Board of Directors

Kim Jenkinson

Chairman

Kim commenced his working career in the Northern Territory in 1987 working in senior secondary education for 14 years. In 2001 he commenced as the Chief Executive Officer of a geospatial startup company commercializing a PhD research project.

Since 2003 he has held senior executive roles in a range of Northern Territory Government portfolios including Training, Employment, and Skilled Migration, International Education, Higher Education, Procurement Policy and Economic Policy.

In late 2017, Kim held the interim role of CEO Batchelor Institute and is currently providing consulting services to Batchelor Institute. 

Kim holds a Masters in Business Administration (International Management), Bachelor of Education and is a graduate of the Advanced Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. 
 

Melissa Yates

Deputy Chairman

Melissa is a Barrister at William Forster Chambers specialising in civil litigation (especially construction litigation and insolvency) and estate litigation and advice.  Melissa has been a lawyer for over 15 years and also teaches undergraduate law students at Charles Darwin University as a lecturer in Moot Court, Succession Law and previously Equity & Trusts.  Melissa has degrees in Accounting, Law and Science (Biotechnology).

Melissa has been a member of boards and local not-for-profit incorporated associations (including a ministerial appointment to Bremer TAFE in Queensland) for over 20 years and brings a great deal of governance, risk management and corporate experience to the board, with a passion for using her skills and experience to benefit the local community.

Terry Lawler

Director

Terry has extensive experience engaging with the industry and has worked with organisations to be a representative voice on multiple workforce development and training issues for all NT Industries. Terry has also previously held the role of Executive Officer of the Transport Engineering and Automotive Training Advisory Council NT.

For over 10 years Terry has been a director on the GTNT Group board and was provided with the opportunity to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors course during his early years with us. Terry uses the knowledge and skills gained from this, every day.

Terry still uses his trade skills as a mechanic, maintaining friend’s vehicles and restoring Classic BMW motorcycles. Terry expansive career path from the farm in southern Tasmania to a mechanic, then trainer, to advisory roles has allowed him to realise many childhood dreams. Terry says that travel is still a key part of his life experiences, but he still loves the NT lifestyle and Territorian friends.

Chris Lay

Director

Chris is Director of property development for the Lay Group, a family owned and run company that has business interests in logistics, wholesale/retail foodservice, commercial and residential property.

Working across many industries and in various roles has given Chris extensive experiences and knowledge which he has applied to the benefit of his customers and suppliers alike. A strong community focus and pragmatic approach, Chris is always looking to put his best foot forward for the Northern Territory.

Avril Baynes

Director

Avril is a long-standing Territorian who brings with her a variety of in-depth business management knowledge and industry insight to the GTNT Group Board. Avril has a background in law gaining her Bachelor’s Degree from a local Territory University. Avril is currently working Skycity Adelaide as the General Manager of Hospitality.

Max Stretton

Director

Max is an Associate at Bespoke Territory working closely with Paul Henderson AO and Mike Burgess AM to provide companies with commercial and political strategy advice in Northern Australia. He has experience as a Lawyer, Judge’s Associate in the NT Supreme Court and Law Clerk. 

He has a Certificate in Sustainable Investing from Harvard Business School (2022), Bachelor of Laws from Charles Darwin University (2019) and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law (2019). In 2017, Max studied law at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and in 2016 studied the Chinese Legal System at China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, China. Max was raised in Indonesia and is passionate about supporting the Indonesia-Australia relationship. 

Samoane Regattieri 

Director

Samoane manages Aboriginal Bush Traders where she provides insights on the various artworks, bush medicines, skin care products, clothing and textiles available, as well as the bush foods on offer in the café and catering business. ABT is a 100% not-for-profit organisation committed to selling ethically sourced and sustainable products that directly support local Indigenous communities. Her savvy business attitude motivates her to always have her finger on the pulse, and to make sure she finds the products customers want.