Our People
After 33 years in the electricity supply industry Neil left the position of Engineering Manager to come to Greenacres as Chief Executive Officer in 1996. Since then he led the organisation and has actively campaigned and lobbied with both the State and Federal funding bodies to build stronger partnerships in service provision and to provide additional funding to meet the growing unmet need for the sector.
He has been on the NDS State Committee since or 1998 and was chairperson of this Committee for 4 years and on the National Board of NDS for 4 years. He is currently the Chair of the NSW NDS Ageing and Disability Subcommittee and is a member of the NDS National Committees on ‘Disability Enterprises’ and ‘Ageing and Disability’.
Neil holds a Bachelor of Science (Tech) in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science in Operations Research, and Post Graduate Diploma in Management and has had a wealth of practical experience in working with and co-operating with his fellow man and within his local community.
Grant started at Greenacres as Manager, Independent Living Centre in 1992 and has 24 years experience in service coordination and senior management in the disability sector working in accommodation support, day and recreation services for both government and non-government based programs. Grant holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in psychology and post graduate training in management as well as 13 years experience working as a part time TAFE teacher in Disability Work. Grant is the current Chair for the NDS National Social Participation Committee and has been the past chair of the NDS NSW Social Participation Sub-committee.
Ron de Jongh the Chief Financial Officer joined Greenacres in June 2009. In his role Ron manages and has accountability for the financial affairs of the organisation. Ron is also responsible for Quality, Risk Management, Fund Raising and Information Technology. Having completed his business studies in the Netherlands he started his career as a chartered accountant. Ron immigrated to Australia in 1987 and has held various finance, corporate services and business development roles in local government, construction, the University of Wollongong and health insurance and health services. A senior executive with more than 20 years experience locally and in South East Asia, Ron holds a Masters of Business Administration and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Originally from finance and accounting background Tom’s first venture into the Disability Field was in 1990 taking on a senior role with a local disability service in Wollongong.
Following 10 years with that organisation Tom worked for Disability Services Australia based at Bankstown and later Redfern, managing both a factory environment and “enclave” settings.
Tom joined Greenacres in August 2006 and currently has responsibility for the operations in our three factories, sales and marketing, RTW and OH&S and management of our fleet of vehicles.
Tom is a member of the NDS NSW Sub Committee for Australian Disability Enterprises.
Susan joined Greenacres Disability Services in 1999, she has qualifications in Social Work and Management; Susan has been employed in the disability field and various related positions at a senior level over the past forty two years.
Susan has worked for the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services (Disability and Aboriginal Development); as a Programming and Training Co-ordinator at the Handicapped Children’s Centre of NSW – Sylvanvale; as a Social Planner in Environmental Services and Social Worker and Youth Worker at Sutherland Shire Council; Community Youth Support Scheme Manager for the Commonwealth Government and Community Development Manager for the first Vietnamese Refugees who migrated to Australia.
Susan’s primary areas of interest while at Greenacres have been the development of services for people with a disability who are ageing (Susan was Chairperson of the NDS National Ageing and Disability Committee for two years), the development of services for Aboriginal children at risk of leaving school and the development of a Mental Health Support Program for employees of Greenacres ADE.
Aleta commenced with Greenacres Disability Services in August 2010. Aleta has over 14 years experience in the disability sector in both state and federal funded services and over 10 years experience in service management, particularly in open employment services for people with Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability. Prior to joining the disability sector Aleta worked in Hospitality management and her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Masters of Arts (Psychology).
