Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

David Tuxford, General Manager, Georges River Council

DAVID'S VISION

As President, I am proud of our achievements over the past year and excited continue leading us towards even greater success in the upcoming term. We have significantly grown our membership, now exceeding 1000 members, focused on member engagement and enhanced member benefits across various areas. Our networking opportunities have expanded both domestically and internationally, and we have ensured the financial sustainability of our Association. We have also made strides in gender and geographical diversity, with 52% female membership and 80% of the sector’s general managers in our community.

We have strengthened our federation with state and international partners, fostering relationships that support knowledge exchange
across disciplines. Our advocacy efforts focus on issues impacting our members, developing robust relationships with key stakeholders.

Looking ahead, we have ambitious goals. We aim to further increase membership, enhance member benefits, and promote
diversity. Our professional development programs will expand with contemporary offerings, we will increase scholarship opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives will provide more opportunities for knowledge and resource sharing.

As we look to the future, I am filled with optimism as we continue to build on our successes, explore new opportunities for growth, and strive to provide even greater value to our members. Together, we will navigate the challenges ahead and achieve new heights for our Association.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to serving you as President for another term.

VICE PRESIDENT

Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Municipal Council

CRAIG'S VISION

I have had the privilege of serving on the LG Professionals NSW Board since 2018 and it continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my local government career.

Being a member of the Board allows me to contribute to the broader local government sector and provides me with an opportunity to be able to assist our members shape the conversations that are important to our industry. 

With 11 years’ experience as a General Manager across both regional and metropolitan Councils, I believe I am able to give a voice to a range of perspectives on issues facing local government. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected to the Board, I give all our members a commitment that I will continue to ensure I hear what is being said by our members across the State and that I will represent those views on the Board and beyond.

My vision for the association is that we continue to grow from strength to strength as a reliable partner and a trusted source of information for our members. This will be achieved by ensuring we collaborate with our members through providing an innovative program of events, training and networking opportunities.

With change being a constant, it is critical that we have a strong and united voice that supports us through those changes and challenges. If re-elected, I will dedicate much time and energy to ensuring that our members are heard and that we can continue to grow stronger together.

DIRECTOR

Melissa Attia, Director Corporate Performance, Deputy General Manager, Cumberland Council

MELISSA'S VISION

I am a passionate advocate for the impacts local government has on our communities.

My thorough knowledge of the organisations we operate in has allowed me to implement innovative solutions to people, governance, communication and finance/resourcing challenges, also influenced by the lens of complex political environments I've had to navigate.

I am proud to have had the opportunity to mentor junior staff within and outside of my own organisation.

I have seen this professional association go from strength to strength and my own involvement in it has increased, mainly due to being encouraged by its improved offerings. I have been both a learner and participant at various conferences and programs, as well as having had the opportunity to speak at and provide input about sharing knowledge and experiences at various forums.

I have enjoyed the connections formed through this association and hope to continue to be able to promote its benefits.

Local Government is at a crossroads in many ways, be it funding, competition for labour and other resources or even simply the need to be rebranding to continue to build trust with our communities. This association has a pivotal role to play in shaping the direction of the sector in addressing these challenges.

Joining the Board of LG Pro will allow me to continue to invest in a sector I love, and to shape how this association develops the next generation of leaders who will influence their communities through their work, long after I am gone.

DIRECTOR

Alison Balind, Director Corporate and Community Services, Bland Shire Council

ALISON'S VISION

With almost 20 years of experience in Local Government, I have seen firsthand how a well-developed and engaged workforce leads to stronger community outcomes. That’s why my dedication to supporting professionals in this sector remains as strong today as it ever was.

Local Government Professionals Australia, NSW is an Association that has long played a crucial role in advancing careers through professional development, networking, and learning opportunities. Having been actively involved in LG Pro networks through the Integrated Planning & Reporting and Governance Executive, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to these efforts.

My work with these networks and others has reinforced the value of collaboration in addressing sector-wide challenges. Providing input to advocacy on issues impacting local government, I’ve maintained a solutions-focussed approach for the benefit of both local government professionals and the communities they serve.

Local government is a critical part of our society with its successes relying heavily upon the quality and capacity of those who work within Councils. LG Professionals commits itself to supporting the sector and as a current member of the board, it has been a great privilege to be directly involved in representing the interests of the Association’s members.

As I continue my journey with LG Professionals NSW, I remain committed to advocating for our members, shaping meaningful programs, and fostering opportunities for career and personal growth. I look forward to supporting and engaging with you all as we work together to strengthen our sector.

DIRECTOR

Geoff Burton, Business Planning and Performance Manager, City of Sydney

GEOFF'S VISION

NSW councils are facing many challenges ranging from climate change to financial sustainability to attracting and retaining quality staff. Communities are recovering from floods and fires, pressures from growth and development, all amongst a changing political environment. Our communities have growing and dynamic expectations.

The question for all of us in local government is how we face these challenges. We need to focus on the capacity and capability of our own staff and work with our stakeholders and community to do this.

