Derek Lightfoot, Associate Member, Chairman
B Com, FAICD, FCA, Chair of Capricorn Enterprise. Derek was the Managing Director of Tropical Pines Pty Ltd until July 2019. He was the Deputy Chairman of Growcom for a period of six years until August 2019 and is a member of the Queensland Small Business Council. Derek has been a member of the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council. Derek has had a broad business background working with organisations such as KPMG, Bank of Queensland, Brisbane City Council, The Rock and Tropical Pines. He has also been a board member of the Australian Securitisation Forum, the Chairman of Australian Bay Lobster Producers Limited and was a member of the Rockhampton City Council Audit Committee.
Christopher Harris, C.T. Harris & Company, Chartered Accountants, Deputy Chairman
Fellow Institute of Chartered Accounts, Member CPA, Registered Tax Agent, Bachelor of Commerce. Chris has been an accountant since 1998 and has nine years as a partner in an accounting firm before founding C.T. Harris & Company in July 2010. He has been a qualified financial planner since 2002, when he started advising clients of Harris Financial Planning, a business he continues to run today.
Max Hogan, Ergon Energy / Energy Queensland
MBA. With over 30 years’ experience the Electricity Distribution industry, Max is a determined and highly motivated senior manager with extensive experience and proven delivery in all operational facets of the Electricity Distribution Supply & construction Industry. Max’s current role is the Energy Queensland/ Ergon Energy Operations General Manager Southern region. Max has been successful in driving sustainable change through practices of strong engagement, communication and sustainable and innovative decision making, thus ensuring positive business and stakeholder outcomes whilst delivering a safe, productive and positive environment. Max holds extensive leadership experience in disaster management and response activities, with Max undertaking the key Emergency manager role for Energy Queensland/ Ergon Energy for the 2023 severe TC Jasper and subsequent flood event in the Cairns & Far North area, 2024 TC Jasper in the Townsville area, 2019 Townsville/ Herbert area Flood response, 2017 TC Debbie in the Mackay/ Whitsunday area and 2015 severe TC Marcia in the Capricorn coast area.
Max has a vested interest in the community and understands the need to support local projects and businesses in communities; aiming to assist in building sustainable community resilience and capability.
Helen Schweikert, Associate Member
Dip Finance, Dip Financial Planning. Helen has an established business in Yeppoon, Cap Coast Home Loans, assisting clients with their personal and financial goals with 25 years' experience in the Banking and Finance sector. Helen has been involved in various community events and organisations including chairman of The Yeppoon Red Shield Appeal, previously on the Board of the Women's Health Centre and Business Women's Organisation. Helen is also the chairman of a body corporate group in Yeppoon. Helen likes to spend her time getting involved and supporting Community events and is very passionate and excited about what Central Queensland's future prospects hold for generations to come.
Kim Harrington, CQUniversity
Graduate Certificate in Management, Bachelor of Adult & Vocational Education combined majors Adult and Vocational Teaching & Human Resources Development Honours. Kim has served as a member on many Boards and Committees during her extensive executive career to date throughout her roles incorporating local, state, national and international level positions. Kim is a recipient of the Queensland Government Women’s Leadership award, and she supports and encourages upcoming managers through coaching, mentoring, and acting as a sponsor within the workplace. Kim enhances her understanding and commitment to local industry engagement on current Board and Committees as Deputy Chair of Rockhampton Region Engagement Committee, a founding member of End Loneliness Inc., board member RDA Central & Western Queensland, a member of Board of College of Teachers Registration, together with previous Committee involvement including Study Rockhampton and Capricorn Enterprise Committee. With extensive executive educational and business development expertise Kim brings a niche understanding of our regions to Capricorn Enterprise.
Laureth Rumble, Pumpkin Island, Co-founder of Reef Distillers & Crimson Finch Brewing
Laureth, bring extensive experience in hospitality and tourism. Raised in a diving hub in South Africa, she developed a passion for the industry through her family’s restaurants and boutique hotels. Her adventurous career has taken her from bartending on superyachts in the Mediterranean to touring with U2. Laureth and her husband, Wayne, pioneered sustainability-focused boutique retreats, transforming Pumpkin Island into the Great Barrier Reef’s first beyond-carbon-neutral resort and Elysian Retreat into the region’s first solar-powered island. Both have won awards for their eco-initiatives.
Recently, Laureth co-founded Reef Distillers and Crimson Finch Brewing, celebrated for their award winning farm-to-still spirits and beers. Her vision centers on community collaboration and sustainability, supporting local farmers and artisans. Laureth is passionate about uplifting our community and working with other local operators to create a thriving supportive business environment on the Capricorn Coast.
Adam Belot, Livingstone Shire Council
As the Mayor of Livingstone Shire, Adam champions good development, innovation, and transparency to ensure the region’s ongoing growth and prosperity. With over 30 years of experience in the building industry, Adam Belot brings a wealth of practical expertise and a forward-thinking perspective to his leadership roles. A strong advocate for businesses of all sizes, Adam draws on his experience as a successful small business owner to foster an environment that supports economic diversity and vitality. He is committed to driving initiatives that create opportunities for regional growth. Adam’s dedication to community is evident through his active involvement in local sporting clubs and community groups. Over the years, he has built lasting partnerships that strengthen connections and enhance the region’s social fabric. Guided by his belief in collaboration and teamwork, Adam works tirelessly to address challenges and deliver outcomes that benefit the entire region.
