The Team

John is a Mackay local whose first introduction to management and business was in several Mackay hotels.  He then spent over 12 years working in the family business, John Carroll Retravision before leaving to pursue an interest in finance. John joined the Power2 Team in 2008.  His first role was to establish and grow Power2's Financial Planning arm and on achieving that goal has moved on to be responsible for the overall management and forward planning within the firm. John has successfully acquired and integrated 6 businesses between Mackay and Brisbane on Power2's behalf. He made each of these acquisitions a success through careful planning followed by aggressive action. He is a strong believer in creating processes and reporting within a business to enable the management and staff to work and communicate more efficiently and therefore more profitably. John has a Bachelor of Information Technology and has almost completed his Master’s Degree in Financial Planning.  He is a fully qualified Financial Planner and an Associate member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.  He is also a Registered Tax Advisor (financial). John is happily settled in Mackay where he lives with his wife Veronica and their four children.

Derek has extensive experience in the Financial Planning Industry and has been providing holistic financial advice to a broad range of clients since 2003. Derek's main areas of expertise are wealth accumulators, pre and post-retirement clients, and self-managed fund advice. Derek received high praise and recognition for being selected as one of the top 50 financial advisers in Australia by Australian Financial Review Smart Investor magazine in 2012 and again now in 2013, after taking part in the annual Master Class exam. This is great recognition of Derek's technical knowledge and ability to apply it. Derek has completed a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Personal Financial Planning from the University of Southern Queensland and is a Certified Financial Planner after completing studies at Deakin University. Derek is also an accredited Life Risk Specialist through the Financial Planning Association and is currently completing his Masters Degree in Financial planning. Derek is happily settled in mackay having moved here in 2003 from his home town in the Darling Downs. He spends his off work time enjoying life with his wife Sam and two children.

Lawrie is a Mackay local who joined the Power2 team in 2012. Lawrie has worked as an Accountant and Business Adviser in the Mackay region since 2002 and as such brings with him a wealth of knowledge concerning local business and the Mackay economy. As well as having a bachelor's degree, Lawrie is also a member of the Certified Practicing Accountants of Australia. Lawrie leads the Power2 Business Services team, providing sound business advice and overseeing the management of our business clients financial requirements, including the preparation of financial statements, income tax returns and business activity statements. Lawrie is a keen golfer who can be found on the Mackay Golf course (often in the trees) trying to improve on his current handicap.

After completing his Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Majoring in Accounting) Bruce moved to Mackay in 2011 to take up a position in a local Accounting firm. He is very passionate about accounting, and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. Bruce is also a qualified tradesman and prior to doing his accounting degree had his own business. Bruce has travelled extensively, living and working in Europe for much of his adult life. He believes that the knowledge he has gained in his previous roles gives him a down to earth practical approach to client matters. He is now a long time Mackay resident living locally with his wife Renata and two children.

Leesa is a long term Mackay resident, growing up part of a local cane farming family. After completing her Accounting degree Leesa spent several years working in Public Practice before moving into the corporate accounting world with Mackay Sugar where she spent 6 years. After a break to focus on her children and family she began her Financial Planning Studies in 2006 and re-joined the workforce as a financial planner in 2008. Since gaining her Post Graduate Diploma in Personal Financial Planning, Leesa has continued her studies to achieve the FPA’s Certified Financial Planner and SMSF Associations SMSF Specialist Adviser qualifications. Leesa enjoys the satisfaction that comes from helping clients as they strive to achieve their life goals. She and her husband Sean enjoy traveling and spending time with their three children.

Karlee joined the Power2 Business services team in June 2012 and since that time has gained a wealth of experience working as a business accountant and tax adviser. She has managed to work full time as an accountant while also successfully completing her Accounting degree part time. Karlee also has a Certificate 2 in Business. She moved to the Mackay area and settled with her family when she was 13 after growing up on a fruit and veg farm in Gumlu. She works with many of Power2's business clients, preparing financial requirements, income tax returns and business activity statements as well as preparing personal tax returns for individuals. In May 2018 Karlee married her partner Dean and together they spend their time staying fit and travelling.

Lina holds a Bachelor of Business – Accounting Degree as well as Certificate IV – Train the Trainer certification along with an excess of 20 years accounting and taxation experience. Prior to joining Power2 Lina and her husband Brenden owned and managed a small business, a Motel and Restaurant, in the Burdekin for 5 years.  Lina also worked for Neato Training Services as a trainer. At Power2, Lina is responsible for the preparation of financial statements and income tax returns for all entities as well as preparing business activity statements.  Lina is a born and bred Mackay local and resides locally with her husband and three children.