My vision is that LG Professionals can work across local government to create opportunities to address these issues and at the same time, enable us to be better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow that face us all.

With more than 40 years experience in local government, 2 qualifications based on local government, my membership of LG Professionals for over 30 years, board membership for the last term and chair of the Integrated Planners network since 2019, I feel I can add value and insights to the board discussions.

I have deep experience in asset management, financial management, service reviews, and business intelligence. My current role focuses on IP&R planning and financial systems amongst other projects at the City of Sydney.

I desire to continue to serve on the board, to maximise the best value for all members, to develop our own capabilities and continue to make the association an essential membership choice for new and existing council professionals.

DIRECTOR

Mark Griffioen, General Manager, Bellingen Shire Council

MARK'S VISION

I have worked in local government for 30 years across Australia and New Zealand, including in remote, regional and rural councils. That experience has given me a strong appreciation of the people who work in our sector and the essential role councils play in supporting communities, strengthening places and delivering services that matter.

My vision is for Local Government Professionals NSW to continue building the capability, confidence and leadership of the local government sector. The Association has an important role in supporting professionals at every stage of their career, creating practical development opportunities, advocating for the profession, and helping councils respond to increasing complexity.

I am particularly committed to ensuring regional councils and professionals are strongly represented in sector-wide conversations. Regional councils often face the same expectations as larger organisations, but with fewer resources and less capacity. Their voice and experience need to remain central to the work of the Association.

As a Director, I bring 30 years’ sector experience, senior executive leadership, board and governance capability, and a strong commitment to ethical, collaborative and practical leadership.

DIRECTOR

Todd Hopwood, Manager Customer and Business Integrity, Wollongong City Council

TODD'S VISION

Serving on the Board of Local Government Professionals NSW has been an incredible honour. I'm excited about the opportunity to continue representing the amazing professionals in our local government sector here in NSW.

With 28 years of experience in local government, I can genuinely say there's no career more fulfilling than serving our local communities. As the Manager of Customer and Business Integrity at Wollongong City Council, and at a range of other Councils, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of you, and I’m passionate about the people who make up our membership and the broader sector.

During my time on the Board, I’ve been a strong advocate for our member networks and our weekly Webinar Wednesday program.

These initiatives have been fantastic for fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, which I believe are the true strengths of our community.

As many would know, mental health and wellbeing are causes close to my heart. I’ve served on the Boards of several mental health and men’s health charities and have been recognised internationally for my advocacy work. I’m committed to continuing this focus on the Board, ensuring we advance the professional standing and overall wellbeing of our members.

I’m also proud to have been a finalist in the Governance Top 100 for the last four years, which underscores my dedication to excellence in governance, customer service, and risk management.

I’m here to support and enhance the professional lives of our members, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving you.

DIRECTOR

Cian Middleton, General Manager, Liverpool Plains Shire Council

CIAN'S VISION

I’ve worked in the local government sector for 15 years, exclusively at country councils – excluding a brief stint on “the dark side” consulting back to the sector – which has equipped me with an excellent understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our members. I would relish the opportunity to draw on this experience and pay it forward as a member of the LG Professionals NSW Board.

I’m genuinely passionate about LG Professionals and the important work it does in supporting our members to develop their knowledge, skills and networks. I’ve been actively involved in the association over recent years as a member of our Governance

Network Executive, and previously the Next Gen Executive, and have enjoyed contributing to our association through facilitating and presenting at our annual Governance Intensive Course, Governance Conference and Governance Forums.

I’m proud of the role LG Professionals plays in supporting our members develop their skills, knowledge and networks. Developing our training and mentoring programs must be prioritised, to ensure we’re attracting and retaining the talent our sector needs to confront the challenging landscape ahead and deliver quality outcomes for our communities. A strong advocacy program is essential, given our changing landscape and the impacts of cost shifting and major governance changes on our sector.

I am solutions-focused and enjoy shaping and executing corporate strategy. If elected, I look forward to being a strong and energetic voice for our members – particularly our young professionals and emerging leaders – and contributing to the future of our association.

DIRECTOR

Richard Sheridan, Director City Performance, Bayside Council

RICHARD'S VISION

Richard Sheridan is the Director of City Performance at Bayside Council, overseeing departments such as Information Technology, Finance, Customer Experience, Governance and Risk, and Procurement and Fleet. He is crucial in enhancing the council's operational efficiency and service delivery.

With a strong background in local government and visionary leadership, Richard has driven key initiatives, significantly improving customer experience and operational performance. His expertise in navigating complex financial landscapes and implementing effective governance practices has earned him recognition within and beyond the council.

In addition to his professional achievements, Richard is a regular speaker at industry events, sharing insights on local government finance and performance management. He has presented at the LG Professionals Finance Intensive, US Finance Conferences, GM Forums, and other transformation events. His commitment to excellence is reflected in his active participation in board roles with Civic Risk Mutual, CPA Australia, Scouts NSW, and as Chair of the Local Government Finance Executive.