Derek Lightfoot, Associate Member, Chairman
B Com, FAICD, FCA. Derek is currently a Director of The Capricorn Limited. He 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 was 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, Deputy Chairman
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (2011), Member of CPA Australia (2006), Registered Tax Agent (2002), Authorised Representative of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd (2002), Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (2001), Bachelor of Commerce – University of Queensland (1997). 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 in 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 and 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/ Energex for the 2025 TC Alfred, 2025 Central west and South west floods, 2023 severe TC Jasper and subsequent flood event in the Cairns and Far North area, 2024 TC Jasper in the Townsville 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
JP Qual 86695, Dip Finance, Dip Financial Planning, AFCA member 49154, FBAA member 338590. Helen Schweikert has recently launched her latest venture as a Business Coach and Mentor with FYI Business Coaching, supporting new finance brokers as they enter the industry. With over 25 years of experience in the banking and finance sector, Helen brings a wealth of practical knowledge, insight, and leadership to help others grow their businesses and succeed in the industry. After successfully building and recently selling her well-regarded mortgage broking business, Cap Coast Home Loans in Yeppoon, Helen is now focused on sharing her expertise to guide both new entrants and existing professionals toward sustainable business growth. Helen has also been a dedicated member of her local community. She has served as Chair of the Yeppoon Red Shield Appeal, held positions on the boards of the Women’s Health Centre and the Business Women’s Organisation, and currently chairs a local body corporate committee. Her passion for regional development and community engagement reflects her strong belief in the future potential of Central Queensland. Helen remains deeply committed to mentoring, community involvement, and shaping the next generation of finance professionals.
Kim Harrington, CQUniversity
Graduate Certificate in Management, Bachelor of Adult & Vocational Education combined majors Adult and Vocational Teaching & Human Resources Development Honours, Associate Diploma of Vocational Instruction, Diploma of Project Management, Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, Australian Institute of Company Directors Governance Essentials Course. 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
Diploma – 3D Animation, Advertising and Multimedia, Superyacht Training. Laureth brings over two decades of international experience across hospitality, tourism, and sustainable business development. Raised in a renowned diving destination in South Africa, she developed a passion for the industry through hands-on experience in her family’s boutique hotels and restaurants. Her adventurous career path has seen her working aboard luxury superyachts in the Mediterranean and touring globally with major artists. Laureth and her husband, Wayne, are the visionary founders behind two award-winning eco-retreats in the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays—Pumpkin Island, Australia’s first beyond-carbon-neutral island resort, and Elysian Retreat, the region’s first fully solar-powered island resort. Their projects have received national and international recognition for environmental innovation and sustainable tourism. More recently, Laureth co-founded Reef Distillers and Crimson Finch Brewing, producing farm-to-still artisan spirits and beers that champion local sourcing, circular practices, and community partnerships. She is a passionate advocate for regional collaboration, supporting local farmers, artists, and small business operators to foster a vibrant, connected Capricorn Coast economy. With a unique blend of global insight and grassroots dedication, Laureth brings a creative and community-minded perspective to Capricorn Enterprise.
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.