Leesa is Mackay local who worked in the accounting business of CE Stevens and Co for 9 Years before the sale of the business to Power2 in 2014. She still looks after her many business clients from her CE Stevens days as well as being responsible for the majority of the individual tax returns completed at Power2. She is friendly and approachable and is very passionate about helping her clients with their business and taxation matters.

Robyn has 23 years’ experience within the finance industry including 16 years with the Commonwealth Bank. After a break from finance working as a Chiropractic Assistant, Robyn returned to the finance industry when an opportunity to join the Power2 team emerged. Having joined Power 2 in July 2011 Robyn is now responsible for managing the scheduling of accounting and tax through the office; from BAS to financial statements, to time-costing and invoicing. Robyn moved to the Mackay area in 1991 from Darwin and now resides in Sarina with her husband and two sons.

Lisa joined the Power2 team in July 2016, bringing with her substantial experience from a career spanning over 20 years in banking, finance and real estate. Lisa understands the importance of providing a high level of customer service. She welcomes visitors with a smile and her understanding and problem solving skills add an extra layer to the Power2 offering. As well as being the first person you'll meet in the office Lisa also provides administrative assistance to the Taxation and Financial Planning teams . Lisa was born and raised in Brisbane, and moved to Mackay in 1994. She enjoys an active lifestyle in weight training and running. In recent years she has completed three half marathons and a full marathon.

Ashleigh has worked in the financial planning industry alongside Derek Fitzgerald, our authorised representative since 2006. Ashleigh holds a Certificate 4 in Business Administration and a Diploma in Financial Planning and is well versed in the administrative complexities of the Financial Advisory world. Ashleigh’s role as Paraplanner is to document advice in simple, compliant and understandable terms for our advisers and their clients. She also implements the advice and assisting clients in their day to day interactions with the business. Ashleigh lives in Mackay with her husband Todd and two children.  Ashleigh enjoys the challenging fast paced environment of Power2 and when you visit our office, either as a new or existing client Ashleigh will be one of the first people you meet.

Zoe holds a Bachelor of Business  (Accounting) and to compliment her studies has ample real life experience having worked previously as an Accounts Assistant within other Mackay firms. Zoe’s role within Power2 involves documenting the advice provided by our Financial Advisers in a clear, compliant and understandable manner for their clients. She also manages much of the admin support for our Financial Planning team.  Zoe moved to Mackay in 2015 from a small mining town called Moura, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and spending time exploring the Mackay regions walking tracks and beaches. Her friendly face will be one of the first you see when you come in to the office.

Sarah graduated high school in 2015 and went on to complete a Business Traineeship through the Mackay Regional Council. At the start of 2017 she started at Power2 as a Financial Planning Assistant. Sarah will be one of the first people you will meet as a client of the Power2 Financial Planning Team. Sarah enjoys the forever changing dynamics of the Financial World and continuously learning, she also loves the organized and fast paced environment that Power2 has to offer. She contributes her always happy and bubbly personality to the Power2 team as well as her enthusiasm to learn. In her spare time Sarah enjoys going to gym, binge watching TV shows, stalking peoples puppies and spending time with her family and friends.

Stacey first worked as a financial planning assistant during High School while completing her Certificate in Business and thereafter for approximately 6 years where she worked alongside Derek, John and Lawrie.  After marrying her husband Dave, she relocated to Brisbane for a several years before moving back to Mackay to start their own Construction Business. Stacey started working at Power2 in October 2016 and enjoys being part of a team and helping people achieve their financial goals.  Alongside working at Power2 Stacey also helps with the running of her family’s business and cares for her Husband and two happy kids.

Louise has over 10 years’ experience in Mackay within the Financial Planning environment and has a Cert III in financial services to back up her real world knowledge. She enjoys the challenge of working in the fast paced and dynamic environment of Power2 along with the interactions she has with our Financial Planning clients. Lou grew up in Far North Queensland and spent 9 years living in Mount Isa before deciding to call Marian home for the last 12 years with her husband Heath and two young daughters. Her family enjoys spending time camping and exploring everything Australia has to offer.

Veronica comes from a well-known local family. She has been associated with Power2 since 2008 when she and her husband John first became a part of the business. Over that time her calm and centered approach has contributed to each phase of Power2’s growth, watching it expand from a little tax office to the comprehensive Tax, Accounting and Financial Planning business it has become. She currently works within the Financial Planning team but has also spent time within many other parts of Power2. Outside of work Ronnie has a busy life spent socialising with friends and family, coaching and playing netball and caring and supporting her two sons and twin daughters.