Tom has extensive experience in negotiations and deep knowledge of what is needed to succeed in small business.

His knowledge includes an intimate understanding of the retail traders act, anti competition laws and other acts affecting the small business owner.

Originally from Scotland.  Tom was a flexographic printer by trade when he and his family immigrated to New Zealand in 1980. 

He  continued his trade in the employment of Whitcoulls, before moving into the printing plate manufacturing side as a company representative, where he increased the sales of polymer printing plates. 

With a partner, Tom founded his own company, Polymer Plate Services,  in Auckland, New Zealand.  The company manufactured polymers,  and grew to become the number one supplier of polymers in New Zealand. 

Tom sold the company in 1995 and moved to Gold Coast, where he became involved in the retail industry.  He ran a newsagency and then, though semi-retired, surf shops. 

Tom's passion for supporting small business operators and fighting for improvements in the environment in which they operate led to him  taking up the presidency of NFIB.  He has contributed extensively to it, both with cash and services, for many years,  Tom continues to invest countless hours helping members and strategizing campaigns to reform the laws and policies that hinder the success of independent business operators.

Russell White's specialty is town planning, development approvals, and environmental issues.  He is also NFIB's specialist advisor on commercial leases.

Russell's experience in development approvals and leases dates back to 1986, when he worked for the state government in Victoria in senior positions with the Department of Planning. 

When development controls were introduced for Melbourne CBD, Russell was the adviso to the committee running those controls and leasing. He also worked on five different committees advising on commercial development, leases, and the viability of shopping centres. 

In 1994, Russell took up property development.  He spent three years developing housing and units, operating a private town planning consultancy business, and working as a commercial outfit builder and consultant for Energy Victoria on energy efficient building design and products.  This work included negotiating property purchases and leases. 

In 1998, Russell semi retired to the Gold coast. He now spends his time consulting on development approvals and researching  and advising on leases. 

Russell  became involved in NFIB in 2000.  He is a member of a number of other community organisations, including Lions and his local Resident Association.  He has been a committee member of a large number of government advisory committees, the state committee of the Local Government Planners Association, Royal Australian Planners Institute and Master Builders Association.

Lorraine's special expertise is in writing policy documents and marketing copy.  She has strong typography and page design and layout skills, and a deep knowledge of the efficient and practical use of computing technology in small businesses.
She is also skilled at writing briefs for lawyers and dispute resolution proposals and letters of offer.

Operator of a small, niche market web hosting service, Lorraine is also able to assist NFIB members to establish and maintain an affordable and effective web presence.

Her experience as CEO of a public company led Lorraine to study compliance, and develop expertise in devising and documenting protection strategies for business operators to avoid legal risks and preserve the integrity of their insurance cover.

NFIB engaged Lorraine and her husband, Peter, to manage it's recent re-branding and image makeover. 

Her deep knowledge of  branding and image management positions her well to assist NFIB members starting new businesses, or seeking to drive growth through effective branding and messaging.

Lorraine is passionate about helping small business to look big and grow, and helping business operators to make the transition from 'owning a job' to growing a sustainable enterprise.