st michaels our team

Management

Management Team

Mike Thomas
Mike ThomasCEO
Mike joined St Michael’s in 2021, bringing with him over 25 years of leadership and management experience. Mike has had a diverse career across many sectors, including scientific research, politics, transport, financial services and healthcare.
Andy Gower
Andy GowerChief Financial Officer
Andy has more than 10 years’ experience working in the financial sector. He has previously run his own business and brings specialist skills in team-based learning to St Michael’s. He is also a passionate coach of cricket and football umpiring groups.
Ann-Louise Young
Ann-Louise YoungDirector of People and Culture
Ann-Louise has more than 15 years of human resource and learning and development experience. Ann-Louise has a passion for people and assisting them to reach their professional learning goals.
Emma Pearce
Emma PearceDirector of Disability Services
Emma joined St Michaels in 2019 in Launceston as Senior Team Leader before relocating to East Devonport.
After 3 years enjoying the coastal lifestyle and various management positions Emma returned to Launceston and is now Director of Disability Services.
Emma focus is building and developing teams to ensure best service delivery.
Kim Dean
Kim DeanRegistered Training Organisation (RTO) Manager
Kim manages St Michaels Training; our Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Over the 13 years that Kim has been working in an RTO she has gained extensive knowledge of the Vocational Education Sector and has high-level leadership skills in RTO management, compliance and the delivery of training and assessment. Her focus is on positive outcomes for all learners and clients.
Mike Thomas
Mike ThomasCEO
Mike joined St Michael’s in 2021, bringing with him over 25 years of leadership and management experience. Mike has had a diverse career across many sectors, including scientific research, politics, transport, financial services and healthcare.
Brad Ellem
Brad EllemDirector of Disability Services
Brad is a physiotherapist by background who has worked extensively across public health, mental health, disability, private enterprise and not-for-profit sectors. He has a passion for helping teams deliver exceptional services for those in need.
Andy Gower
Andy GowerChief Financial Officer
Andy has more than 10 years’ experience working in the financial sector. He has previously run his own business and brings specialist skills in team-based learning to St Michael’s. He is also a passionate coach of cricket and football umpiring groups.
Grace Johnston
Grace JohnstonDirector of People and Culture
Grace joined St Michael’s in 2021 and has progressed through a number of roles within the People and Culture team before becoming Director of People and Culture.
With experience across all areas of People and Culture, Grace has developed a strong understanding of the organisation, its people and the important role a supported and engaged workforce plays in delivering quality services.
Grace is passionate about creating a positive workplace culture, finding practical solutions and making people processes simpler and more effective. She enjoys working alongside employees and leaders across the organisation and takes a practical, people-first approach to People and Culture.
Merv Ponting
Merv PontingChief Information Officer
Merv is somewhat clever with computers, dangerously funny, and powered mostly by sarcasm. He can fix your Wi-Fi, break it again, blame Windows, Google the solution, then confidently accept praise like he invented the internet.
Elizabeth Meek
Elizabeth MeekRTO Manager
Liz manages St Michaels Training, bringing over 14 years’ experience in vocational education and training. Passionate about quality education, she works with learners, trainers and industry partners to deliver engaging, compliant, industry-focused training that supports student success.
Heath Butt
Heath ButtDirector of Maintenance and Assets
Supervisor of Assets, professional nodder, clipboard enthusiast and master of looking concerned near expensive equipment. Delegates with confidence, inspects from a safe distance, schedules meetings about meetings, and somehow knows exactly when smoko starts.