Board of Directors
Flagstaff is governed by a voluntarily appointed Board of Directors, which is led by a Chairman, Colin Bloomfield, and a team of dedicated Board Members including Assunta Young, Robert Ryan, Renata Garnero, Tania Jones, Greg Pullen and Dave Bell.
The Board provides guidance, governance, leadership and commitment to ensure a sustainable future for Flagstaff.
Colin Bloomfield
Chairman
Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Hons 1st class), Grad. Certificate in Management
Colin has been a Board member since April 2014. Colin has over 30 years of experience in technical, operations, management and corporate roles in the resources industry. He led BHP Billiton’s Illawarra Coal Group as President of Illawarra Coal from 2004-2012. His former roles at BHP Billiton include Vice President Health, Safety and Environment and Project Director for the BHP Billiton merger integration. Colin was also Chairman at Metarock Group Limited, an ASX listed diversified contracting company from 2015 until 2025.
Robert Ryan
B. Ec. (SYD), MComLaw (MQ), CA, AICD, FCIS, FTIA
Robert has been a Board member since 2008. Robert Ryan is the Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, one of Australia’s largest mutual banks with branches throughout the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Highlands, Sydney, Melbourne and the ACT. Rob is a director of Australian Settlements Limited, an Australian payments company, together with a member of the company’s Audit and Digital Committee.
Rob is a member of the University of Wollongong Council and was elected to the position of Deputy Chancellor of the University of Wollongong in January 2018. Rob is also a Director of the UOW Enterprises Board in Dubai (UOWD) and Hong Kong (CCCU) and is Chairman of the UOWD Board in Dubai. Prior to joining IMB, Rob held the positions of Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Australian Resources Limited. Rob has extensive experience in finance and management at senior executive and Board level, has been involved in the formulation and implementation of strategic business plans and financial restructuring, staff management and development, treasury funding and risk management, as well as evaluation of acquisitions and divestments.
Tania Jones
Bachelor of Computer Science (Double Major: Comp. Science and Management), University of Wollongong. Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tania has been a Board member since April 2020. Tania is a senior Sustainability and Technology executive having held positions with international resource exploration and development companies in Australia and in Papua New Guinea. Tania is currently the Sustainable Market Development Manager for Green Gravity, a local renewable energy storage company. Tania has extensive experience in strategy development and organisational redesign; ESG (Environment, Social and Governance); expertise in business planning, performance management and change management; corporate governance and compliance, management systems; community and stakeholder engagement. Tania is also a director on the Illawarra Industry and Innovation Network (i3net), and the Community Groups Hi Neighbour and Illawarra Circular Precinct Steerco.
Assunta Young
Registered Nurse and Immunisation Provider
Assunta has been a Board member since 2008. Assunta is a parent and carer of a young adult with a disability and carer for a family member with an acquired brain injury. She is currently working for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District as a Registered Nurse in Public Health. Previously Assunta was a Clinical Nurse Specialist working in Multicultural Health and the Refugee Community. Assunta is a past member of the Development and Review Panel of Policies and Procedures for the Illawarra Children’s Community Team. She was previously a community support worker and advocate for people with disabilities and their families with the Italian Social Welfare Organisation (ITSOWEL) and assisted in the development of Policies and Procedures. Assunta is a past parent representative of the Children with Special Needs Committee for the Catholic Education Office and a past member of the Wollongong Catholic Diocesan Council for people with disabilities and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Greg Pullen
Bachelor of Arts (Econometrics); Grad Dip in Operations Research
Greg has been a Board member since September 2020. Greg was the Economic Development Manager with Shoalhaven City Council until retirement in December 2022, and in this role had contact with a wide industry base across the Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions. Greg has had members of his family living with a disability.
Renata Garnero
Qualifications: Bachelor Of Commerce – Accountancy (UOW), MBA (Deakin), Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent, JP NSW
Renata has been a Board member since June 2018. Renata is the Chief Financial officer at Aster Group. Prior to this, she worked for 12 years in public practice accounting. She is also a member of the Youth Off The Streets Advisory Committee (Cordeaux Campus), and is a mentor in the UOW Student Mentoring Program, a Director at St Mary Star of the Sea College Wollongong and Committee Member on the Wollongong PCYC Community Engagement Committee.
Greg Mitchell
Nurse / Disability Support Worker and Manager Disability Services
Board member since June 2025. Greg has ‘Lived experience of Disability’, following a MVA and amputation of right leg in 1989. Prior to 1989: – Working with People with a Disability: – 1979 – 1988. Nursing and Care of People with Disabilities in Institutional and Large Residential accommodation. 1983 Richmond Report: – Deinstitutionalisation of Health Services for the Developmentally Disabled. Accommodation and Respite Services, Department of Community Services Nowra. Post 1989: – Working with People with a Disability: 1989 – 2013 joining with Residents and Employees, to achieve ‘The National Standards’ 1993. Day Programs / Training and Employment, Accommodation and Respite Services. Department of Community Services – Nowra, Batemans Bay & Wollongong and as a Planner, National Disability Insurance Agency, Wollongong. NDIS Participant from 2020.
