
Tony Romano
President NAI Harcourts

Paul Weir
Vice President Take Eight Productions

Barry Jones
Board Member Thinking Human Resources
Barry has been a member of the Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce since 2013 and member of the Board since 2014.
Barry is Director of Thinking Human Resources, a Human Resources coaching/consulting business and member of the national HR Coach network. Thinking Human Resources works with Board and C-Suite leaders in for-profit and not-for- profit organisations in the Services, Disability and Aged Care areas to improve leadership, employee engagement, performance management, business/HR systems and processes which improve performance and profitability.
Barry has post graduate qualifications in Business specialising in Human Resources and will complete his MBA in early 2018. Barry is also a WA State Council member of the AHRI, the professional HR Organisation.
Barry brings a wealth of senior leadership and consulting experience from medium to large complex organisations including Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers, Woolworths and Coles Supermarkets across mining, engineering, supply chain/logistics and FMCG industries.
Tertiary Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma in Business (HR)
- Completing MBA in 2018
Professional Registrations
- Registered Industrial Advocate
- CAHRI
- Accredited facilitator
Community
- Member of City of Melville Safer Melville Advisory Committee

Philip Charles
Board Member Sylex Ergonomics
Sylex Ergonomics designs and manufactures top quality office furniture, computer furniture and office accessories. Phil is an Industry Specialist with nearly 35 years experience in ergonomics and office furniture. Phil has also 12 years in the Army Reserve, enjoys cricket and basketball, and is looking forward to contributing to the MCCC board and supporting local business.

Neerja Ahuja
Board Member Ayurveda Awareness Centre
Principal Consultant, Director and Course Facilitator at Ayurveda Awareness Centre (AAC) www.ayurveda-awareness.com.au , Adv. Dip. in Ayu., Dip in Human Values , M.A. (Mathematical Statistics), Grad. Dip. (Computing)
Neerja initiated a community awareness project to promote Ayurveda in Western Australia in 1999. Since 2001 what started as a personal interest has now become a personal and professional passion.
Neerja is a trained consultant and therapist and course facilitator since 2001, teaching Ayurveda and running her clinical practice. In clinic, Neerja consults clients for diet, life style routines for physical and mental health, and emotional hygiene, offering variety of Ayurvedic detoxification and de-stressing treatments.
In teaching, other than facilitating Nationally recognized trainings for many years, she has done numerous presentations on Ayurveda at different yoga schools and natural health colleges.
Neerja conducted Ayurveda programs as UWA Extension course. She also presented to King Edwards Memorial (KEM) Hospital to midwifery and nursing students and for Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA). Neerja has presented workshops on “Leadership is a By-Product of Spirituality” in SLaM (Spirituality, Leadership and Management) conference in Sydney in 2010 and “Inner Management – The Wisdom of Leadership” in 2011 among presentations and workshops on leadership.
Neerja is a published writer in national magazines and professional journals.
She continues to run regular seminars/ workshops and courses at Ayurveda Awareness Centre (AAC). Her online courses have been taken up by students in 110 countries.

Aran Kandia
Board Member Propertynet Real Estate
Director – Sales and Property Manager
Propertynet Real Estate – Atwell
Graduated from Murdoch University, I have over 23 years of experience in real estate with an extensive knowledge about this industry.
Over the years, I have mastered every aspect of real estate practice including property management, property sales, property marketing, business management and accounting.
80% of my current business is from repeat and referral work.
I am a hardworking individual who shows integrity and respect while undertaking all responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism. I love reading up on the industry and finding new techniques to help improve my level of service that I offer to my clients.
I am a hardworking individual who shows integrity and respect while undertaking all responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism. I love reading up on the industry and finding new techniques to help improve my level of service that I offer to my clients
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am a very active member in non-profit organisations, who tirelessly work for the betterment of the community. If you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, give me a call and add your name to my Team’s growing list of satisfied customers.
Specialities
- Extended knowledge in sales developments and residential and commercial property management. Buying agents for development site.
Aran Kandia J.P. has been in the industry since 1993.
Awards
- Hundreds of Happy Clients and many ‘TOP GUN’ awards received.
Community involvement
- Have been actively involved in many charitable projects.

Gary Hitch
Secretary Ark Finance
Gary joined the Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce early in 2018 and joined the MCCC Board in October 2018.
Gary is the owner and director of ARK (AUS) Pty Ltd.
ARK is a business consultancy and finance brokerage company, which works with start-ups and small to medium enterprises as they develop. Its services encompass all of the clients business needs by working on their growth strategy, business planning and operational effectiveness.
ARK recognises the financial challenges of business in today’s economy. To support this need, ARK established its finance brokerage arm to help its client’s source the appropriate finance products they need to run and grow their business.
Gary’s previous experience comprises management roles in a number of small to mid-size companies as well as a corporate role as a Vice President of a large multinational. His business experience covers the OEM, project, manufacturing and mining sectors.
His practical experience is supported by an MBA with a major in leadership from Curtin University and an engineering degree from the UK.
Being a member of the (MFAA) Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia, his experience in banking and equity raising, coupled with his business experience, brings a deep understanding of the needs of SME’s in todays economy.

John Tedesco
Treasurer Business Innovation Services

Vera Ensor
Board Member Grazie Gifts and Hampers

Shaun Pahlaad
Board Member
Air Concepts
Air Concepts Pty Ltd. specialises in light commercial fit-outs and preventative maintenance plans for air conditioning systems for medium-sized commercial properties.
The company is owned and operated by Shaun as a family business. Shaun is a migrant success story, originating from South Africa. He owned and operated a similar business in Auckland New Zealand. He then moved to Perth in 2016 to operate Air Concepts.
The last two years have been challenging for Shaun having to deal with Covid restrictions, staffing shortages and increases in air con parts and supplies. But this hasn’t stopped Shaun from successfully growing his business and preparing it for future growth.
Shaun is an innovator and practices applies innovation to his business. He is always on the look for new procedures, processes and technologies to provide better services to his customers.
He is particularly interested in smart systems that enable savings in energy, building operating costs and reducing carbon emissions.
He has created a system for schools that connects the school siren and air conditioning systems so that when the siren sounds in the morning and afternoons, the air conditioners can automatically turn on and shut down accordingly. This means the system is only used when it’s needed – clever!
Air Concepts is also a supplier of an ultra-violet system that can remove pathogens from air conditioning systems providing healthy ventilated air for people.
Shaun is an active networker belonging to several groups and is an avid life-long learner.
MCCC Staff

Monique Williams
MCCC Executive Officer

Emily Jones
MCCC Marketing Coordinator

Jessica Lowe
MCCC Sales Coordinator