Board of Directors

Annual Report 2014-15

Tourism Tasmania operates under the Tourism Tasmania Act 1996 and is governed by a board appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister.

James Cretan

As chair of the Tourism Tasmania Board, James oversees the agency's strategic direction and plays a significant role in communication with government and industry. He is an executive director and chair of Kriticos Nominees, a family company that owns and operates Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, Swansea Holiday Park, Shoreline Hotel and Tasmanian Collection Service. He is also a director and chair of the Plastic Fabrications Group, a manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of plastic and related products to the aquaculture and marine industry, and is an owner and director of Intuit Technologies, Tasmania's largest private ICT company. James was a director of TAFE Tasmania from 2004 and chair from January 2006 to May 2008 before becoming chair of The Skills Institute. James is also the chair of the board of The Friends School in Hobart.

John Fitzgerald

John is Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tasmania. He has had an extensive career in senior executive management positions in the tourism industry in Australia, having held positions at national, State/Territory and regional levels over the past 15 years, following a decade in the thoroughbred racing industry. Previous to his appointment at Tourism Tasmania, John held the position of CEO at Tourism NT following senior appointments in his native Queensland, including as CEO of Tourism Sunshine Coast. John's experience and contribution in the sector has extended to numerous board memberships and directorships including currently with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and previously through the NT Major Events Company, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and the national Indigenous Tourism Working Group.

Brett Torossi

Brett is the chair of Tourism Tasmania's Audit Finance and Risk Committee. She is founder, owner and managing director of New Ground Network. As a respected property developer and businesswoman, she focuses on creating and developing properties that are innovative, sustainable and commercially successful. Brett's other board appointments include: director, Wallis Watson Capital Ltd; director, Avalon Coastal Retreat Pty Ltd; director, Tasmanian Development Board; non-singing director, The Festival of Voices; chair, Tasmanian Heritage Council; trustee, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; chair, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Audit Committee; chair, Tasmanian Cultural Policy Steering Group and director of the National Board of Creative Partnerships Australia.

Simon Currant

Simon is the visionary and developer behind some of Tasmania's and Australia's most celebrated tourism experiences including Cradle Mountain Lodge, Franklin Manor, Strahan Village, Gordon River Cruises, Peppermint Bay, Hobart Cruises and his latest venture, a wilderness retreat within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Pumphouse Point. In 2010, Simon was appointed the inaugural chairman of the Tourism Quality Council of Australia (TQCA). Simon has been chairman of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania since 2000 and is a former long-term director of TT-Line. A Churchill Fellow, he was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 and was also named Tasmanian of the Year in 2004. In 2006, Simon was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community and the Tasmanian tourism industry. Simon consults both nationally and internationally, providing expert advice in operations, new destination evaluation, market evaluation and product concept development.

Dallas Newton

Dallas Newton runs a tourism consultancy advising on sales, marketing and distribution strategies for Australian operators with global distribution. He previously owned and was managing director of APT Day Tours in Sydney and Melbourne. Prior to that, Dallas was the director of Sales and Marketing with APT Pacific Touring from 2001 to 2006. Dallas holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from RMIT. He has held positions on the Tourism Australia, Western Hemisphere Market Advisory Board; Tourism Australia, Indian Market Advisory Board (2011); and Victoria University Program Advisory Committee Marketing Faculty as well as formal board positions on APT and AATKings. Dallas is currently a member of Tourism Tasmania's Audit Finance and Risk Committee.

Kate Vale

Kate has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning twenty years in some of the most prestigious digital environments in the world. As managing director of Spotify for Australia and New Zealand, Kate heads up all aspects of the business for the region, managing a team of 17 in Sydney. Prior to joining Spotify, Kate was Google's first regional hire as head of sales for Australia and New Zealand before moving to YouTube in 2009.

Michelle Cox

Michelle is the chief operating officer of marketing communications agency group Bastion. Entering 20 years of leadership, Michelle has a demonstrated track record in growing returns across Australia, Asia Pacific and global markets. With multi-national experience in marketing, communications, travel and tourism, Michelle applies entrepreneurial thinking to find creative solutions for her clients. Previous appointments include managing director Asia Pacific for STA Travel and general manager of marketing for the APT Group. Michelle has held executive and board appointments including executive director – Bastion EBA, chairman Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) – Northern Territory; deputy chair, Central Australian Tourism Industry Association (CATIA) and director Asia Pacific London with STA Global Leadership Board.

Kimberly Seagram

Kimberly Seagram is co-owner and co-developer of the award-winning Stillwater Restaurant and

Providore and the Black Cow Bistro in Launceston. She has served as deputy chair of Brand Tasmania, and chair of the Launceston, Tamar and the North Zone Marketing Group amongst other board positions. Kim and her husband owned and operated Lalla Gully Vineyard and she held the position of marketing director of Vineyards Association of Tasmania for over a decade. Prior to living in Tasmania, Kim held a number of positions in the Canadian tourism industry in operations, sales and promotion.

< Previous | Contents | Next >