Alissa Walsh
Graduate Certificate in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management; Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory; Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) major in Communications
Alissa has been a Board Member since February 2025. Alissa is the Chief Performance Officer of Apollo Care, an aged care provider operating across Australia. Prior to joining Apollo Care, Alissa held the position of Company Secretary and Executive Leader of Strategic Innovation and Development at Warrigal. Alissa is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Alissa’s career is diverse, having worked in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, as well as in the Government at both the State and Federal levels. Her experience is in the areas of aged care and disability, strategic planning and implementation, growth, business improvement, and change and project management. Nurse / Disability Support Worker and Manager Disability Services
Les McMahon
Grad Diploma( Civil Eng), Bachelor Civil Eng( Hons),
Bachelor Business( Local Govt), Local Govt Engineers Certificate, Local Govt Clerks Certificate, Grad Aust Institute of Company Directors.
Les has over 40 years experience in Local Government, State Government and Private Enterprise. He was General Manager at Wollondilly Shire Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Cootamundra -Gundagai Regional Council and General Manager of Macarthur Waste Board.
He has wide experience in Engineering and Administration.
He has retired from Local Government in 2014 but has been
active in the Professional Association in Local Government, The Local
Government Professional Assoc and was Chairman of The AR Bluett Award for Local Govt in NSW for 8 years
He has served in many Boards:
Regional Development Australia( Sydney)
Macathur Business Enterprise Centre
My Gateway-An Apprentice and Trainee organisation in
Macarthur for 30 years
Dave Scott
Bio
Executive Team
Rodney Von Clark, CEO
Rodney Von Clark is an accomplished leader with a distinguished background in the military, not-for-profit sector, and the disability industry.
His professional journey is underpinned by a strong foundation in community services, reflected in his qualifications: Advanced Diploma in Community Services Management and Diploma in Community Services.
During his 15-year tenure in the Australian Army, Rod served as an Infantry Section Commander and later as an Emergency Responder in the Engineer Regiment, here he honed his leadership and management skills. This invaluable experience gained in the military fortified his commitment to service and instilled a sense of purpose that would later guide his transition to the not-for-profit sector.
Following his military service, he embarked on a new path in 2009, moving to the Illawarra to contribute to the disability industry. Over the years, he has worked with dedication and passion in various capacities, leveraging his qualifications to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
As the CEO of The Flagstaff Group, Rod draws upon his experience and academic background in community services management to lead the strategic growth of the organisation in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and Macarthur regions. Rod is focused on furthering the success of The Flagstaff Group and advancing the cause of providing meaningful employment and life skills for people with disabilities.
Paul O’Neill, CFO
With over 18 years at Flagstaff, Paul safeguards Flagstaff’s resources, finances and IT infrastructure.
His financial acumen and IT know-how ensures robust fiscal management, critical for the efficient handling of government grants, NDIS funds and philanthropic investments.
Before Flagstaff, Paul was the Business Manager at a local independant school and is on a local church Finance Committee and has previosly worked on an independent local school Finance Committee and Board.
Steve Burgess, Executive Manager People & Culture
Steve has been with Flagstaff for over 20 years leading the human resources team and works in the legal, policy and workplace health and safety frameworks at Flagstaff.
Before working in the disability sector, Steve had nearly 15 years of experience as an operational Police Officer, where he gained a unique insight into the barriers and challenges for people who are adversely affected by social and economic factors. That experience, along with tertiary studies in law, management and communications, enabled Steve to undertake a career change more aligned with his personal values and principles. Driven to promote social inclusion, equity and human rights, Steve has been a Human Services professional since 2001 and is passionate about empowering others to enhance or improve their personal, economic or social standing.
Steve’s Specialities include: Work Health & Safety (WHS), Human Resources, Recruitment, Industrial Relations, Training, Succession Planning, Professional Development, Workplace incident/complaint investigation and reporting, Interpreting legislation and industrial instruments and Writing and implementing complex workplace policies and procedures
Alison Turner, Executive Manager Strategy & Growth
Alison has studied public relations, marketing, leadership and personnel management. Alison’s strategies have brought about transformative change in both local and state government initiatives and over 20 years in the disability sector in not for profit organisations including The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Lifestart, ParaQuad and Royal Rehab. She has worked in state and local government in marketing and small business units and has worked as the Marketing Manager for the Epping Club and Hotel Nikko Darling Harbour. An innovative leader,
Alison has led the CTC@Pottsville and the CTC Association bringing digital programs and supports to regional communities. She has sat on the Board of the CTC Association and established many home based and start up business groups having her own PR and Marketing consultancy for several years.
Division Managers
- Linda Campbell – Senior Manager Operations & Project Support
- Renae Zelvis – Senior Manager NDIS Supports & Services – Illawarra
- Tracey Bowen – Finance Manager
- Theresa Day – Print, Mail & Digital
- Neel Honavar – Paper to Paper
- Phil Webster – Flagstaff Laundry Production Manager
- Amanda Ellis – Manager Support Coordination
- Nicole Bye – Manager Quality & Service Delivery