Our people and teams
EECA is divided into 10 teams, led by Chief Executive Mike Underhill.
Mike Underhill, Chief Executive
Mike Underhill joined the EECA team as Chief Executive in May 2007.
Mike was formerly Chief Executive of WEL Networks, and has spent many years in the gas and electricity sector in New Zealand and overseas.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a Master's degree in economics, has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard, and is a Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers.
Ian Horne, General Manager Corporate
Ian Horne joined the EECA team as General Manager Corporate in October 2006.
Ian has had substantial experience in both the private and public sectors. He initially joined the public sector to lead the state sector and public finance reforms in the New Zealand Customs Service. He moved to Public Trust in 2001 to implement a reform programme to return Public Trust to profitability. His diverse private sector experience spans from banking to the motor industry.
He has a Master of Business Administration (with Honours) from Massey University, has completed the Strategic Management Programme at Henley, and is a graduate of the Jonahsm programme.
Murray Bell, Business Manager
Originally trained as a civil engineer, Murray has worked in banking, local government, and was employed by the Ministry for the Environment for 10 years prior to joining EECA in 2004.
The Business Team
EECA’s business services offer wide-ranging, expert advice for businesses of all sizes that want to become more energy efficient and ultimately more competetive. The team also encourages the use of renewable forms of energy within business and government organisations. Our programmes help businesses to identify opportunities and develop realistic action plans to see them achieve their goals. We offer practical advice and financial assistance to help facilitate change.
Bill Brander, Strategic Development Manager
Before joining EECA, to manage its energy services and business sector activities, Bill worked for a number of years as an engineering and energy consultant to industry and commercial building managers.
Bill has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a Master's degree in resource management and is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers.
The Strategic Development Team
EECA’s Strategic Development team is responsible for building new business opportunities together with the internal capability to capitalise on them. It also manages the technical knowledge in EECA.
Terry Collins, Products Manager
The Products team led by Terry manages standards, regulation, and information about motor vehicles, household appliances and commercial and industrial equipment, including labeling to help consumers make informed decisions when comparing products. This team also provides technical support and advice to programmes.
Terry has a background in policy, quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and standards development. He is responsible for relationship management with the trans-Tasman Equipment Energy Efficiency Programme and he chairs the APEC working group on energy efficiency and conservation.
The Products Team
The Products team manages energy performance standards, regulations and information on energy use for motor vehicles, household appliances, and commercial and industrial equipment.
Walt Friedel, Government and Local Government Manager
Walter has worked in local government and for the Ministry of Justice prior to joining EECA. Walter has a degree in political science and an MBA from Canterbury University.
The Government and Local Government Team
The team is reponsible for providing advice and input into relevant external energy policy work across central and local government. The team manages EECA’s key relationships within the public sector, which includes the Minister of Energy and Resources and the Ministry of Economic Development.
Richard Fitzgerald, Human Resources and Corporate Services Manager
Richard Fitzgerald joined EECA in September 2008.
Richard has an extensive background in management consulting in both the private and public sector. His work leading organisational development and change projects has encompassed a diverse range of organisations and industry sectors, including meat and dairy industries, manufacturing, construction, retailing, professional and financial services, and local and central government. In recent years he has also specialised in providing business development services to the small to medium business sector.
Richard studied at both Otago and Canterbury universities and has Bachelor degrees in Law and Economics.
The Human Resources & Corporate Services Team
The team is responsible for managing EECA’s people, including attracting and retaining talented staff, staff training and development. The team also looks after property and facilities management and office support services.
Pat Murray, Marketing and Communications Manager
Pat has extensive experience in business management, ranging from general management roles, executive teams, running his own businesses, and directorships. His previous senior executive and management positions include business strategy, strategic marketing, business development, operations, and corporate human resource management both in New Zealand and internationally. His marketing roles have seen him operating in many countries and in numerous industries with great success in creating and sustaining market leading brands.
The Marketing and Communications Team
EECA’s Marketing and Communications team raises awareness of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, highlighting the benefits and inspiring New Zealanders to take action. The team delivers information campaigns for the range of EECA’s programmes and manages corporate information and a market research programme.
Mark Ngan Kee, Finance and IT Manager
Mark has been with EECA since June 2007. He has a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration from Victoria University and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mark has extensive experience in a wide range of organisations and industries, including chartered accounting, financial services, insurance, investment management, information technology, and retail.
The Finance and IT Team
EECA’s Finance & IT team is responsible for providing financial and IT processes and systems for EECA. This group provides support to managers and staff within EECA, to assist them in delivering their project milestones.
Robert Tromop, Monitoring and Research Manager
Robert’s 10 years at EECA have included roles covering regional responsibilities, technical programmes and national strategy development. Previously Robert worked in engineering consultancy.
The Monitoring and Research Team
The Monitoring and Research team is responsible for providing monitoring, analysis, and research to support EECA’s programmes and projects. The team plays a key role in monitoring energy efficiency developments both within New Zealand and internationally.
Fiona Weightman, Energy Supply Manager
Fiona manages the Energy Supply team. Fiona worked in the UK on energy issues for many years. She was Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, working on renewable energy and energy efficiency. In New Zealand she worked for the Sustainable Energy Forum before joining EECA as the Renewable Energy Facilitator in 1996. Since August 2003 she has been Energy Supply Manager. Fiona has an Honours degree in History and Political Science from Victoria University.
The Energy Supply Team
EECA’s Energy Supply team works to maximise the proportion of electricity and heat to be generated from renewable energy sources, to help New Zealand move to an energy supply system that emits less harmful greenhouse gasses, and is secure and diverse. Programmes include solar water heating, biofuels, and supporting large-scale renewable electricity development.
Robert Linterman, Residential Manager
The Residential Team
EECA’s Residential team is responsible for providing financial incentives to retrofit insulation, clean heating, and other energy efficiency measures into existing houses. The team also works to influence behavioural change by providing information to help people make positive changes.
More information
