John Ritchie

Chairman

John Ritchie is a second generation fisherman who commenced fishing fulltime in 1970. He became a GFC shareholder in 1976, was elected to the board in 1991 and served as Vice Chairman from 2001 until 2009. In 2009 he was appointed Chairman.

John brings with him much experience from his involvement with various organisations in the fishery. He is a current member of the Geraldton Professional Fishermen’s Association. He has also served as a member on the Abrolhos Island Management Advisory Committee and was chairman of the Southern Group Carrier Boat Company for 10 years.

Darren Bailey

Vice Chairman

Darren Bailey is a third generation fisherman and has fished in the A and B zones for since 1997. He has been a member of the board since 2007, appointed vice chairman in 2009.

Darren brings broad experience with an Accounting Degree, having practiced full-time in both Geraldton and Perth. He is Chairman of the GFC finance committee. Darren has been treasurer of the Geraldton Professional Fishermen's Association as well as the newly formed Wallabi Group Body Corporate, together with being a director of the Wallabi Carting Company for over nine years.

Basil Lenzo

Director

Basil Lenzo has been a skipper, owner and investor in the industry for over 20 years. He became a shareholder in 2004 and a member of the board in 2007. Basil brings with him strong business and investment experience and is currently completing an MBA. He is a member of the GFC Finance Committee.

Basil has been a representative for the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee, and the new Fisheries Industry Advisory Committee to the Minister.

Phil Miragliotta

Director

Phil Miragliotta is a third generation fishermen and his father was one of the original Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative board members and a long serving chairman. Phil has been a shareholder since 1974 and joined the board as a Director in October 2001.

Phil is an active member in the fishing community and is a member and past Treasurer of the Geraldton Professional Fishermen's Association. He is also a member of the GFC Audit and Risk Committee..

John Newby

Director

John Newby had been a fisherman for over 38 years in all three zones of the Western Rocklobster Fishery. He has been a shareholder since 1975 and a member of the board since 1992. From 1993 until 1999 John was vice Chairman and from 2001 until 2009, John was chairman of the board.

John takes a particular interest in the financial and international marketing side of the Cooperative and brings with him a vast knowledge from his other industry related endeavours. John was a director of WAIFIC and Chairman of the WAIFIC Research & Development Sub-committee, as well as a past member of the Abrolhos Islands Land management Committee. John is also a representative for both the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee and the Western Rock Lobster Council and a member of the Geraldton Professional Fishermen's Association.

Ian Willock

Director

Ian Willock has been a fisherman for the Co-operative since 1992 with interests in both A and B zones. Ian became a GFC shareholder in 1993, and was elected to the board in 2009.

Ian brings with him an extensive background in business having run his own successful retail outlet. Ian was Deputy Chairman of West Coast Radio Pty Ltd for 20 years, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Ian serves on GFC’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Geoff Sherwin

Independent Director

Geoff Sherwin has been an independent director since July 2001. He contributes a strong finance background, having been Deputy National Manager for Bird Cameron chartered accountants until 1995 where he was exposed to several different co-operative organisations.

Geoff has provided professional financial advice to private enterprise over the past 40 years. As well as being a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Geoff is a strong community supporter and has been involved in several non-profit organisations such as the Arthritis foundation of W.A.

Geoff is a trustee of the Fogarty foundation and is currently the Chairman of the ECU Resources for Learning Ltd. In addition he is also a Private Capital Executive for the Churchill Group of Companies. He currently chairs GFC’s Audit Committee, and is a member of the Finance Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.