Our People
“As with any successful organisation, it is the staff of Accrete that make our end product successful”. (Mark Leahy – Managing Director, Accrete)
Sincerity, Experience and Enthusiam – the key characteristics of all Accrete staff. Accrete takes pride in the fact that we select qualified and experienced people who can deliver the needs of our clients in a very practical way to enhance desired outcomes. Accrete’s facilitators are skilled in the application of adult learning principles, facilitation and presentation skills.
Jon Baker: General Manager
Jon has a wealth of experience in management, with a focus on appropriate industrial practices and business systems, Human Resource Management systems and training coordination.
In a training coordination role, Jon was seconded to ADrail and was responsible for managing the training requirements for the Alice Springs to Darwin Railway project, including apprenticeships, short course ‘on-the-job’ training, and pre-employment training for some 1000 workers. About one third of the training participants were Indigenous.
Jon was also General Manager of the Territory Construction Association (TCA) prior to setting up his own consultancy in which he played a significant role in establishing the Australian Technical College Darwin as an entity and operational organisation.
Jon’s area’s of expertise includes Project Management, Business and Strategic Planning, Human Resource Management and Training Development & Coordination.
Jon holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Valuation and Estate Management. He has also represented a number of organisations on various Boards and committees, including;
- Construction Industry Reference Group, responsible for:
- The introduction of the Construction Induction system.
- Security of Payment legislation
- Builders Registration
- Portable Long Service Leave for the construction industry
- NT Government Procurement Council
- Northern Territory Industry Capability Network
- NT Construction Training Board
- NT Business Council (Deputy Chair)
- Alternative member for the Master Builders Australia Insurance Service.
Perhaps Jon’s greatest strength is the ability to provide relevant advice and training in the areas of HRM, Industrial Practices and Business Systems to enhance organisational efficiencies.
Jon has spent the last ten years in the Northern Territory but being from the UK is teaching his 2 year old son the round ball game of the ‘true’ football. Never mention the cricket (except Botham), but feel free to bring up the Beijing Olympic medal tally or Johnny Wilkinson at any time.
Carol Gibson: Training Coordinator /
Office Manager
Carol joined Accrete in early 2008 and brings with her over 25 years experience in office and business administration with a distinct focus on customer service.
The majority of her working life has been spent abroad, predominantly in the Middle East within both the Oil & Gas and Recreation industries. Working within both large multinationals and small niche businesses has provided exposure to a diverse and multi cultural working environment. This has given Carol the ability to be comfortable with people from all walks of life.
Carol’s responsibilities include the day to day training coordination, office administration and client liaison for Accrete. Her positive attitude and effective communication skills has enabled her to build a good rapport with both clients and staff.
Carol has lived in more countries then you can poke a stick at. As such we are confused as to where she really comes from although she claims to have been born in Adelaide. Carol does, however, love a chilled wine, great meal and good laugh – 2 out of 3 suggests she could be from SA.
Mark Leahy: Senior Human Capital Development Facilitator
Prior to joining Accrete, Mark was the owner operator of Mark Leahy Training & Management Consultancy from the period 1997 to 2005. Mark established his business after a successful 25 year career in the Australian Regular Army.
Mark has extensive experience in management/leadership training development programs incorporating business coaching and mentoring. He has exceptional interpersonal skills and is able to motivate participants to achieve maximum results. Mark will deliver very practical, value adding solutions to assist anyone operating in today's corporate environment.
Mark has enjoyed a successful 23-year executive career with extensive leadership and training design, development, implementation and delivery experience. He has had line management accountabilities throughout Australia with international and remote area experience and responsibility for up to 600 professional, technical and administrative staff. He has managed budgets to $300m and inventories to $250m and experienced head office staff responsibilities including strategic planning, resource and budgetary management and international logistics.
Mark's guiding philosophy can be summarised in the statement "Sincerity, enthusiasm and experience are the critical requirements of anybody attempting to develop others."
Mark spends most of his time racking up frequent flyer points between the Sunshine Coast and the NT. As such he knows the seating arrangement of every Qantas and Jet Star plane in service. Mark loves a great coffee and a large steak with chips – makes you wonder why he flies so much.
Areas of expertise: Tailored in-house organisational development programs, Team Building, Project Management, Leadership/Management programs, Executive Corporate Conferences, Executive Management coaching, Strategic/Business planning
Scott Kernahan: Team Leader - Safety
Scott is responsible for safety programs and brings with him experience in safety areas after serving 22 years in the Royal Australian Navy. This was followed by 3 years in the Motor Accidents Compensation Department at the Territory Insurance Office in Darwin.
Scott has been the lead safety facilitator over the past 3 and a half years with Accrete and delivers Confined Space Entry, Work Safely at Heights, Helicopter Underwater Escape, Use Portable Fire Fighting Equipment, Breathing Apparatus and Emergency Warden duties etc.
Scott also delivers our new OPITO two day HUET course (TBOSIET).
Scott has spent numerous years in Darwin with his family and enjoys cricket, footy and photography. For his sins, Scott is an avid Holden fan and constantly finishes close to the bottom of the footy tipping ladder as he keeps picking his team - Carlton.
Lenny Hilzinger: Safety Facilitator
Lenny has recently joined Accrete after 13 year at McArthur River Mine as the Mine Training Coordinator, Mine rescue team member and Emergency Response Training Coordinator.
He brings with him 28 years of experience in the Mining Industry in Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Northern Territory specialising in the areas of Safety, Training and Emergency Response.
His knowledge of Mine rescue includes training in -
- Search and rescue in Smoke
- Self contained breathing apparatus
- Fire fighting
- Rope rescue
- Road Accident rescue
- Hazard Chemical spill control
- Risk assessment training
With his family he has spent the last 22 years in Darwin enjoying fishing, 4X4 wheel driving and football (West Coast Fan). Lenny travels to work on a bike even in the wet – says it all.
Monique Porta: Administration Assistant
Monique joined Accrete in April on a Business Trainee Apprenticeship and is usually the first point of contact when visiting Accrete. She is currently studying part-time at CDU for her Certificate III in Business after serving several years in the retail industry delivering quality customer service.
Monique assists staff in the day-to-day running of the office and is responsible for the administration of all student and course records.
Monique has a cat called Gizmo and a very go fast bright yellow car. She is currently busy planning her wedding in August (all she just has to do now is to find someone to marry her – only joking!).
