Our people

GCIT Board

Ms Trina Hockley - Board Chair and Chair, Governance and Capital Works Committee
Trina is the Managing Director of the L&M group of companies. L&M is the premier provider of electrical appliances to the accommodation industry and has a strong commercial, rental and air conditioning operation on the Gold Coast. In 2011, Trina was appointed Chair of ON Q Human Resources, a not-for-profit employment service provider specialising in finding placements for job-seekers with disabilities. Trina is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and is an active Indigenous community volunteer.

Ms Adrienne Ward - Deputy Chair
As Government and Business Relations Advisor for Leighton Contractors, Adrienne has a solid background in corporate and Government strategy.  Adrienne has held significant roles in many large corporations including Accenture, Optus Vision and Westpac Banking Corporation. Among her many achievements, Adrienne was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 for distinguished service and achievement in business and commerce and is a former Telstra Business Woman of the Year award winner.

Mr Richard Munro - Chair, Remuneration and Nominations Committee
Richard has built a successful public accounting practice on the Gold Coast, providing services to a wide selection of clients in taxation, accounting, finance, management and computer systems.  Richard has been involved in a variety of professional and community organisations both on the Gold Coast and nationally.  Having recently completed his Graduate Diploma in Company Directorship Richard brings a wide knowledge of business and governance experience to the Board.

Ms Kellie Trigger - Chair, Staff, Student and Community Voice Committee
Kellie has a diverse background with experience in law, politics, social planning and cross Government projects.  Kellie previously worked as an executive officer with the Department of Communities South East Region, utilising her skills in governance, coordination and issues management across a broad portfolio of human services.  Kellie has recently accepted a position at General Practice Gold Coast as the Medicare Local Transition Program Manager.

Mr Richard Flanagan - Board member
Richard formed the electrical engineering and contracting company Richard Flanagan and Company Pty Ltd of which he was Managing Director in August 1987.  In September 2006 the company moved to become a Division of Pacific Services Group Pty Ltd and in 2011 changed its name to Richard Flanagan and Brothers.  Richard is committed to training and currently employs many electrical apprentices. Richard also taught the GCIT Electrical Contracting course part-time.

Ms Janelle Manders - Chair, Audit Finance and Risk Management Committee
As Managing Partner of HLB Mann Judd Accountants and Business Advisors, Janelle provides tax and business advice to a variety of Gold Coast businesses.  Janelle is involved with a variety of professional and community organisations and her areas of expertise are strategic planning, risk management, taxation, global business, governance and financial reporting.

Ms Lynette Turner - Board member
Lynette is currently the Director of National Care Solutions, an education, training and management consultancy specialising in aged and community care. Lynette has significant board experience including being Board member of the Community Services and Health Industry, Industry Skills Council and a member of the Aged Care Skills Formation Strategy Industry Reference Group. This Board experience has given her valuable expertise in the VET sector, particularly in building skills links with industry and in improving the skills profile of Queensland.

Mr Roger Du Blet AM - Board member
Roger's main vocational experience has been as Managing Director of Reduct Pty Ltd, a company focused on the building and development industry as an equity participant, a consultant and an adviser. His experience has offered him valuable insight into infrastructure development, its funding and the introduction of public/private infrastructure partnerships in Queensland. Roger has also held significant executive positions and he served 11 years as the private sector representative on the South East Queensland Regional Planning Committee. He has also chaired and been a member of a number of boards of companies and other entities including being a board member and the Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Education and Training Committee. He was also National and State President of the HIA and as a Member of the Board of the Banking Ombudsman. Roger was awarded the Order of Australia for successfully introducing private provision of public transport infrastructure to Queensland in the form of the Private Development of the Airtrain Citylink train service between the Brisbane Airport and the Gold Coast and for services to the Australian Housing Industry and for services to small business development in Australia.

Mr John Howe - Board member
John has an ongoing commitment to education via his roles as the inaugural and current Honorary Professor of Integrated Engineering in at Griffith University and as an Adjunct Professor in the Mirvac School of Sustainable Development at Bond University. Combined with his academic experience, John has over 30 years of business experience in the Development and Construction industry, during which he founded and developed his company Weathered Howe into a highly successful International Consulting group. Since the sale of Weathered Howe in 2005, John has consulted to International Companies such as Dubai Properties, Limitless Dubai, Limitless South East Asia and Hyder Consulting.   Currently, John operates three individual specialist companies within the John Howe Consulting Group. These companies are EEP-Event Engineering and Planning, IEDM-Integrated Engineering and Planning and JPI Imagineering. Through and subsequent to the ownership and development of his company, John has established a national and international reputation across a range of sectors including property, integrated tourism resorts and special events.
John has extensive Board experience in the public and private sector.  He is currently appointed Trustee of the Parklands Gold Coast Trust and has held Chair and Board positions including Gold Coast City Council Growth Management Advisory Board, the Premier of Queensland Export Committee and the Business Gold Coast Advisory Board.

Mr Brian Gabriel - Board member
Brian is currently the Managing Director of a large Gold Coast based construction company, Glenzeil Pty Ltd. His position provides him with direct links to trades, particularly in construction, and links to local industry. His senior position also offers insights into organisational planning and reform, and strategic and financial management. Brian has been involved in GCIT via training as an apprentice at GCIT in the late 1970's, through to his participation in an Industry Reference Group in 2008.

Mr Kieran Chilcott - Board member
Kieran is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Kalwun Health Service.  In this role he provides leadership, direction and coordinates the activities of the Kalwun Health Service in accordance with the vision, mission, objectives and policies, ensuring that the highest quality services are delivered. Prior roles held by Kieran include Indigenous Youth Support Coordinator for Wesley Mission Brisbane and Inclusion Support Facilitator for the Multicultural Communities Council. Kieran also has experience in the education sector as a teacher of English, Health and Behavioural Support. Kieran is an active member of the community and has chaired and been a member of a number of boards and committees.   His current roles include Inaugural Chairperson of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd Board of Directors; Non-Executive Director of the Queensland Aboriginal & Islander Health Council; ATSI representative of the Gold Coast Primary Care Partnership Council; Advisory Committee Member on the Benevolent Society Early Years Centre.

GCIT Executive Team

Aaron Devine - Chief Executive Officer
Kellie-Ann Robinson - Chief Marketing Officer
Gillian Flori - Executive Director, Organisational Capability
Lee Russell - Executive Director, Studies
Lee Aitken - Executive Director, Business Development and Student Services