John Paton
Chief Executive Officer
John has been involved in the community services sector for over 20 years, both at senior management level and Board level, prior to relocating to Tasmania in March 2007. He has managed a number of non-profit disability service organisations supporting people with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities. These services have ranged from local community to state-wide services. He has also managed a Skillshare service in Central Victoria, providing services to people who were long-term unemployed.
John has an appreciation of the issues of good governance from both a Management and a Board perspective, having been on the Board of several non-profit organisations. He has a strong interest in peak bodies in the disability sector, and was on the Board of two Victorian peaks – CIDA (Council of Intellectual Disability Agencies) and ACROD (now known as NDS), where he was the Treasurer for 11 years.
Prior to taking on the role as CEO of Oak Tasmania, John was the CEO of the Victorian Deaf Society (2002 – 2006), and CDEO of Murray Human Services (1996 - 2002). John is currently a Board member of the Tasmanian Council on Intellectual Disability.
Regina Williams
Manager Human Resources
Regina has more than five years experience working in the disability services sector, covering training and development, recruitment, quality assurance and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S).
Regina has wide experience in the development and ongoing maintenance of case-based funding and the pro-rata wage system within Oak Tasmania.
Prior to working in the disability services sector Regina had 17 years experience in the Finance Sector holding roles encompassing customer service, administration, human resources, training and development, workers compensation and risk management. During this time Regina gained her Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, being the inaugural winner of the Workplace Safety Board of Tasmania High Achievement Award.
Regina has a key role in the development of Human Resources and OH&S policies as part of the senior management team.
David Coe
Manager Corporate Services
David has been with Oak Tasmania for 14 years and is currently Corporate Services Manager. He has held senior human resource management and industrial relations positions with a Tasmanian State Government Authority and a local Private Hospital; holds a Bachelor degree in business and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australian Institute of Management.
David is currently the Chair of the State Division of National Disability Services (NDS) and is National NDS Board member, a member of the NDS National Committee on Occupational Health & Safety and the Tasmanian Association of Disability Employment Services (TADES).
Craig Geeves
Manager Walkabout Industries
Craig is the Divisional Manager of Walkabout Industries, a position he has held since 2005. Prior to joining Oak Tasmania, Craig completed apprenticeships in fitting and maching, and baking. Craig spent 15 years in the baking sector in roles as diverse as machine operator, maintenance manager, dough maker, team leader, production supervisor, and plant supervisor. Craig’s main reason for joining Oak Tasmania was so that he could work in a production environment while assisting people to achieve their goals in work and life.
Moira McPherson
Acting Manager
Oak Lifestyle Choices
Moira has a detailed knowledge of the disability sector gained from her varied career experiences in residential, respite, case management, day services and in home Support. She has more than 18 years experience in the disability sector, holds a Diploma in Disability Work and is a committee member of the Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) Tasmanian Branch.
