The Directors

BARRIE LEAY, CHAIRMAN OF DIRECTORS

Barrie Leay was until mid-1997 Executive Director of the Electricity Supply Association of New Zealand. Subsequently he was elected as the founder Chairman of the APEC energy Business Network in the Asia Pacific region, where he has been a leading figure in the reforms of the electricity industries and the establishment of competitive electricity markets in New Zealand and other APEC economies. Barrie is currently chairman of Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation Ltd, Bio Refineries Ltd, ThePacific.net Ltd, Ecodyne Limited, ASEC Corporation Ltd, Suntech Power Ltd and several other companies.  Barrie was also founder Chairman and a Director of NZ Windfarms Limited (NZWL) until 2008.

GEOFF HENDERSON, DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A registered mechanical engineer, Geoff has been at the forefront of wind power engineering for over twenty years, including working in California and England. He invented the torque limiting gearbox (TLG) system which has been patented in several countries.  In 1994 he received the Communications Award from the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) for his contribution to the engineering profession as a proponent of wind power. Geoff is past-chairman of the Canterbury branch of IPENZ and in 2005 was elected a Fellow of IPENZ. Geoff was a finalist for the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year.

You can read more about Geoff here.

HEUGH KELLY, DIRECTOR

Heugh Kelly is a barrister and solicitor with over 20 years experience of commercial law. Educated at Auckland Grammar School and the University of Auckland, he has been in practice on his own account since 1984. He is a director of the Environmental Defence Society which is a position he has held since 1981 and was a member of the legal committee of the Maruia Society for some years.

KEITH MCCONNELL, DIRECTOR

Keith McConnell has served a Chief Excutive Officer of a number of commercial entities over the last 15 years. These include John Edmond Ltd, Donaghy Downs Pty Ltd, The Power Company Ltd, United Electricity Ltd, Paykel Ltd and most recently Fruehauf Pacific Ltd. His involvement with wind energy first arose during his tenure with The Power Company Ltd where he sponsored a wind testing programme at three sites in Southland. Keith has also been involved in several successful start-up ventures (eg Metering Systems Ltd and Supply Solutions) and has a good understanding of the issues involved in such ventures. Keith is an ex-director of NZ Windfarms Ltd.

CAROLINE PARLANE, DIRECTOR

Caroline Parlane was previously Senior Advisor International Relations Energy for the Ministry of Economic Development, being the Government’s representative on crucial international bodies such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the Energy Working Group of APEC, and is knowledgeable of many aspects of the global energy industry.  She has an Honours Degree, a Diploma of Accounting and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

SIMON YOUNG, DIRECTOR

Simon Young has had a very successful career to date in the electricity industry  as a founder/owner of his own energy trading company Opunake Hydro Ltd, Managing Director of Alliant Energy New Zealand Ltd, and as a Director of TrustPower Ltd. Simon was also co-founder and Managing Director of Empower Ltd, New Zealand's first independent electricity retailer. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Studies, a Post-graduate Diploma in Horticultural Science and Masters Degrees in both Science and Economics.