BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Richard Pottie (Co-Chair)
Managing Director, Ladex Construction Group
Richard was born in Wagga Wagga and grew up on a property east of Ladysmith and attended Ladysmith Public school followed by Kooringal High School.
Richard joined the Committee 4 Wagga Board of Management in December 2019.
Richard commenced a carpentry apprenticeship upon leaving school which saw him move to Singleton before returning to Wagga Wagga and starting his own business in January 1987. Richard formed his first company in the July of that same year. Richard added earthmoving to his construction business in 1993 which we now know as Ladex (short for Ladysmith Excavations) Ladex currently employ 55 full time staff at their Bomen Office.
The Ladex Construction Group Management Team pride themselves on building positive, long term relationships with their clients. Ladex has completed works in NSW, VIC and the ACT. Their civil sector specialises in road works, bulk earthworks, detailed excavation and hydraulic installations, whilst their construction services range from sourcing land and all necessary approvals for developments, full design and engineering, Project Management, Contract Construction, to ongoing and preventative maintenance.
Richard also has part ownership and is a director of Wollundry Investment, Joint owner and Managing Director of Rocky Point Quarries and owner/developer of Junee Lifestyle Village. Richard is a life member of Apex, former Apex State President and National Board member for 4 years, past president and current director of Kooringal Rotary and current President and Board Member of the Riverine Club.
In Richard’s spare time he is also a farmer!
Samantha Beresford (Co-Chair)
General Manager - Levied and Emerging Industries, AgriFutures Australia
Sam Beresford was appointed to the Committee 4 Wagga Board in 2021 and is proud to serve as Co-Chair alongside Richard Pottie.
With a diverse career spanning mining, higher education, and agriculture, Sam brings deep experience in regional development and stakeholder engagement. She is currently General Manager, Levied and Emerging Industries at AgriFutures Australia, where she leads a team driving research investment and strategic partnerships across 13 levied industries and a range of emerging industries across the Agricultural sector.
A passionate advocate for the Riverina and regional Australia more broadly, Sam has held senior roles including Head of Government Relations and Regional Engagement at Charles Sturt University, where she strengthened partnerships across regional communities and influenced government and policy outcomes.
Sam and her partner also operate a successful Angus beef cattle enterprise in the Riverina, cementing her personal and professional commitment to the prosperity of the region.
Nick Abraham (Treasurer)
Executive Manager for the CBA Business Banking in Riverina
Nick Abraham is the Executive Manager for the CBA Business Banking in Riverina. Nick has been with CBA for over 11 years holding a number of positions within Business Banking across NSW and WA. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (M. Finance USYD).
Nick joined the Committee 4 Wagga Board of Management in December 2020.
Raised in country NSW, this is Nick’s second time living in Wagga, recently relocating from WA with his wife and 3 young children.
Nick’s interests outside of work include spending as much time as possible with his 3 young children, cricket, rugby union and skiing.
Peter Braneley (Secretary)
General Manager for Big Springs Water
Peter Braneley is the General Manager for Big Springs Water based in Wagga Wagga. Big Springs Water is a local family owned and operated business, with 30 team members delivering premium natural spring water to the Wagga, Griffith, Parkes and Canberra communities.
Peter joined the Committee 4 Wagga board in December 2022, having been an enthusiastic supporter of C4W since its inception and is committed to the Four Pillar principles that guide its strategic activities. He is a graduate of the inaugural C4W Emerging Leaders Program and is looking forward to using the skills and knowledge he gained as part of this program to contribute to the future success of C4W and Wagga Wagga’s amazing community.
In his spare time Peter is a passionate AFL supporter and enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends. Peter is the proud husband of Belinda and father to Marlee and Florence.
Brad Campbell
Customer Success Manager, Zetifi
Brad was born and raised in Wagga, attending Kooringal High School. Brad continued his studies in Information Technology at the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute in Wagga, where he formed strong relationships with like-minded tech students, teachers, and the wider community. Furthering Brad's community engagement, he volunteered with the ACS Foundation to assist with the running of their annual Big Day In event at Charles Sturt University in Wagga.
Brad's passion in telecommunications and technology has led to a career working for service providers and tech companies during exciting milestones. He’s now helping people stay better connected with innovative solutions for optimising cellular and UHF communications, working with a wide range of clients from consumers, SMBs, all the way through to corporate organisations.
Brad is now the Customer Success Manager at Zetifi, where he leads the customer service team and runs training sessions to support dealers and resellers with their product knowledge and sales. Zetifi is an Australian wireless company that designs and manufactures Smart Antennas for cellular and radio devices with market-leading design, quality, and performance. Optional onboard electronics link local devices to cloud platforms for telematics, telemetry, and safety. Zetifi was proudly founded in Wagga by Dan Winson, and their manufacturing and distribution takes place in Wagga.
