Raised on a King Country dairy farm and educated at a small primary school in the boonies…later went to boarding school at Hamilton Boys High School and Selwyn College for form 6 and 7.
My father invented a milk meter that measured productivity in individual dairy cows and became a revolutionary product for the dairy industry world-wide. This necessitated a move to Auckland where he set up Tru Test in a small factory in Marua Rd.
Gained a BA in political science and history at Auckland University and a Diploma in Export Marketing at ATI and embarked on a career in international marketing. Later gained an MBA from Auckland University.
My career started with Fletcher Steel in their export division and then as a territory manager and later marketing manager for Tru Test in the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Our family exited Tru Test in 1990 and for the next fourteen years I worked as an international development consultant for NZ technology companies mostly in North and South America; won the 1992 Exporter of the Year award for my efforts.
Too much travel and not enough time with family (married in Feb. 1986 – divorced Oct. 2010) led me to purchase Creative Awards in 2004 and I have this company to present.
I have two grown children, Sam and Olivia who both are pursuing successful careers. I have sponsored a young girl in a Mexican orphanage for the past three years. I enjoy playing golf (badly), tramping the great outdoors and travel. I joined St Johns Rotary in 2005 after an invitation from Beryl for a free cooked breakfast. I enjoy working with a fabulous group of people and especially organising and running the annual fund raising golf tournament.