The 2008 Rising Stars Judges
Michael Manford, Executive Chairman, Patersons Securities Limited.
AS executive chairman and CEO of Paterson Securities Ltd, one of Australia's largest independently owned, full-service stockbroking firms, Michael Manford is a highly regarded industry practitioner, with more than 25 years' experience in all facets of the finance industry.
Mr Manford joined Patersons in 1979 and was appointed executive director in 1985, managing director in 1991 and executive chairman in 1994.
He has had a strong association with the Australian Securities Exchange, having held a variety of professional positions including chairman of Patersons Asset Management in 2007.
Mr Manford is currently a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, master stockbroking member of the Securities & Derivatives Industry Association, and a senior fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.
Dean Hely, Partner, Lavan Legal
DEAN Hely has more than 18 years' experience working in reconstructions, insolvency and commercial litigation.
He has worked on numerous major company reconstructions including the most recent merger between StateWest Credit Society Ltd and Home Building Society Ltd.
He acts for a number of major insolvency accountants in their capacity as receivers and managers, administrators and liquidators.
Mr Hely was admitted as a partner in November 1999 and is the deputy managing partner of Lavan Legal.
He is a member of the Insolvency and Reconstruction sub-committee of the Law Society of Western Australia, the Insolvency Practitioners Association of Australia and the Australian Institute of Credit Management.
Martin Whittle, Director of Sales, Austereo Perth
MARTIN Whittle has worked in the advertising industry for more than 30 years.
During this period he has been the marketing manager and sales director for PMFM, sales manager for Australian Posters, and marketing manager and sales director for Mix 94.5.
He was heavily iinvolved in the launch of both PMFM and Mix 94.5.
Mr Whittle is responsible for a team of 33 people who work with advertising agencies and direct clients.
Dan Donovan, Regional Executive WA Business Banking, BNZA
DAN Donovan is regional executive of BNZA Business Banking in Western Australia, having joined the bank in Perth in 1984.
Mr Donovan has been directly involved in the banking and finance Industry for more than 30 years both in Australia and overseas.
For the past 17 years, his emphasis has been on relationship management of large private companies and public companies.
The business activities of those companies has ranged across the oil and gas service sector, manufacturing, engineering, mining services, labour hire firms, property investment and developments services, wholesale distribution, export and related trade finance of diverse products and services.
Wendy Casey, Chief Executive, Australian Heritage Group
WENDY Casey has extensive experience in the Australian equities market, having acted as head of research for a Perth-based share broking firm.
Her experience encompasses identifying growth opportunities within the industrial sector.
Ms Casey has an in-depth knowledge of equity valuations, having developed the Valuation and Analysis unit for the University of Wales MBA program.
In addition to this work, she has lectured for Finsia during the past several years and has given numerous presentations for the ASX Investor hour.
Ms Casey was previously a director of DJ Carmichael Pty Ltd.
Con Bochrinis, General Manager Workers' Compensation, Jardine Lloyd Thompson
CON Bochrinis has 20 years' experience in the insurance and risk management industry, with both major insurance brokers and underwriters, working in the Perth insurance market.
He has been involved in the placement of insurance programs for major national and international companies with complex reinsurance and risk management requirements.
He has extensive experience in safety and claims management and has consulted to corporate and government clients on a variety of legal and business process matters.
Mr Bochrinis' experience in workers' compensation is market leading and his qualifications in occupational safety and health are key ingredients in a successful workers' compensation strategy.
