Board
The EECA Board members are appointed by the Minister of Energy.
Members of the Board are responsible for the supervision and direction of EECA, including the long-term strategic financial plan, strategic initiatives, budgets and the policy framework. The Board also prepares a Statement of Intent and Purchase Agreement with the Minister of Energy.
The day-to-day management of EECA is delegated to the Chief Executive, who is appointed by the Board.
The normal Board membership term is three years.
Board Members
Roger Sutton (Chairman)
Roger was appointed Chair in May 2007. Roger has extensive experience managing operational and strategic development projects in the New Zealand energy industry. He has operated at a senior level in both the electricity and gas industries, in a customer service/sales role as well as in management of infrastructure. He has been Director of a range of listed and unlisted companies.
Roger is Chief Executive of Orion New Zealand Limited. With a turnover of over $170 million per annum, Orion is New Zealand’s third largest electricity network company, supplying 170,000 customers in Canterbury. He is a Director of 4RF Communications Ltd and Electricity Networks Association and Chairman of Connetics Ltd.
Alastair Patrick (Deputy Chairman)
Alastair Patrick has been a member of the EECA Board since June 2005 and was appointed Deputy Chair of the Board in October 2007. Between 1991 and 2003 Mr Patrick worked for the Ministry of Transport, for the last three years as manager of Infrastructure and Services. He now provides consultancy services for Beacon Consulting predominantly for government agencies across a range of areas, including transport, education and biosecurity.
Alastair is also a member of the Board of Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership New Zealand.
Russell Longuet
Russell has a background in electrical engineering, merchant banking and consulting. He is currently Principal of his own energy consulting business and most recently worked as Manager Energy for the country’s third largest energy user.
Russell was appointed to the EECA Board in April 2003 and represents industry, business and consumer interests, bringing an understanding of viable energy efficiency options. He is also on a number of key advisory groups to the Electricity Industry Governance Project. Russell won the EnergyWise national award for energy efficiency for Carter Holt Harvey in 1997. He is involved with Kyoto Protocol issues and was an author of the recent Wood Processing Strategy provided to Ministers. He also has an awareness of Treaty issues with respect to land and energy, for example geothermal issues related to Ngawha, Kawerau and Maraetai.
Dennis Parker
Dennis is a consultant who helps businesses to develop their operational and organisational capabilities, while being financially, socially and environmentally sustainable. He was appointed to the EECA Board in March 2003.
Dennis previously worked for 16 years with Macpac, initially as Finance Manager and latterly as General Manager. Working in a key role for an iconic New Zealand company gave him valuable experience in the issues facing manufacturing, design and marketing for domestic and export markets.
Dennis is the Chairperson of the Sustainable Business Network in the South Island, as well as being on their National Board.
Toni Owen
Toni is a director of Focus Chartered Accountants Ltd in Whakatane, where she specialises in business and financial planning. Ms Owen has spent over ten years working with communities on energy and energy efficiency. She was trustee of the Eastern Bay Energy Trust from 1995 until 2006, for the last 8 years as Chair.
Toni has played an important role in many organisations in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area including the Child Injury Prevention Trust, the Life Education Trust, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Gregory (Greg) Sise
Greg is the director of Ellsoft Ltd and EnergyLink Ltd in Dunedin, two energy modelling and analysis companies that he founded in 1996.
Greg has had years of experience working in the energy industry. He has served on various working groups in the electricity and gas sectors including the New Zealand Electricity Market’s Pricing Working Group and Rules Committee.
Dr Andrew (Andy) Pearce
Andy is a professional director with specialist governance expertise. He has a diverse range of experience in technology-based companies, commercial and not-for-profit R&D businesses, and charitable organisations.
He was CEO of Landcare New Zealand from 1992 until 2005, where he led its formation as an Independent Crown Research Institute and developed it into a profitable company.
Penelope (Penny) Hulse
Penny has been a Waitakere City Councillor for the last 12 years. Her work there has a special focus on sustainable housing. She has served on the Waitemata District Health Board for the last six years and is trustee of several community trusts including the Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood Trust, a trust that is designing and building environmentally and socially sustainable homes; and the Waitakere Anti-Violence Essential Services Trust (WAVES), a network of governmental and non-governmental agencies working to prevent family violence and assist the victims of family violence.