VASS has a CEO and staff, based in Wellington, who are supported by a Board of Trustees. The Board comprises of eight members who are elected annually.
Our Board
President: John Grant
John Grant is General Manager of SkillWise which is based in Christchurch. SkillWise provides community participation support which includes training, education, leisure and recreation opportunities and links to voluntary work and employment opportunities, for adults who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. As well as his role as GM of SkillWise John holds a part-time lecturing position, at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, on the Bachelor of Applied Science course (disability specialisation). John has worked at Skillwise since 2005, and began lecturing in 2008.
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Vice-President: Karen Covell
Karen Covell is Chief Executive of Progress to Health which is based in Hamilton. Progress to Health is a community based organisation providing mental health and disability support services throughout the Waikato, Taranaki and Taupo. Progress to Health's vision is that all people with mental health and associated disabilities are supported holistically to maximise their potential. Karen has worked in the health sector for the majority of her career and has been at Progress to Health since 2004. Prior to which she was the CE at Epilepsy New Zealand. She has been in a member of the VASS Board for two years, the second of which she has been Vice-President. She is also Chair of the Waikato District Health Board mental health local advisory group, a member of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, an associate member of the New Zealand Institute of Management, and the Not-for-Profit Network. Outside of work, Karen is a gym instructor at her local gym in Cambridge, and enjoys spending time with her greyhound, Fox, and her partner Ian.
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Rosemary Carr
Rosemary Carr is Chief Executive of Kilmarnock Enterprises based in Christchurch. Kilmarnock Enterprises is a Business Enterprise that provides paid employment and training for Canterbury people who have disabilities. Their slogan is 'Keen People, Enterprising Work'. Rosemary has been involved with the organisation for more than 30 years, firstly as a volunteer, then a supervisor and as CE for the majority of her time. Rosemary has been a VASS member for all but three of VASS's 29 years. She has also served on many other boards and committees for the Anglican Church, Social Services, Disability Organisations and local authorities. Outside of work Rosemary's family, along with travel and gardening are amongst her interests.
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Steve Hales
Steve Hales is General Manager of Atawahi Industries which is based in New Plymouth. Atawhai Industries has contracts with MSD for Vocational Services and Supported Employment which they provide to 140 people with a broad range of disabilities. Their Business Enterprises comprise forestry, engineering, an arborist division, section services, packaging, community participation and supported independent living (non-funded). Steve first began work at Atawahi Industries 22 years ago, when he worked as a supervisor for the outside crews, he then became their Operations Manager and has been General Manager since 1997. Prior to working at Atawhai Industries Steve was a rural contractor, and today he can still be found enjoying a rural lifestyle with pig hunting and breaking in horses amongst his hobbies. That is when he is not spending time being granddad to his 20 grandchildren.
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James Middleton
James Middleton is Chief Executive of Avalon Inc which is based in Tauranga. Avalon Inc supports 115 people in vocational service in the Bay of Plenty. Avalon creates an environment where unique ability through disability can be challenged and stimulated. This is achieved through commercial business, Business Enterprises, personal development programmes and community activities. James has been CEO of Avalon Inc for three years, having spent the five years previous as a volunteer. James is passionate about making a difference in other peoples lives on a daily basis, "even if i just do it with a smile".
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Lynda Millington
Lynda Millington is Chief Executive of Interactionz which is based in Hamilton. Interactionz is committed to assisting people with disabilities, with support from their families/whanau and communities, to lead lives that have meaning to them. Interactionz work is about interacting with people and communities, and to enable this the Trust has developed a way of working called Person Driven Practice. Alongside the services Interactionz provide to enact this practice is a transformational framework that is used by Interctionz to change the thinking and behaviour of staff. Lynda has been involved with Interactionz since 1999 when she was appointed CE, and she has been a VASS Board member since 2000, having held both the Vice-President and Treasurer role in that time. When not working her passion is travelling, with a major overseas trip on the cards every two years, inbetween which she fulfils her other interests tramping, social cycling, reading and cooking.
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Glenn Murtagh
Glenn Murtagh is Service Development Manager for Pact which is based in Dunedin. Pact is a support organisation for people, with a wide range of services including Day programmes, vocational services and community participation to supported accommodation services for both the intellectually disabled and for people with mental illness. PACT operates in Otago, Southland, the West Coast and have a small presence in Christchurch. Glenn began work at PACT three-and-a-half years ago, and his responsiblities include managing client programmes in Otago and developing services. Previously he worked for Housing New Zealand, prior to which he spent a considerable number of years in the New Zealand Army. He has been a VASS Board member for two years. As a father-of-five he is also on his local high school Board and has been managing Otago rugby teams for the past six years.
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Tom Ringrose
Tom Ringrose is Chief Executive of the Disability Resource Centre (HB) Trust which is based in Hastings. and operates in the Napier and Hastings area. Established in 1983 the Disability Resource Centre offers support and assistance to enable disabled people to be fully included in their communities. Tom has been CE at the Trust since 1997, bringing with him a vast amount of public sector experience. He has a very strong interest in community, especially with-in the disability sector. As father to two grown-up children and granddad to two, family plays a large role in Tom's life, along with travel. He has been a member of the VASS Board since 1998.
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Kaumatua: Des Tahatika
Des Tahatika has been VASS Kaumatua for eight years. He works at Gracelands Services in Te Awamutu. Gracelands offer a comprehensive range of services specifically designed to support people whose lives have been disadvantaged by an intellectual or physical disability, injury, illness or through circumstance, and work with each individual to help them achieve their aspirations.
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Our Staff
Tess Casey, CEO
Tess Casey is the Chief Executive Officer of VASS and is based in our Wellington office. Tess began working at VASS part-time in 2001, and was appointed to Chief Executive in 2008. Tess describes one of the highlights of her role as working with VASS members who she admires for their commitment to making a difference to the people they serve. She also values being involved with an organisation that is commited to innovation and learning with an emphasis on always looking at new ways to do things. Tess has a background in communications and community development, with a strong interest in organisational development and how organisations can be supported in their work.
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Leanne O'Connell
Leanne O'Connell joined VASS as Office Adminstrator in February 2011. Having previously worked in the tourism sector, Leanne has found learning about the disability sector very interesting especially as she has two neices with disabilities, making her appreciate and understand some of the challenges they and their families have gone through. Leanne enjoys many apsects of her role particularly her involvement with the Training Fund and the many lovely people she has met and talked to through VASS. Leanne, a mother-of-two is originally from Rotorua but is now based in the Wairarapa, just ten minutes from its famously rugged coastline.
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Gabi Tankersley
Gabi Tankersley joined VASS in October 2011 as Marketing and Communications Officer. Having worked in communications roles for a variety of organisations including NZ Lotteries and Positively Wellington Tourism, this is Gabi's first role within the disability sector - other then a number of articles written during her time as a journalist for the Greymouth Evening Star - and her first role since becoming a mother four years ago. Gabi is very excited to join the VASS team and learn more about the amazing work done by its member organisations throughout the country.
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