Jeremy Shaw

HRIA National President
Jeremy Shaw

Jeremy is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Master Hire in Rocklea QLD, a position he has held since 2014.

Jeremy started out working at on Saturdays and school holidays when he was in his early teens sweeping floors and washing machines in the family hire business. In addition to his many roles, Jeremy worked at Conplant from 2005-2014 as a Client Services Manager and then QLD Sales Manager.

As a Board member, Jeremy hopes to share his knowledge and experiences gained over the last 18 years in the hire industry. His initial 5 years as QLD President in the late 2000s was invaluable for personal growth and development. Jeremy also participated in the Global Rental Exchange program in 2017 traveling to the US. Jeremy enjoys the networking opportunities that arise from being a part of this great association and feels truly honoured and humbled to have been asked to be National President for the HRIA.

When asked what he is passionate about, Jeremy says, ‘I thrive on seeing my team grow in their knowledge and skills throughout their professional journey that I played a part in. Whether that be sales processes and techniques, an increased attention to detail with contracts and pricing, networking, or conversations with customers. I am also very passionate about branding, and I love to be part of a team that work towards a common goal and where egos are left at the door. As we all have different life experiences and ways of learning, we can all contribute in different ways. ‘

Mark Burton

HRIA Past President
Mark Burton

Mark is the Director of Barossa Valley Hire, Barossa Function Hire and Barossa Sand and Metal located in South Australia which he purchased in February 1994.

Mark joined the SA committee in 1999 and then joined the Board of Directors when he became the SA Division President in 2011, a position he held until 2014.  Mark held the position of National President from September 2017 to November 2022.

Mark has been in the hire industry for 23 years and with his wife Trish and their sons Blake and Travis, has grown his current business over those years. Their business has won numerous awards over the years including the SA Great Small Business Award in 2004, 2006 and 2010.  In 2007 Barossa Valley Hire became the first SA company to win Rental Company of the Year and winning again in 2010.

As a Board Member, Mark hopes to be remembered for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the industry and Association.  Mark loves the people he meets in the everyday running of his business. Although not a 9-5 job it can be extremely rewarding if you put in the hard yards and has given him the opportunity to leave a legacy to his family.

HRIA Vice President
Tony Symons

Tony is the General Manager of Commercial at Kennards Hire, where he started working in April 2000. Previously holding the position of WA Division President from 2005-2011, Tony was welcomed back onto the Board in December 2019.

Tony has worked in the industry since 1993 with broad experience including Hire Controller, Spare Parts Manager, Purchasing Manager, State Manager, Marketing Manager, Business Development Manager and State General Manager.

As a Board member, Tony would like to give back to the industry, be a voice in the broader community and promote the industry. Tony feels he can help the Association raise the profile and standards of the industry as well as grow membership and add value to membership.

Tony loves the variety of the industry. There is so much change occurring and no two days are the same.

Erin Johnston

HRIA Events Division
President
Erin Johnston

Erin has been the owner/director of South Coast Party Hire since 2009 and joined the Board as the Interim Events Division President in 2018.

In the past 9 years Erin’s role as business owner has encompassed everything from building the business, sales, operations, delivery and logistics. Being the owner has allowed Erin to have exposure to all aspects of running an event hire business.

As a Board member, Erin hopes to contribute actively to the HRIA by helping to create new and innovative ideas to attract and retain members in the Event Hire sector as well as draw attention to some of the unique issues facing the Event Hire sector as it tends to be quite unique in its requirements compared to that of the General Hire sector.

Erin loves the constant change in the industry which results in constant challenges. Every client is different and unique with specific needs and she loves contributing to an event in any small or large way to watch it all come together.

Emmanuel Georgoudis

HRIA NSW President
Emmanuel Georgoudis

Emmanuel has recently been promoted to the National Operations Centre Manager at Coates where he has worked since 2005 when it was National Hire.

Joining the Board as NSW President in 2022, Emmanuel has been on the NSW Executive Committee since 2021.

With 17 years in the hire industry, starting straight out of school, Emmanuel has held many roles including accounts payable clerk, sales coordinator, hire controller and branch manager.

Emmanuel participated in the HRIA Young Professionals Program and was selected by the American Rental Association as one of the Top 12 Rental Managers under 40 to Watch across the world!

As a Board member, Emmanuel hopes to help continue growing and improving the industry by achieving goals and assisting companies, projects and providing solutions across the country. Being able to share experiences and ideas to overcome challenges we have as an overall industry is very exciting.

When asked what he loves about the industry, Emmanuel has this to say, ‘It would have to be the satisfaction of solving issues and providing solutions to customers’ problems on a daily basis. What we do in the hire industry is so diverse, and every day really is different… Even the niche sectors we are involved in such as providing equipment to maintain our Navy ships in the largest dry dock in the southern hemisphere and being fortunate enough to experience this through my own eyes is something you are not privy to in most other industries. And of course, the people are amazing in our industry, it’s great to work with such passionate people.’

Troy Moulder

HRIA QLD President
Troy Moulder

Troy is currently the National Sales Manager at Winch Hire where he has worked since 2019.

Troy joined the Board in November 2022 when he became HRIA Queensland President.

In 2000 Troy began his involvement in the Hire Industry when applying for a position with SA Access. Working for Access Hire and Force Access, Troy moved to Brisbane where he consulted for Aim Hire, worked with Grove Hire and ultimately settling at Winch Hire.

As a Board member, Troy is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the industry on a different level. He looks forward to networking with our members and seeing what drives them in their business and listening to their stories.

Troy is passionate about helping others succeed and watching them grow. He loves helping business owners succeed and understand their true potential. ‘There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a colleague, friend or child succeed at something you have helped with.’

Ben Quirk

HRIA SA President
Ben Quirk

Ben is General Manager of Blackwood Hire, a family business he worked in growing up. Ben has succeeded his father in this role and has had over 17 years’ experience in hire.

Joining the board in 2017, Ben would like to help grow the membership and engage with it in South Australia, while contributing to the board to keep improving the association and industry.

Ben has great passion for the hire industry, and is willing to discuss any topic with members and help where he can.

Ash Woodcock

HRIA VIC / TAS President
Ash Woodcock

Ash is the CEO and Director of RPM Hire Australia. He established RPM Hire in 2011 with three VMS Boards. Ash joined the HRIA Board of Directors in November 2022 as the Victorian / Tasmanian President.

Having previously worked at Glen Iris Hire, Ash has over 13 years’ experience in the hire industry. In addition to being CEO, Owner and Director, Ash has worked as a yardman, driver, operations assistant.

As a Board member Ash hopes to give back to the industry by encouraging and strengthening inter-industry relationships. What does Ash love about the hire industry? ‘The fast paced nature, problem solving challenges and the ability to be the best part of someone’s day.’

Craig Palmer

HRIA WA President
Craig Palmer

Craig joined Classic Hire as the Business Development Manager in Perth after selling his own business in November 2019.

Craig has been in the hire industry since 1984 when he worked for Cockburn Hire straight out of school. He has also worked for Wreckair, Coates Hire and The Cat Rental Store. He has held various roles in the industry including starting on the ground floor rolling air hoses and welding leads to branch manager, management in the industrial, mining and oil and gas sectors.

As a Board member, Craig would like to make a positive contribution to the HRIA Board, members and committees by sharing the knowledge, experience and education he has been so lucky to receive. Craig believes contributing to the HRIA sustainability for the future and for members is key.

When asked what he loves about the industry, Craig says the opportunity it has provided to meet lots of people and travel as well as the relationships built along the way.