NRED Presenter Profiles

SAM WHITE,
The People's Republic of Animation

SAM WHITE, The People's Republic of Animation (PRA)

2013 Keynote Speaker

As CEO of The People's Republic of Animation (PRA), Sam White has guided PRA's growth from a group of young, talented artists to a specialised provider of character animation services to the world's leading game publishers such as Sony Computer Entertainment, THQ Inc and Halfbrick Studios.

Sam was a Central Region Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2007. He is also a board member of the Adelaide Film Festival and committee member of the Game Developers' Association of Australia (GDAA).

STEPHAN KNOLL,
Barossa Fine Foods

Advantage SA Speakers in Schools

STEPHAN KNOLL, Barossa Fine Foods

Since taking over the family business in 2004, Stephan Knoll has over tripled the company's turnover and developed a sustainable financial model in a highly competitive industry.
Barossa Fine Foods is a family owned company which manufactures, distributes and retails meat and smallgoods products. It currently has eight stores in South Australia and is opening its ninth. The company supplies products to Coles, Woolworths and independent delis and supermarkets across Australia. About 60% of its products are sold in South Australia and 40% in other Australian states. Despite some challenges, the business has continued to grow. Stephan has introduced a unique online concept store which gives customers the opportunity to engage with products as if they were at a deli counter. Customers request how they want their small goods sliced and are given tips on different cooking methods. The end product is packaged exactly as it would have been if purchased from a deli. To appeal to the convenience-driven Generation Y customers, Barossa Fine Foods has also introduced pre-vacuum packaged products. Stephan is also the Vice Chair of Food SA, and received the Young Achiever Premier Food Award four years ago.

MIKE CHALMERS, Director Buyologists and Board Member of Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO)

Mike Chalmers graduated from The University of Adelaide with degrees in both Economics and Commerce . He was then employed by Boral Energy as a Business Development Analyst and later as Manager of Market Development, responsible for marketing strategy, planning and business development. Mike then decided to leave the corporate world and establish his own business "Add Value Promotions". This nationwide company specialised in the distribution of branded promotional products, and serviced a range of clientele from major corporates through to clubs and small business. They grew rapidly, to a turnover of approximately $3 – $4 million per annum, when Mike sold the business last year, after almost 20 years.

Mike has since established his new business, Buyologists, which helps both people and businesses to make major purchases, to save them money, time and hassle. It may be a new home, a new car, buying a new piece of office equipment.. whatever it is that people need, Buyologists utilises Mikes expertise in negotiation and procurement, to help people get the best possible deal, with the least amount of effort.

Mike is also a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO), a global organisation of some 8,000+ members, that allows likeminded entrepreneurs to connect with each other in order to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

Richard Inwood, Co-owner, Tindo Solar

Tindo Solar is Australia's only manufacturer of solar panels. Australian owned and manufactured in Adelaide, Tindo is the fusion of world-class manufacturing with Australian innovation and creation of the next generation of photovoltaic solar panels. Richard is Manager of People and Business. His role encompasses sales, business and people development.

Richard lives on an 80 acre property with his wife and 2 young boys, they are engaged in a drive towards sustainability and have a Sun Farm (10.5 kW), cattle, sheep, vegetables and fruit trees.

Having young children mixed with the ever present and frustrating lack of awareness and appreciation by the public of climate change has encouraged Richard to explore what he can do both personally and on a larger scale as a public speaker as he discusses topics like climate change, business development and manufacturing jobs in Australia, especially the importance of ensuring that school children understand that fulfilling and rewarding careers are available in these important areas.

Richard has an Executive Diploma in Business Planning, Professional Diploma in Human Resources, Masters in Agricultural Research, Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science, and Degree in Agricultural Science.