Meet Our Executive Committee
Des Hodgetts
President
Elected as Business Northwest president in September 2026, Des is a project manager with advanced diploma qualifications and a wide spectrum of experience in managing diverse projects and teams, large capital programs, and contract and contractor management. Des possesses extensive knowledge in project management, financial management, and business planning and development, with over 20 years’ experience in these fields. He has held PM roles with GHD, NT Department of Infrastructure, Taswater, Rare Innovation, Johnson Design and Shaw Contracting. Des has delivered a number of major public & private development projects and some smaller property development opportunities.
A former Burnie City Council alderman, Des has an excellent understanding of local government & government environments. He’s a current member of the Burnie City Council CBD Urban plan working group, providing input on the future advancement of our city, and is former chairman of Advance Burnie. Des’s ownership of Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park from 1997 – 2004, along with Stanley Hotel, provides him with a background in tourism.
Veronica Terry
VP / Secretary
With over 15 years of experience in finance and financial planning and 12 years farming, Veronica brings knowledge and expertise to her role on Business Northwest’s executive. She holds a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and certification as an Economic Developer. Veronica enjoys supporting businesses in the Burnie and Waratah Wynyard region.
Living and farming vegetables and grains in the Burnie City Council area, Veronica understands the local community and its economic landscape. Her unique blend of agricultural experience and finance allows her to offer valuable insights and support to businesses and Business Northwest to enhance their growth and success in our vibrant region.
Antony Dry
VP / treasurer
Ant joined Business Northwest as treasurer in 2020. Born in Zimbabwe, he immigrated to Australia in 2007, becoming a citizen in 2009. In Zimbabwe, he was involved in the motor trade for many years, ending up as the CFO and part owner of several motor franchises, one of which was Mercedes Benz. He is a chartered accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also vice chair of the Respect Group Limited, which owns over 20 aged care facilities in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria. He is chairperson and acting general manager of the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden (winners of the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards as a tourist attraction).
Cyndia Hilliger
Executive member
Cyndia Hilliger has been involved in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. With her husband, Cyndia owns and manages a retro-styled seaside motel in Wynyard Tasmania. They developed Tasmania’s first luxury shipping container accommodation: the Coastal Pods in Wynyard.
Cyndia has been a member of the Business Northwest executive team for several years and has undertaken management of a number of projects in that time, including Renew Burnie, Sensing Table Cape and several pop-up urban activations. She is also chair of the regional tourism organisation WXNW, sits on the boards of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, and is a committee member of the Cradle Coast Regional Economic Development Committee. She is a member of the Urban Renewal Preference group for the Burnie CBD and is a passionate advocate for the tourism and hospitality industry, great customer service and creating urban places that promote psychological wellbeing.
Ian Jones
Executive member
Ian was first elected as Business Northwest president in 2018 after serving as our secretary/vice president for four years. After serving as president for eight years, Ian stepped down in September 2026 to focus on his Clean Energy Tasmania and TCCI roles.
After a 30 year career in the Point-of-Sale industry culminating in being GM Asia Pacific for a large Canadian software company Ian retired back to Burnie in 2012 and was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2022 for services to his community. Ian is involved in community organisations in regional development, workforce readiness and veterans’ affairs.
Ian became a director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI), representing the north west region, in 2022 and was willingly seconded to the Policy Committee. In late 2023, Ian was selected as the inaugural chair of Clean Energy Tasmania (CET), a working group under the TCCI banner. CET is the peak body for renewable energy project proponents in Tasmania, and its members have approximately $25B of projects in varying stages of development. Ian is passionate about the enormous potential renewables have for the region and is often seen in the media advocating for this exciting business sector.
Giovanna Simpson
Executive member
Giovanna is the current Deputy Mayor of Burnie and has been working full-time as a youth worker for 18 years. Giovanna has been a small business owner for over 22 years and is passionate about supporting young people and their families so they are able to live, work and play in their community. Giovanna also works alongside many charitable organisations and sits on a variety of boards and committees.
Dennis Austin
executive member
Dennis Austin is a retired accountant and a current director of a number of enterprises, including Coastal Caravans run by his son Trent and Store N More Storage Units at Somerset and Round Hill. He also runs a property group. Dennis has been a member of the Burnie Chamber of Commerce (now Business Northwest) since 1989. He is currently President of Caravanning Tasmania.
Dennis has a passion for community endeavours and mentoring, mainly up-and-coming business folk, where he can offer some assistance. He sees great value in networking and encourages younger people to get involved in community activities.
Dennis is a passionate advocate for Burnie and surrounds and loves his city.
Josh Whiteley
Executive member
Josh is an experienced project management consultant with a demonstrated history of managing complex infrastructure and construction projects across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and holds qualifications in project management and building and construction.
Josh is passionate about helping the community through the development and management of social infrastructure to better support those who need it.
Warren Ferrari
Executive member
Warren Ferrari is CEO of NDA Training Tasmania and an experienced Tasmanian leader with more than two decades of experience across business, government, education, employment and community sectors.
His career has focused on workforce development, vocational education and training, strategic partnerships and organisational growth, working closely with employers, industry and government to strengthen workforce capability and create opportunities for Tasmanians.
Prior to joining NDA, Warren was State Manager at Mas National, where he led Tasmania’s Apprenticeship Support Services and helped achieve the highest apprenticeship completion outcomes in Australia.
Warren is passionate about supporting Tasmanian businesses to grow, developing the skills and capability of our workforce, and building strong partnerships between industry, education, government and community.
He is a strong advocate for Tasmania and the opportunities that come from connecting people, business and industry to support sustainable economic and regional growth.
Alan Bradford
Executive member
Bio to be confirmed.
Craig Brakey
Executive member
Bio to be confirmed.
