Coal Services

Graham commenced his career in 1977 with a Mechanical Engineering traineeship at BHP Steelworks, Newcastle. Graham progressed through this traineeship, attending University part time, whilst completing his Fitter and Turner trade qualifications. From BHP Graham joined the mining industry in 1986 and has continued his involvement in the mining industry through to today.

During Graham's career he has worked in Indonesia, Western Australia and Namibia performing engineering, heavy equipment procurement and senior management roles.

While in Indonesia Graham managed extensive Caterpillar and Komatsu fleets totalling 127 heavy haul trucks with 25 accompanying shovels. Graham was also part of the expatriate community that was involved in expanding the mine from 7 Million tonnes per annum to 17 Million tonnes per annum capacities. During this time Graham was also a key member on the Rio Tinto Global Procurement Team who negotiated tyre contracts for the Rio Tinto Group.

Graham left Indonesia and returned to Perth in 2002 to take up the role as Secretariat, Core Technologies. This role was to co-ordinate and negotiate procurement of heavy equipment and tyres on a global basis for the Rio Tinto group. Graham was then offered a role in Namibia at Rossing Uranium – another Rio Tinto company.

Moving to Namibia, Graham was appointed as Operations General Manager of Rossing Uranium. During this time, Graham worked with the Board of Directors for expansion approvals during a time of low prices and was also Heavy Mobile Equipment Director for the Rio Tinto Group.

In October 2005, Graham returned to Australia to take up the role of General Manager, Port Waratah Coal Services. During this time the PWCS Board has committed funds to the order of $640m for expansion.

Graham has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Diploma in Maintenance Management, is the Vice Chairman of Coal Export Terminal Operator Association and is a member of various associations relating to his profession.

Martene Archer - EnergyAustralia

Martene is the Executive Manager Strategic Services with EnergyAustralia. In this role, Martene is part of the executive team who are overseeing a $5 billion dollar infrastructure investment program that is being rolled out across the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney – the largest capital works program ever undertaken by the organisation – as well as the development and delivery of EnergyAustralia's intelligent grid and environmental sustainability strategies.

Martene has over 20 years experience in the energy and health sectors, and has more recently focused in the areas of strategy, marketing and communications and governance.

Martene was educated in Newcastle and holds an MBA, Masters of Marketing and Bachelor of Science from Newcastle University, and a Graduate Diploma of Corporate Governance and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kevin Young - Hunter Water Corporation

Kevin was appointed Managing Director on 19 July 2004 and is also a Director of Hunter Water Australia Pty Limited. Mr Young has extensive experience working in private consulting both in Australia and overseas and working for government utilities.

He has previously held a diverse range of positions at Hunter Water Corporation including Chief Operating Officer, Company Secretary, Manager Corporate Planning & Government Regulation and Manager Assets. Mr Young is the Deputy Chairperson of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and is Chairperson of WSAA's Asset Management Committee.

He is also a Director of Together Today, the Hunter Valley Research Foundation and a member of the Advisory Board for the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Newcastle.

Professor Tim Roberts, Director - Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment

Professor Roberts took up the position of Director, following the completion of his tenure as Dean of Research at JCU Singapore.  His previous tenure was as inaugural Dean of the Singapore campus of the University of Newcastle, Australia.

In line with his appointment as Conjoint Professor in Biology he continues to be active in research in the laboratory of his long-time collaborator, Associate Professor Hugh Dunstan, at the University of Newcastle. He has published over100 papers.

Peter Dormand - Newcastle City Council, Chair – Business Development Committee (2009 – current)

Sven Wright - DET, Chair Communication Committee (2010 - current)

John O'Hearn - Hunter Water Corporation, Chair – Finance and Audit Committee (2009 – current)