Board of Management

Ian Bailey was elected president of the Society in August 2008 having been elected to the Board in 2004. Ian is a retired building and civil construction contractor and resides in Woodville. He has also had local government experience as a district councillor, and has served the Catholic church in a wide range of roles in his local parish and in the Palmerston North Diocese.

Robin Adair was elected to the Board in 2007 and is one of the Society's three Wellington-based trustees. Robin is retired with a background in tax policy and administration, in New Zealand and overseas. He resides in Paraparaumu.

Mike McBride was elected to the Board in 2008. He is retired with a background in senior management for the Inland Revenue Department, including administration and management, and latterly investigation work involving courts and tribunals. Mike is also heavily involved with Lions through his local club and at district level. Mike resides in Nelson.

Jane McKee was elected to the Board in 2004 having served as a board member previously, including two years as the Society's second woman president 2000-2002. Jane is an office manager residing in Blenheim.

Leo Neal was elected to the Board in 2007 having served as a board member previously, including two years as president of the Society 1994-1996. Leo is retired as resides in Auckland.

Gordon Stewart serves as one of the Society's three Wellington-based trustees, having been elected to the Board in 2008. Gordon is a professional company director and trustee with degrees in law and commerce. He has practiced as a tax lawyer, and is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand although not currently practicing.

Colleen Petricevich was elected to the Board in 2003. Colleen is an accounts manager and resides in North Shore City.

Jim Sweeney is the third of the Society's three Wellington-based trustees. He was also elected to the Board in 2008. A former board member and trustee 1996-2000, Jim is retired.

Staff

Peter Gibson joined the Society as secretary/manager in 1997. Prior to his employment with the Hibernians, Peter spent 30 years in the banking sector with Westpac.

Peter sees the Society as more benevolent in lending than the banks which are more hard nosed about their commercial focus. "While the basic principles of lending are the same, there is a more benevolent side to the Society." He says cases that are a bit borderline, ones that banks might decline, can receive a more favourable outcome with the Hibernians. Things such as being a member for some time and people knowing the applicant at local parish level are things the Hibernians also take into consideration.

Peter is also a member of the Board of Management.

Sue Hagai is the accounting officer, responsible for maintaining the Society’s financial records, and supporting the secretary/manager in providing management reports to the Society's trustees and Board of Management. Sue has been employed by the Society since 1994, initially responsible for the administration functions of its office.

Leeane Palmer has been the Society’s administration officer since joining its employment in September 2001. In that role Leeane is primarily responsible for the membership records and the general day-to-day administration of the Society’s office.