Craig Smith-Gander
Managing Director
Kwik Transport and Crane Hire
Craig has had a life time involvement in sport, which happens when the whole family is inclined that way and when a decade of early adult life is spent in the Army (where lots of sport is played). Craig has played hockey at elite level, rowed surf boats at elite level, and competed in Australia and overseas in cycle road racing. He played lots of rugby union in the army (as you do) and has tried his hand at pretty much every sport available.
Kwik is a supporter of Rugby through its sponsorship of the WA first grade competition, Surf Life Saving through its support of the Aussie championships from 2007-2009, and Basketball as a corporate member of the Wildcats. Craig owns Kwik – the leading provider of On Demand Transport and Crane Hire in Perth.
Craig is President of North Cottesloe SLSC and a past Chair of Surf Sports for Surf Life Saving Western Australia and member of the Australian Surf Sports Advisory Board. He has been involved in the management and promotion of sporting events in cycling and surf.
Ruth Leyland-Cowan
Key Client Manager
Nova 93.7
Ruth Leyland-Cowan has worked in media for some years now, spending time at Channel 7 and various radio stations, even working for some time for Perth Wildcats Chairman, Jack Bendat, when he owned Perth commercial radio stations! The last 8 years have been spent with DMG Radio and Nova 93.7, in a sales/marketing capacity as their Key Client Manager. This means much interaction between Nova 93.7 and our clients, which can hopefully assist Perth Wildcats in their sponsorship drives, corporate development and publicity.
Nova 93.7 and Ruth are passionate supporters of Perth Wildcats, and Ruth was delighted to be invited last year to be a Perth Wildcats Ambassador. It’s been a really positive experience working in association with Perth Wildcats, who are a dedicated, energetic and talented team both on and off the court. Here’s to securing the Championship again in 2011.
Kate O’Hara
General Manager, Marketing & PR
Hawaiian
Kate O'Hara's marketing career begain in the late 1980's and expands across many sectors including retail, tourism, construction, mining and finance. After starting with JMG Marketing, and then spending fours years in Singapore, Kate returned to Perth as Group Account Director and a Senior Manager with The Shorter Group. After several years as State Manager for The Capital Group and following the creation of Intersect Communications consultancy, Kate now oversees Hawaiian's communications strategy across all aspects of the company's business.
Kate is a committee member of The 500 Club, a member of the Black Swan State Theatre Company board, on the Perth Fashion Festival Advisory Board, a Wildcats Ambassador and on the board of Ready to Work
J Barrey Williams
J Barrey Williams spent the first 20 years of his working life in the television industry, starting as a “props boy” on the legendary eastern states “Tonight Shows” of the sixties, through to General Manager of TVW Channel 7, Australia’s highest rating television station.
In 1983 he became Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Monahan Dayman Adams Advertising Group, which was re-named Mojo after a series of mergers, and was appointed a Director of the Asia Pacific Board.
From May 2000 to December 2005 he was Chief Executive Officer of The Western Australian Club.
He now runs a consultancy group specialising in high level networking, marketing and sponsorship for several leading companies and organisations.
J Barrey is a Master of Ceremonies and renowned charity auctioneer.
His community and personal interests are extensive and include;
- Chairman of the Variety Club of Australia 1988-1989 and awarded Inaugural Life Membership 2007
- President of the Naval, Military and Air Forces Club of Western Australia 1990-1991
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Edge Employment and Training Solutions, Australia’s largest organisation which facilitates the employment of intellectually and physically handicapped persons into the open workforce 1993-2005
- Chairman of the Australian-American Catalina Memorial Museum Foundation 2000-present
- Director of the West Australian Opera Company 2000-2005
- Chairman of the Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games Team WA Appeal Committee 2003-present
Anthony Nixon
Managing Director
Kwik Kopy Printing (Perth CBD)
Anthony Nixon left a budding career with KPMG to start Kwik Kopy Printing (Perth CBD) in 1997 and in doing so became the youngest ever franchisee in the 1200 strong international network. Kwik Kopy Perth CBD has since grown to be one of the largest print franchises in Australia.
Recently Anthony has piloted 121 Creative for the franchise, which offers full creative strategy and design services to high end business.
Anthony and Kwik Kopy have been passionate supporters of the Perth Wildcats for many years and worked closely with the Wildcats staff for the past 7 years to provide creative and print solutions.
Anthony was thrilled to follow the team to the 2010 Championship and looks forward to a bright Wildcats future.
Bob Sofoulis
Managing Director
Astib Group Pty Ltd
Bob is co-founder of the Astib Group and Director of all subsidiary companies within the Group. Prior to Astib Group, Bob was in the Instrument Engineering field working in the mining and petrochemical industries and used this knowledge of the resource sector to promote the two-way radio rental managed business throughout the Asia Pacific Region. Bob has built a strong team of professional personnel capable of leading the way in system integration of some of the latest telecommunication technologies. Accordingly, Bob’s primary role is to provide strategic direction to the Astib Group of companies in all areas of the Business.
Bob has been involved with sport at various levels (playing, coaching and management) in Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Netball and is proud to be an ambassador of the Perth Wildcats.
The Astib Group is also proud to be sponsors of the Perth Wildcats and also supports the State Basketball League in sponsoring the Lakeside Lightning basketball club where Bobs two sons play.
