The Sunshine Coast Business Council has announced that HeliMods Founder and Managing Director Will Shrapnel, and Covey Associates Managing Director Kevin Covey will join the advocacy group’s board following its AGM held in Maroochydore last Friday.

Re-elected Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said she was delighted to welcome both Mr Shrapnel and Mr Covey to the board as key players in the Sunshine Coast business community.

“HeliMods is undoubtedly one of the most influential players in our region given its recognition as a leader in the field of aerospace engineering, operating from its headquarters and purpose-built, world-class facility right here on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Zubrinich said.

Covey Associates, a respected and award-winning engineering consulting firm established on the Sunshine Coast for over 29 years, has helped shape some of the region’s most well-known projects.

“Kevin’s extensive engineering background and experience working across all facets of project delivery on significant projects, will be of great value to the board,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“After one year’s absence, we have the pleasure of welcoming back to the board Nicola Scott representing Master Builders, which has a long record of Sunshine Coast Business Council board representation. We are pleased to have this influential organisation represented on our board once again.”  Other changes to the board include the stepping down of Bridget Murphy, former Fujitsu Australia Limited, Kelli Thomas formerly with Walker Corporation and Tony Sowden from Tony Sowden Legal.

“On behalf of the Board, we thank Kelli Thomas for her contribution during the early part of 2022 and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“Bridget Murphy has been a hard-working board member for the past five years and while having to step down earlier this year due to family commitments, we hope to see Bridget return to the board in the future.

Finally I would like to thank Tony Sowden for all his support, having been a board member since 2007. Tony has played a significant role in shaping the Board over the past 15 years and I thank him for his counsel and commitment over this time.

“We warmly acknowledge our Board Members who give their time, energy and experience to prosecute the Sunshine Coast Business Council’s agenda and work to make the Sunshine Coast a stronger economy and a better place to live and invest.”

“There are exciting times ahead for our region, particularly as we focus on the strength of regional investment now and what will be required in the preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

The Sunshine Coast Business Council Board now includes:

  • Sandy Zubrinich — Chair
  • Matthew Byrne, Stockland — Board Member and Treasurer
  • Ana Rodger, TAFE Queensland East Coast Region — Board Member and Secretary
  • Andrew Brodie, Sunshine Coast Airport — Board Member
  • Kevin Covey, Covey Associates – Board Member
  • Will Shrapnel, HeliMods – Board Member
  • Nicola Scott, Master Builders – Board Member
  • Prof Tim Wess, University of Sunshine Coast – Board Member
  • Brad Williams, RPS Group Australia – Board Member

The Sunshine Coast Business Council is the leading regional business advocacy group on the Sunshine Coast representing approximately 4,000 businesses through its membership, which includes key national and regional industry groups and their members as well as national and regional businesses.

Its membership base represents a range of sectors including tourism, property, construction, retail, education and training, agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT and professional services.

To find out more, please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.

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Media contact: Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing, 0410 109 102, maya@freshprm.com.au