Brad's connection to the Wagga community remains a central part of his personal and professional life, he’s passionate about contributing to the growth and success of the region. As a board member of Committee 4 Wagga, he is proud to help champion innovation, connectivity, and opportunity for the community he calls home. Outside work, Brad enjoys playing mixed social netball and photography.
Rebecca Hardy
General Manager, Enirgi Power Storage Recycling, CA
Rebecca is the General Manager at Enirgi Power Storage and joined the Committee 4 Wagga Board of Management in December 2020.
Born and raised in Albury, Rebecca completed her degree at Charles Sturt University and moved to Wagga Wagga in 1999.
Rebecca was previously the Financial Controller at Enirgi Power Storage and has over 20 years’ experience in financial management. Rebecca began her career with Cargill Beef Australia where she held numerous financial roles over a 13-year period before spending 4 years with Wagga Wagga City Council in a risk management capacity.
Rebecca is a member of CPA Australia, and enjoys camping, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Justeen Kirk
Founder & CEO, ISO Matters
Justeen is determined to see the Wagga community thrive. Moving to Wagga with her family in early 2017, she joined the Board of Management of the Committee for Wagga in December 2019 and was elected as Chair in December 2020. Under Justeen's direction, the Committee reimagined its vision and values to better align with community objectives.
In early 2022, juggling multiple personal and professional balls, Justeen stepped aside to allow a new Chair to provide the focus she knew the Committee deserved. Today, Justeen is thrilled to be able to commit her attention, time and energy to the Wagga community once again.
Justeen is the Founder & CEO of ISO Matters (formally Justeen Kirk Consulting), providing comprehensive business solutions for businesses looking to develop and implement management systems. Justeen is highly skilled in the areas of governance, frameworks and procedures, and her project management career aligns with the challenges Wagga faces. With a large pipeline of regional projects, Justeen will help the Committee maximise potential benefits for the people of Wagga.
Justeen's vision for Wagga is a prosperous and upskilled community with quality infrastructure that responds to local needs and attracts and retains new talent and residents.
Justeen joined the Committee 4 Wagga board of management in December 2023.
Rachael Sweeney
Founder of Collective Position
Moving to Wagga in her late high school years from coastal NSW, Rachael is a proud graduate of Trinity Senior High, she was also a Fox Street McDonalds Saturday shift alumni and CSU events wrangler.
Returning to Wagga in recent years from almost 20 years in Melbourne, where her business was born, she is also a past Vice President of Women in Business Wagga Wagga.
A big picture thinker Rachael is able to convert ideas and complicated issues into implementable, award-winning strategies and campaigns.
Working through various channels, Rachael has captured the attention of community, government and industry stakeholders. She has a proven ability to engage and motivate, while building working relationships that deliver real outcomes for her clients.
Rachael founded Collective Position, a government relations firm, in 2012 and has continued to oversee its growth and operations across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.
Prior to this she was the Strategic Communications Manager for two of Australia’s largest public infrastructure projects. She has also held senior consulting roles where she managed the government relation’s activities for various clients focused on regional development issues.
Rachael held a position on the Deakin University Academic Review Board (Public Relations) and was a regular guest lecturer at RMIT. She mentors young professionals including newly arrived refugees.
Rachael holds a Bachelor of Arts Public Relations (Honours) and has received national and state awards for excellence in her field.
Glenn Venables
Senior Relationship Manager, Westpac
Glenn has built a career in the Financial Services industry based on trust, strategy, and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow. As a Senior Relationship Manager, he brings not only financial expertise but a sharp instinct for identifying opportunities that drive long-term success for his clients.
After two decades in Sydney with a multinational asset management firm, Glenn relocated to the Riverina, returning to his roots in regional New South Wales—bringing global expertise to the dynamic landscape of regional Australia. Having grown up in the country, he understands the values, challenges, and opportunities that shape these communities.
His experience in the high-paced corporate environment of a major financial hub refined his strategic approach, while his passion now lies in applying that knowledge to drive meaningful outcomes for regional businesses and communities.
Glenn holds a Master of Applied Finance and advanced studies in Leadership and Management. Known for his straight-talking style, a knack for building meaningful connections, and just the right amount of dad-joke energy, Glenn takes pride in turning complex financial conversations into collaborative, solutions-focused partnerships.
A strong advocate for community engagement and mentorship, regularly supporting emerging leaders and volunteering his time with local business networks and sporting clubs. Glenn joined the Committee 4 Wagga Board in 2025.
Away from work, he enjoys as much time as possible with his wife, their two children, and third child - a British Bulldog.