Leadership

Ms Ann Sherry AO

Non-executive Chair (appointed 1 October 2021 - 30 September 2025)

Ann is one of Australia's leading business executives with a career that spans Government, Banking and Cruise Tourism. She is an active philanthropist with a passion for improving opportunities and removing barriers for women in STEM and sport, and supporting opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

Ann is the Chair of UNICEF Australia, Enero Group, the Port of Townsville, Queensland Airports Limited and Circa. She is the Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology, a Non-executive Director of National Australia Bank and a Member of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Beginning her working life as a Radiographer, Ann became First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra before moving to the banking sector initially in HR roles, then in CEO roles with Westpac NZ, the Bank of Melbourne and most recently with Carnival Australia.

The Australian Government awarded Ann the Centenary Medal in 2001 and in 2004 she was awarded an Order of Australia. In 2015 Ann was named as the overall winner of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Award.

Ms Connie Navarro

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2027)

Connie is a legal practitioner with 20 years’ experience in the legal industry.  Connie is a born and bred North Queenslander and an advocate for rural and regional development.

Connie is the Director of Connie Navarro Legal.

With extensive experience and expertise in the areas of commercial, property and business law, Connie has a particular focus on agribusiness, mining, energy and resources, infrastructure and major projects.

Connie holds a Bachelor of Economics – Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from James Cook University and is admitted in the High Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Queensland and Supreme Court of Northern Territory.

Ms Danielle O'Toole

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2021 - 31 May 2024)

Danielle is a civil geotechnical engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the development and delivery of a wide range of multi-disciplined civil, mining and environmental infrastructure projects.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Queensland, is a Fellow of Institute of Engineers Australia and a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland.  She is also a professional member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is a Technical Director at SLR Consulting – a global environmental and advisory solutions firm.

While Danielle is a proud Queenslander, and has called Townsville home with her family since 2013, she has had the opportunity to live and work in multiple locations throughout Africa, as well as closer to home in Western Australia.  This international career journey has seen Danielle become a specialist in mine waste engineering, as well as a recognised and respected dams engineer.

Ms Vanessa (Fernandes) Sullivan BEc(Hons), GradDip(AppFin), GAICD  

Non-executive Director (appointed 13 October 2022 - 30 September 2025)

Vanessa is an experienced Board member for large corporations, driving market based ESG projects, leading the energy transition and driving strong environmental and social outcomes.

Vanessa’s Board and executive experience demonstrate deep financial, commercial and strategic skills including both corporate and government experience in regulated and competitive markets.

Vanessa currently holds Non-Executive Director roles with ASX-listed AGL Energy and privately owned biodiversity and cultural heritage advisor Niche Environment and Heritage.

Vanessa works in a number of pro-bono roles including Chairing the Advisory Board of Centare, a disability and domestic violence support provider in South East Queensland with circa 2,000 staff, and is a member of a Griffith University business school advisory board.

Mr David Waters

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2027)

Dave is an experienced senior executive with a proven record in leading human resources functions across the Queensland public sector for the past 15 years.

Born and raised in Townsville, Dave returned ‘home’ in 2022 to take up the role of Director Human Resources with James Cook University. He has previously held roles as Chief Human Resources Officer with the Department of Health and Department of Transport & Main Roads, and most recently Executive Director, Human Resources at Metro South Hospital and Health Service. Dave has had earlier careers as a Journalist and Union Official.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Arts (Government and Economics) from the University of Queensland and Bachelor of Business (Economics and Human Resources) from QUT. He is a Professional Certified Member with the Australian HR Institute and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Jody Currie

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2027)

Jody is a Professor of Practice at the Queensland University of Technology in the Health Faculty. Jody has over 20 years’ experience in health, housing and human service delivery, with a particular focus on vulnerable families and Aged Care, working in several executive positions in both the community and government sector.  Jody is a Yugambeh person from South East Queensland and has family connections to Palm Island.

Jody was most recently Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane.  She established ATSICHS Brisbane as a Nationally Registered Early Childhood Education provider, a Nationally Registered Housing Provider, and a Registered National Disability Insurance Scheme Provider.

Jody is a member to the Federal Government's National Aged Care Advisory Council and currently a Non Executive Director on Cape York Partnership, Brisbane North Primary Health Care Network, Opera Queensland and Hearing Australia and has expertise in workforce strategy, government and stakeholder engagement.

