Director Candidate Statements
*Denotes current member of the Board of Directors
*Richard Foda BEc (Sydney), CA, GAICD, RMIA, CCRO
I am proud to serve as one of your directors on the Parramatta Leagues Club Limited board. Our club’s strategic plan includes exciting new places to meet, improvements to the dining experiences you can have and renovations to the places we already love at Parra Leagues, Vikings and Dural. During my 30 year career I have led businesses to ensure quality outcomes for members and customers and strategic growth for the owners. I use this experience to support our club as a member of the Audit and Community Committees and chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee. I have worked within these teams to protect you when you visited us during COVID, ensure we manage our risks and give you memorable experiences now and into the future. I would be honoured to receive your vote to continue serving you, our members and the communities we live in.
Luke Magee BEc, MBA, GAICD
Luke Magee is a multi-disciplined individual with vast experience across Industry and Boards. He holds positions in Executive roles and current Directorship includes President of Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, Board member of Stadium Australia Club (Accor Stadium) and The Parramatta College. Luke is an accomplished business owner, Director of Chill IT, head office in Sydney Olympic Park. He continuously deals with complex requirements of SMEs, multinational corporations and Government department’s delivering innovative and industry best practice solutions. Luke’s formal qualifications include BEc, MBA, GAICD. Luke is passionate about community and an Eels fan, and his business acumen and wealth of experience across governance, revenue, stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and effective management is consistently delivered with integrity. Luke is ready and willingly to effectively contribute to the success of Parramatta Leagues Club and offers a unique skillset and knowledge base to play a pivotal role and invaluable addition as a Director.
Bill Richards JP MBA FIML FCPHR
A 20 year military career, served in Vietnam. Player No 259 with Parramatta Eels. Graded First Grade, 1968. National Service mid-way through 1968. Since 2019, I have been the President and Director of the Blue and Gold Alliance Pty Ltd, organisation of former players and officials. My extensive business experience in a variety of industry sectors, include interim MD appointments & Company Director, with a number of multinational companies, have equipped me well to fulfill the duties expected of a Director of Parramatta Leagues Club Ltd. I meet the Eligibility Criteria in Article 9.3 of the Company’s Constitution. I feel I can bring an independent judgment to bear on issues before the Board and to act in the best interests of the Company and its members. I am committed, as per Article 6.7 of the Company’s Constitution to abide by and carry out the duties required of an individual Director.
David Zaiter MIAust CPEng NER RPEQ VBA-EC NSW Fair Trading Design Practitioner
I am a Chartered Professional Engineer and Design Practitioner in Civil/Structural/Façade with over 17years of experience, and currently Managing Director of a successful business, ZAIT Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd. I have worked closely and collaborated with communities and constituents on major projects, with over Billion Dollars in budget associated with Licenced Clubs, Casinos and Hotels . I am very dedicated and motivated that all milestones are achieved and fulfilled to the highest standard. I am a loving husband and blessed with 3 beautiful children, involved in Junior Rugby League within the Parramatta District. I have lived in Parramatta all my life, graduated from Parramatta Marist High School in 2001. I have supported the Eels and attended our leagues club since I can remember and would love nothing more to make this CLUB GREAT AGAIN!
Stephen Spence
I am a lifelong passionate Parramatta supporter and a proud 21-year Perpetual Member. With over 25 years as a Chartered Accountant, I worked at Arthur Andersen in Audit for 8 years. I have over 16 years finance and operational experience in Casino’s and have held a number of Senior Finance roles including CFO for The Star (overseeing 4 Casino properties) and 8 years as the Executive in charge of the International VIP Business. I held Key Employee Casino Licences across 3 jurisdictions, Liquor Licences and Board Position’s (Tabcorp Staff Superannuation Fund and the HSV Owners Club of NSW). I understand the importance of Risk, Internal Controls and Strong Governance and bring a wealth of relevant industry knowledge and experience. I am seeking election for the first time and look forward to being able to apply that Industry knowledge and experience in order to make a positive contribution to our Club.
