Warwick Wilshier (Chair)
Warwick has been in the road freight transport industry since he left school. He completed an Automotive Diesel Apprenticeship and then purchased his first logging truck. He has spent 40 years in the industry and in that time has built a large logging fleet across the central North Island and East Coast regions. He first joined the Rotorua Licenced Carriers Association which later amalgamated into Road Transport Association Region 2. Committed to building safety practice and improving outcomes, Warwick is a founding member of the successful Log Transport Safety Council and has been chair for more than 20 years. In 2020, Warwick was inducted into the New Zealand Road Transport Hall of Fame in recognition of outstanding service to the industry.
Deborah O’Brien
Deborah is managing director, of Debz Transport in the Hutt Valley. Following her father into the road transport industry, Deborah has established herself as a successful operator in her own right in both metro and line haul transportation, and storage services. Deborah has also recently acquired a freight forwarding company in Rongotai. Deborah has a long governance service in the industry, including as a director of Road Transport Association, and is a previous regional president. She is a strong supporter of women in business and governance and this is evidenced by her involvement in associated groups and activities.
Brett Hamilton
Brett has been in the transport industry for 21 years – his entire working career. HIs first decade was spent as a qualified diesel technician, however Brett had early ambitions to operate a heavy transport fleet. In 2011, Brett joined Open Country Dairy as an owner driver operating a modern milk collection tanker, from there he has grown his own fleet at the same time managing Southern milk transport for Open Country. Currently, Brett is managing director of BLH Holdings Ltd, General manager southern milk transport, and Talley’s group fleet manager. I thoroughly enjoy my time in the transport world, is consists of a fantastic bunch of people doing an essential service for New Zealand communities.