GREAT Staff
Brian Arnold, GREAT General Manager
Brian has 25 years’ experience in economic development with a very strong focus in Indigenous enterprise development.
Brian hopes to establish GREAT as a world class economic development organisation by creating unique and leading-edge projects.
His ultimate goal is to make sure GREAT is financially sustainable and will be providing its services for decades to come.
Prior to his appointment with GREAT Brian was the CEO of the Australian Industry Engineering & Manufacturing Network (AIEMnet).
Previously to that Brian was the CEO of the North Queensland Small Business Development Centre and was in the role for 4 years.
Gene Geedrick, Business Advisor
I was born and raised in Central Queensland and have spent most of my working life in Townsville North Queensland. I am Aboriginal on my father side with my Aboriginal ancestry from the Darumbal people of Central Queensland mainly around the coastal town of Yeppoon. My late father was one of the few Aboriginal soldiers who served in World War 2, Korea, Vietnam and the Malaysian Conflict. My late Mother was Japanese who came from the village of Ondo near Hiroshima.
I have extensive experience in assisting Indigenous people into business as well as supporting Indigenous organisations to grow and expand. My previous work history is also extensive and includes Business, Finance, Training, Industry and Community Development.
Jan Pool, Chief Financial Officer
Mrs Pool is an experienced non-executive director with a strong commitment to corporate governance and financial sustainability of not-for-profit and community-based organisations. She has extensive directorship experience, having served on numerous boards, board committees and advisory committees. These organisations include public unlisted and ASX listed, not-for-profit and charitable, Queensland Government Statutory Body and privately owned/managed. Providing a solid foundation to the role of a director, Mrs Pool has over 30 years’ experience as a senior finance and commercial executive and company secretary across a diverse range of industry sectors, including mining and refining, financial, legal and health services and marine construction.
Deidre Harris, Accountant
Deidre transferred over to GREAT following working as accountant for ADBT from October 2020. She is a Certified Practicing Accountant with a Batchelor of Business from the Queensland University of Technology with many years’ experience in public practice, not for profit and in commercial industries. Including senior accounting positions in civil construction, pubs, clubs, accommodation, mining, manufacturing, not for profit businesses, small business accounts, taxation and auditing. Deidre grew up in Western Queensland and has a strong relationship with the land, animals and its people. She is presently working for GREAT in a virtual office from home.
Julia Collings, Bookkeeper
Julia transferred over to GREAT after working officially for ADBT since 1 December 2021. Prior to 1 December 2021, Julia attended to the book keeping duties for ADBT through MCB Financial Management Services for over 10 years. Current client work with GREAT includes Doomadgee Roadhouse, Normanton Traders, Gulf Labour Hire & Bidunggu Enterprises. In the past, Julia has attended to the bookkeeping services for other ADBT loan recipients.
Along with years of experience as a Bookkeeper, Julia has achieved her Advancing Diploma of Accounting and Diploma of Accounting through Open Colleges.
Prior to working for MCB Financial Management Services, Julia worked for Westpac Banking Corporation for over 7 years.