Mr John Lee

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2027)

John Lee has enjoyed a highly successful career leading both private sector organisations and government departments. He has extensive experience in the Transport, Tourism, and the Sport sectors. He is currently the Chair of the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce, a strategic advisor to the Australian Olympic Committee and Egis who are a global construction engineering company.

He is Chairman of SportsGrid a sports data, membership and event technology company as well as Chair of the ACU Elite Athlete and Performers Programme.

Prior to being the Director-General of the Qld Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, John had been a Co-founder of two start -ups in the allied Health area focused on well-being and occupational rehabilitation (Santegis and the Change Room).

Ms Ranee Crosby

Chief Executive Officer

Ranee has more than 20 years' experience in the port and shipping industry. As CEO of Port of Townsville Limited, she has overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, direction and operation of the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda. 

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Ranee held a number of senior executive positions in commercial, planning, property and governance fields.  Born and raised in North Queensland, she has led, managed and advised on a number of major infrastructure investments and economic opportunities for the region and Northern Australia, and has a comprehensive understanding of port and supply chain operations.

Ranee holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from James Cook University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She sits on a number of boards and committees including Ports Australia and Townsville Enterprise Limited.

Mr David Sibley

General Manager Strategy, Finance and Governance

David has extensive experience across financial and corporate management within government, profit and not-for-profit entities. He has been responsible for formulating and implementing long term strategic, operational, and financial plans; commercialising government service units, implementing major government reforms within agencies, and improving bottom line results in both non-profit and for-profit entities.

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University and is a Fellow of CPA Australia

Mr Drew Penny

General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety

Appointed as General Manager of Operations in April 2018 and then to General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety in October 2019, Drew Penny brings a wealth of operational and leadership experience gained over 15 years in the mining industry to the Port of Townsville. Drew’s management experience covers various areas including operations & logistics, maintenance, projects, organisational change and commercial.  He believes in building collaborative relationships, driving process discipline and delivering safe successful outcomes for the business. 

Drew holds a Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics (Hons) from James Cook University.

Mr Mark McNeil

General Manager Assets, Planning and Environment

Mark has over 20 years’ leadership experience in highly regulated environments for complex infrastructure assets; holding senior management roles in global projects, professional environmental/engineering service organisations and essential service providers.

Mark has worked in highly regulated and sensitive ecological environments including uranium mining in Kakadu National Park, long term effluent discharges into the Great Barrier Reef and Coal Seam Gas (CSG) extraction.

He has led the strategic direction and business plan execution of the asset management function for utilities infrastructure (civil, mechanical, electrical, process) for the Australia Pacific LNG project; several large municipalities and large-scale mining operations. Mark was part of the formation of the Safety Executive Group for the Victorian water industry which is accountable for developing strategies to unify the industry and achieve a safer work environment.

Mr David McLoughlin

General Manager Project Delivery

Dave has significant experience as a senior executive leading critical infrastructure teams in both Victoria and Queensland. He has worked extensively in operations, maintenance, engineering and asset management across aviation, communication, information technology and transportation fields. Dave is a strong believer in cross functional collaboration to achieve good sustainable outcomes for both the community and investors alike.  

Dave holds a Bachelor of Engineering Management (Hons) from the University of Lincoln, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Fellow of both Engineers Australia and the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Ms Vikki Brown

General Manager People, Technology & Performance

Vikki Brown is a distinguished executive and serves as the General Manager of People, Technology, and Performance at the Port of Townsville. With a career spanning over two decades and encompassing both international and domestic experiences, Vikki brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to her role.

Having navigated diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Vikki's international experience has honed her strategic vision and global perspective. Her tenure at BHP, a global mining leader, saw her spearheading transformative initiatives across multiple continents, elevating functions to achieve top quartile performance on a global scale.

Backed by a Bachelor's degree in Organisational Learning and a Masters Degree in Global Business Administration, Vikki leverages her extensive knowledge and background to orchestrate operational excellence, driving innovation and growth. Her multifaceted skills in human resources, technology, business development, and transformation play a pivotal role in propelling the port towards its strategic goals, both domestically and on the global stage.