Grant Cassidy, Chair

Grant Cassidy is the owner/operator of several accommodation venues in Rockhampton. He is also a member of the Board of Tourism Queensland and the Governing Council for Central Queensland University. Grant has a strong background in marketing and administration having been involved in the operation and management of a number of radio stations throughout the Central Queensland Region.

Noel Landry, Senior Vice Chair

Noel Landry is Chief Executive Officer for Beef Australia, one of the region’s largest Expo organisers, hosting the tri-annual Beef Expo and Horse Expo. Noel has previous expo and event experience with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Royal Easter Show and Brisbane Goodwill Games and is passionate about staging quality events in the Capricorn region.

Scott McCartney, Vice Chair

Scott McCartney is operates Specialty Travel and Auto Travel in Rockhampton and is a 4th generation ‘Central Queenslander’ with strong rural links and a passion for the region. Scott has been involved with the local tourism organisation in Rockhampton for some time.

Michelle Comley, Treasurer

Michelle Comley is the owner/operator of Budget Car Rentals Rockhampton & Gladstone. Michelle’s family has been operating the Budget Franchise in Gladstone for 28 years and in Rockhampton for 10 years. Michelle also holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a qualified CPA accountant. Michelle loves promoting our local area and all the attractions that bring visitors to Central Queensland.

Ken Kayes

Ken is a joint owner of Aradon & Mt Hay Gemstones, a popular tourist attractions and fossicking park on the outskirts of Rockhampton. The Kayes family have been long standing members of the tourism organisations in Central Queensland since the 1970’s.

Paul is co-owner of Emu’s Beach Resort in beautiful Emu Park. Paul is an active member of the local tourism industry, and is particularly passionate about growing the backpacker market in Central Queensland.

Justin Boydell

Justin Boydell is General Manager of Capricorn Resort Yeppoon and has extensive experience in the hotel industry in Australia and New Zealand. Justin has also worked in the past for Bass Hotels (now IHG) and spent 10 years working for SPHC in Australia and Indonesia.

Peter Brown

Peter Brown has been mining on the Central Queensland Sapphire fields for 30 years and operated the Rubyvale Gem Gallery for the last 18. He has been a member of the Small Miners Association committee, Queensland Sapphire Miners Association committee, Gemfields Community Association committee and president of the Gemfields Progress Association. Peter is passionate about seeing the tourism potential of Central Queensland is fulfilled.

Heather Peirano

Heather Peirano is a long standing member of the Rockhampton business community and former board member of the local tourism organisation. Heather holds various business and insurance related qualifcations and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Management.

Cr Gail Nixon

Gail Nixon is the nominee for the Central Highlands Regional Council, coming from Springsure – near Carnarvon Gorge.

Cr Greg Belz

Greg Belz is the nominee for Rockhampton Regional Council. Greg who served on the board for several years, over two seperate terms has a clear wareness on the tourism industry and benefits tourism brings to the local community. Greg also has experience working with the QLD Department of Tourism, Regional Development & Industry.

Tony Cullen

Tony Cullen has extensive sales & marketing experience in the hotel industry and was recently General Manager for the Rockhampton local tourist organisation. Tony brings first-hand knowledge of the events markets and how they benefit the region.

Waren O’Leary

Warren O’Leary is co-owner of the Rainforest Ranch B&B in popular Byfield, on the Capricorn Coast. Warren has a background in tourism with other businesses on the coast and is a member of the Byfield local Tourism Advisory Group.