Trustee Profile

David Bulley Chairman David Bulley is a chartered electrical engineer with over 40 years in the electricity supply industry, both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. His expertise lies mainly in business development, marketing and as general manager of Bay of Plenty Electricity (now Bay of Plenty Energy) until his retirement in 2005. David is a strong advocate for the energy efficiency work being undertaken by the Trust and its subsidiary, Energy Options, having been involved in energy efficiency initiatives in both the industrial and residential homes sectors in the UK, where he was born and educated. With his wife Anne, David emigrated to New Zealand and Ohope in 1995. He is actively involved in the community as a member of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Development Board and as a mentor for the Business Mentors of New Zealand.  David is a past president of the Eastern Bay Triathlon and Multisport Club, has served on the excecutive of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce and is a former member of the Ohope Community Board - from which he resigned to take up the Trustee position. David's sports interests include triathlons and playing golf. David holds one of the two appointed Trustee positions.
Kevin Hennessy Deputy Chairman Born and raised in Opotiki, Kevin is the elected representative for the Opotiki District. Kevin is a well-known personality within the Opotiki community.  He has owned and managed the        Blue-moon Four Square in Opotiki for the past 32 years, has been a volunteer fire-fighter for 33 years and has been involved with the IHC.  Kevin is also well-known in the rugby world, holding positions such as President of the NZ WASPS RFC 2000-2002, and as a former board member of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.
Brian Ponting Brian was born and educated in England, where he obtained his City and Guilds Certificate in Electrical Engineering. He moved with his wife and five children to Kawerau in 1964 and subsequently became a qualified automotive engineer.  Brian worked for the Kawerau District Council as a mechanic, but since his retirement, has been busier than ever with various community involvements.  He is the current Treasurer of the Kawerau Lion's Club, President of the Art Society and is an active member of the Coastguard and NZ Charities Association.  Brian served as the Civil Defence Controller for the Kawerau District Council from 1982 to 2010 and was an elected member of the Kawerau District Council from 1974 to 1995.    Brian was an elected member of the BOP Electric Power Board.  He was involved in the formation of the BOP Electricity Consumer Trust, now known as the Eastern Bay Energy Trust, and is the only original Trustee still serving on the Trust.
Peter Patterson Born and bred in Whakatane, Peter was elected to the Trust in the September 2005 elections, to represent beneficiaries in the Whakatane District Council / Kaingaroa Village area. Peter is a retailer, and has served on the committees of Whakatane WOW and the EBOP Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc., of which he is a life member.   He is managing director of Patterson's Apparel Ltd and a director of Credit Union Forestlands. Peter was one of the people involved with promoting the formation of the Bay of Plenty Electricity Consumer Trust, since renamed the Eastern Bay Energy Trust, and has followed closely the Trust's progress and development. A resident of Ohope, Peter is a member of both the Ohope and Whakatane Golf Clubs, as well as being a member of both the Ohope and Whakatane Chartered Clubs.  He is also a member of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Power Society. Peter has two adult children and enjoys golf, fishing and swimming.
Wade Brown After a lifestyle choice to live in Whakatane, Wade and his family already feel very much a part of this community. As the owner-operator of Whakatane McDonald's he is actively involved in supporting the community through sponsorship and events. Wade brings 20 years of international experience working in the financial and investment markets. His career took him off shore for 12 years to Tokyo and London - but it was the desire to give his children a Kiwi childhood that brought him home. Wade was elected to the Trust in the October 2009 elections, to represent beneficiaries in the Whakatane District Council / Kaingaroa Village area.
Donna Smit Born and educated in the Whakatane District, Donna is a qualified accountant who works as a Company Administrator for EastPack Limited, a kiwifruit packing and coolstore co-operative. Donna and her husband Corrie have four children, aged 17 to 22 years.  They own dairy farms in Edgecumbe and Oamaru. Donna is passionate about the Eastern Bay and its people.  Her interests include equestrian sports of showjumping and eventing, and supporting other family members in their chosen sports of hockey, motor cross, soccer, tennis and cycling. Donna holds one of the two appointed Trustee positions.

 

'Energising our community'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VISION

Eastern Bay of Plenty:- a community energising its own future