3 November 2007

Finest Business Managers Distinguished at MEA State Final

The AIM Management Excellence Awards is one of the few awards focused on identifying individuals whose vision, skill and integrity brings a significant positive impact to the environment and inspires others to exceed.

Richard Cottee from Queensland Gas Company in Brisbane took the spot for Professional Manager of the Year and was described by the judges "as a maverick whose passion and unrelenting personal convictions have helped him and the company in their successful reformation of many of Queensland regional communities."

Ross Mylrea from A Man's Toyshop in Rockhampton won the Owner Manager of the Year category, having impressed the judges with his "courage, strong vision, leadership, through training, humility and brilliant marketing skills."

The Young Manager of the Year award went to Tania Cobham of Arup Water, Cairns for her vision to reduce our footprint on the planet by introducing social conscience into engineering design.

Gladstone's Jill Loane won Rural Remote Manager of the Year for her achievements in establishing the Community Response Centre at the Banana Shire Council, impressing the judges with "her determination, focus, drive and an unwillingness to accept that it could not be done."

The 2007 Medal for Management Innovation went to Dr Maha Sinnathamby, Chairman and Founder of Springfield Land Corporation. He was commended for his innovative approach in creating a world-class, modern city that tackles the challenges of building a new community and socially uplifting an economically depressed region of South East Queensland.

The medal, conferred by the Board of the Australian Institute of Management, seeks to honour stand-out business leaders who have demonstrated breakthrough innovation on the Australian and world stage.

AIM CEO Carolyn Barker said this year's winners were all exceptionally talented and successful people in their own field who have made a difference in their industry.

"The five categories are of equal importance as they each represent unique management capabilities that are vital for Australia's business success and growth," Ms Barker said.

"The calibre of the finalists is increasing every year, making the judging process extremely difficult. However, this affirms the awards' success in attracting Australia's best managers who truly stand out from the crowd."

The Management Excellence Awards have grown over the years to become a prestigious event on the Queensland corporate calendar. Regional finals are held in the run up to the State final in Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Townsville.

This year's Management Excellence Awards Gala Dinner was a sell-out evening at Brisbane's Sofitel Hotel, packed with 600 of the state's most outstanding business managers. Channel Nine personality, Heather Foord hosted the event and guests were entertained by Guy Sebastian and international comedian Scott Williams.

For further information, please contact Helen Thomas at Sequel Communications on (07) 3251 8133 or 0438 500 412.