Community First has a team of dedicated people whose prime objective is to improve the economic status of our Members. Below is a list of our Board of Directors and
Chairman of Directors, Chairman Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee
Mr Lowndes was appointed to a casual vacancy on the board in March 2001 and elected as Chairman on 1 July 2008. Stephen has over 26 years of experience in data analysis, systems development, policy formulation, strategic planning, executive management and industry representation, gained in the Commonwealth Public Service and in the Australian Private Health Insurance and Aged Care Industries. Stephen has served on the boards of the Australian Friendly Society Association, the Australian Health Services Alliance and the Australian Health Insurance Association, and a number of not-for-profit Community Services organisations.
He was formerly a member of the Management Board of Manchester Unity Credit Union, Chief Executive of Manchester Unity Australia Ltd and CEO of the Aged and Community Services Association of NSW and ACT, a peak industry association representing not-for-profit aged care providers.
Mr Lowndes is currently the CEO of the Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, a not-for-profit specialist rehabilitation and disability hospital.
Kenneth George PICKERING Dip Fin Serv, Ass. Dip. Bus. Mgt., FAICD Dip, FAMI, AIMM.
Director and Chairman of Board Audit and Risk Committee
Ken has been a Director since 1972. He served as Chairman between 1984 and 1992 and Vice/Deputy Chairman for most of the years between 1982 and 2009. Ken has a close affinity with the broader Credit Union Movement through his service on CUSCAL's National Membership Council between 1990 and 2000, and as Chief Executive Officer, Australasian Institute of Credit Union Directors from 1995 to 2005 and then Executive Manager Professional Development for the Australasian Mutuals Institute since January 2006.
Prior to this, Ken had 25 years' experience at Sydney Water, including a number of executive management positions relating to the change management program launched from 1983. Since 1993 he has been engaged in the provision of business management and consultancy services in both the credit union industry and small business along with some property development projects.
Ken is also a Director of Me & You Marketing Pty Ltd operating in the wholesale home audio market and member of the Advisory Board, Institute of Strategic Management.
Jacqueline Suzanne JOHNSON BAppSc(OT),GradDipSS, EMBA, MAMI
Member of Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee
Jacki joined the Board in September 2005 as an Associate Director and appointed as a Director of the Board in February 2007. Jacki joined IAG in 2001 and is currently the CEO of IAG NZ.
Jacki has more than 25 years experience in the insurance and financial services sector. She has held senior positions in IAG in diverse areas such as founding CEO of the internet insurer The Buzz, CEO of Business Partnerships, Head of Organisational Effectiveness, Group Strategy and led the integration of the CGU and IAG workers compensation businesses. Before joining IAG Jacki held senior positions with Allianz Insurance, HIH Insurance, and IRS Total Injury Management. Jacki is a former director of the Workcover Authority, the Personal Injury Education Foundation and Mutual Community General Insurance. She is also currently the Vice President of the Insurance Council of New Zealand.
Jacki was a member of the Community First Board Audit and Risk Committee and a current member of the Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Nuria has joined the Board as an Associate Director in May 2002 and was elected to the Board in 2003. Nuria has more than 20 years experience in financial planning and management, with qualifications from the Securities Institute of Australia and an Associate Diploma in Accounting and a Diploma of Law. Nuria is currently the principal of a Financial Planning and Stockbroking Practice and brings to the Board her experience of working closely with Community First Members through her financial planning role.
Nuria is currently the President of the Glenbrook / Brooklands Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Kelly is also a Director of Foot of the Mountains Pty Ltd which owns retail businesses in the Blue Mountains.
Stuart Joseph KORCHINSKI B. Comm (Honours),
CA, MAMI, MIFSA, MASFA
Member of Board Audit and Risk Committee
Mr Korchinski was appointed to the Board in June 2004 to fill a casual vacancy. Stuart has spent the last 25 years in the accounting profession and the general insurance, superannuation and wealth management industries in a variety of leadership roles. He is a Chartered Accountant and former Managing Director of CitiStreet Australia, KAZ Business Services, Australian Administration Services and Chief General Manager of Allianz’s personal insurance business. He is also a former non executive Director of Enhanced Payment Technologies, Thai Administration Services Co. Ltd, Red2Black Debt Recovery Services, Hannan Insurance Brokers and a founding director of Money Solutions, a financial advice company.
Stuart is currently Managing Director of Diversa Limited, an ASX-listed wealth management company and a non-executive Director and adviser to SuperChoice Services Pty Ltd, a specialist superannuation technology company.
Stephen Brian NUGENT B Bus. (Marketing), Grad Cert Internet Mkt., AFAMI, JP, AMP (Harvard)
Member of Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee
Stephen joined the Board as a Director in May 2002. Stephen has more than 30 years experience in the finance and insurance industries, currently performing the role of General Manager - Operations for the Hospital Contributions Fund (HCF).
Stephen brings to the Board wide ranging experience in project and operations management, process improvement, sales, marketing, customer service, financial management, aged care, strategic planning and compliance.
Executive Management Team
John TANCEVSKI B.Comm (Accy), FCPA, MBA
Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary, Member Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee
John joined Community First in May 2005 as Chief Executive Officer. He has spent over half his career working in senior and general management positions with medium and large sized credit unions and previously had a diverse background in the steel, manufacturing, oil and health industries.
John has extensive experience in strategic planning, corporate governance and secretarial duties; finance and treasury; risk management; compliance and information technology. John has chaired various technology user groups and is a Director of TransAction Solutions Limited (TAS), a facilities management company.
John holds a Masters of Business Administration degree and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants (CPA).
He is also a Chair of the Board Audit Risk and Committee at TransAction Solutions Limited.
Ian CHAPPLE CA, AFAMI, AIMM
Company Secretary and General Manager Corporate Services
Ian was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2006 and in May 2011, following a management restructure, was appointed to the senior role of General Manager Corporate Services.
Prior to joining Community First, Ian held positions in the role of Finance Manager and Company Secretary with Elcom Credit Union.
Ian has spent over 26 years in chartered practice, including 8 years in Credit Union audit. He has wide experience in management and financial accounting; budgeting; taxation and treasury management; risk and compliance; company secretarial duties and corporate administration.
Malcolm HARLEY
General Manager Member Experience
Malcolm was appointed to his position with Community First in August 2009. Malcolm's experience spans 27 years in banking and financial services, having held a range of senior and executive management roles in building societies, banking and a national mortgage company. Areas of expertise include sales and marketing, retail and lending operations, program and contract management.
Hung TRUONG B. Commerce (Accounting), CPA
Financial Controller
Hung joined Community First in December 1999 and over 11 years has progressed through the organisation in a number of key finance roles including Senior Management Accountant and Head of Finance. Currently he is the Financial Controller with oversight of the entire Finance and Collections functions covering financial and management accounting; budgeting; taxation and treasury management.
Rick DORE MBA
General Manager Support Services
Rick joined Community First in December 2010 as Head of Information Technology and in May 2011 was appointed to the role of General Manager Support Services. This role is responsible for Community First’s information technology and operations. He has international experience having worked in Scotland and Asia for five years and has spent over half of his career working in senior and general management positions in banking or financial services companies and previously a diverse background in consulting, insurance and travel industries.
Rick has extensive experience in strategic planning, information technology, operations, change and program management. Rick has previously held Directorships with BPay Pty Ltd, Cardlink Ltd and was Chairman of CA Ltd which are bank owned entities that specialised in payments and processing. Rick holds a Masters of Business Administration degree.