Stan Kriaris
By way of introduction my name is Stan Kriaris, I am current PLC member, long-time supporter and former sponsor of the Parramatta Eels Rugby League team. My professional background includes running my own business for 37 years (AAA Tyres) servicing Parramatta region. I am currently Company Director of multiple companies. My business has given me opportunity to become actively involved in supporting the wider Parramatta sporting community, Parramatta Junior League & PCYC and local Charities including Lifeline, Westmead Children’s Hospital, PCYC Parramatta & the Stand Tall foundation to name a few. I enjoy meeting new people, have a passion for rugby league, developing strong business relationships and enjoy new challenges that life presents. I believe with my extensive business knowledge, professional networks and personal relationships I have developed within and across the Parramatta CBD and Region enables me to make a very valuable contribution to the Parramatta Leagues Club Board.
Tony Beuk
Being a Parra supporter for over 45 years, I am seeking election, with your support, to the Board of the Leagues Club that is instrumental to the future of not only the Leagues Club, but our Football Club. My strong Board experience in Clubs, other Community organisations, State and local governments, as well as my corporate governance and stakeholder management experience, allows me to provide a positive contribution to the Board and support a strategy that will provide the club, and its members, a strong future. As a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors, I understand the discipline and the importance of maintaining rigor in the duties of a Director to ensure that we uphold the expectations of members in undertaking our responsibilities as a director. I am seeking your support, your Vote, at this election of Directors to the Board.
*Darren Adam B.Com, LLM (Taxation Law), CA, MAICD
I have been privileged to serve members for 3 years as a current Board member, including chairing the Audit Committee and as a member of the Risk and Property Committees. I am Finance Director at the NRMA, a director of Fair Fight Foundation and have previously held senior executive roles at Foxtel, Optus & Telstra. I am proud of our achievements – navigating two unprecedented closures during COVID while remaining profitable, reducing debt and now delivering some of the strongest returns in club history. We have responded to member feedback with major investments creating new casual lounge and dining areas and further services through the amalgamation with Dural Country Club. I am a lifetime Eels supporter, member of Parra Leagues for over 30 years and am passionate about our future success. I would be honoured to continue serving members and also endorse the re-election of Richard Foda & Joy Cusack.
*Joy Cusack MPA (Sydney), GAICD, FGIA
I am privileged to be a current Board Member of Parramatta Leagues having been appointed through a selection process by the Government appointed Administrator. Members are my passion demonstrated by current site improvements. I am a long time supporter of the Parramatta Eels. I have a Masters in Corporate Affairs, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Governance Institute, member of the Chartered Governance Institute, member of Women on Boards contributing to more than 20 years in corporate and community organisations. As Chair of the PLC Governance Committee it’s been an honour to use my skills and experience in improving PLC’s governance especially the current and growing complex area of Clubs. Am an Audit Committee member. I have lived in the Parramatta area for more than 45 years. In the interests of maintaining harmony and stability I endorse the election of Richard Foda and Darren Adam.
Rob Kennaugh
Rob is an experienced Director and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Rob has served on the Boards of Australian Health Management (ahm), Sydney Credit Union and Chaired a number of community service organisations in a volunteering capacity. Rob is a passionate Eels Supporter, having played rugby league for Marist Brothers Parramatta and spent many hours supporting the Parra Eels teams in the 70’s/80’s till current day. Rob’s father was a founding member of the Parramatta Leagues Club. Rob is currently the Executive Director at icare and has successfully performed senior leadership roles at the Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, and Origin Energy. Rob has written a best-selling book on Parenting called “Family Magic” and is happily married to Cathy for 29 years with 3 wonderful children.
Mike Barry EMPA, B.Bus(Acct), FIIA, CFE
Mike grew up in Northmead and attended Parramatta Marist. He has chaired Parramatta City Council’s Audit and Risk Committee and been an independent member of similar committees in Hawkesbury and Mosman Councils and the Archdiocese of Broken Bay. Mike’s career spans the private and public sectors including Federal, State and Local Governments, Statutory Authorities, Not for Profits, commercial businesses, central banking and commercial banking. He has 35 years’ governance, risk management and audit experience across Australia, London and New York including Chief Audit Executive and Head of Governance roles in six large NSW Government Departments. Now retired and enjoying 11 grandkids, Mike has continued his Non-Executive Director role with a global Not for Profit and has become a frontline volunteer for the Manning Foundation delivering assistance to the needy in the Parramatta region.
