The Board sets the strategic direction of the Commission which is aligned with the needs of community and business. Membership comprises the CEO and six regional representatives who are appointed by the Minister for Regional Development. The Board meets 5 times per year in various locations throughout the Peel region. Any person or group wishing to make a presentation to the Board should telephone the Commission on 9535 4140 and ask to speak with the Executive Officer.
Board Members
Davi
d Doepel
Chair
Ministerial Representative
David Doepel is already well known in the Peel region through his work with Murdoch University and the Future Food Cooperative Research Centre. Mr Doepel has more than 40 years of experience as an innovator and entrepreneur and has held senior positions in industry, academia and government in Australia and the USA. He is currently Managing Director of Demand Film Ltd, and an active farmer focusing on horticulture ag-tech and value-added foods and beverages. He also serves as part of the management team for Food Science Research Strategy at Murdoch University. He was formerly the inaugural Trade Commissioner for WA in the Americas, a policy adviser and speechwriter to Premier Alan Carpenter and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at Murdoch University and is first author of The Murdoch University Third Commission on Africa. David holds degrees from Murdoch University, the Melbourne College of Divinity and Boston University. Mr Doepel has been on the PDC Board since January 2020 and has been Chair since July 2021.
Mayor Rhys Williams
Deputy Chair
Local Government Representative
In October 2021, Mayor Rhys Williams was convincingly elected by the Mandurah community for a second term, receiving 85% of the community vote. In his role as Mayor, Rhys has made a strong commitment to economic diversification, community wellbeing and addressing youth unemployment. Prior to this role, Rhys ran a successful youth development charity which he founded when he was 17, and worked on projects in more than 100 communities across Australia and abroad. In 2015, Rhys received the Young West Australian of the Year award in recognition of this work.
Rhys is a board director of the South Metropolitan TAFE and the Peel Development Commission, and is a former Chairman of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and several non-profit organisations. He is currently completing a Masters in Development Studies at Murdoch University.
Cr David Bolt
Local Government Representative
David was elected Shire of Murray President in October 2017 and appointed to the PDC Board in 2021. He is also Chair of the Rivers Regional Council and Pinjarra Senior High School. David’s extensive career in the information and communications technology sector sets him apart as a strategic and innovative leader, adept at leveraging transformative technologies and concepts to drive business success. His experience spans executive management and board positions at top-tier international and publicly traded Australian corporations, where he has delivered cutting-edge IT products and tech-centric consulting services to governments and businesses across the spectrum. David is married with two adult children and lives in the beautiful and fast-growing Peel Region of Western Australia.
Michelle Sidebottom
Community Representative
Michelle Sidebottom’s professional experience has seen her design, develop, and implement local to major State-wide business and workforce developmental projects with the private sector, non-profits, peak industry associations, and local, State and Federal government agencies. A graduate of Harvard University’s ‘Harvard Kennedy School – Leading Economic Growth Executive Program’, Michelle is the Director of Breakaway Tourism Pty Ltd and Avocet Island Pty Ltd. Key roles include facility management of hospitality and tourism properties in Mandurah, Rockingham, and Geraldton; project management; Aboriginal tourism development services; and consultancy in the sectors of tourism, hospitality, accommodation, recreation, business, and workforce development. Additional roles include Board Member – Peel Development Commission, Deputy Chair – Coolibah Care Inc, and Chair – Hospitality Industry Advisory Group South Metropolitan TAFE (Peel Campus). Michelle has worked extensively across Australia, Japan and Malaysia and is a former Board Member of Visit Mandurah and Judge for the Australian and WA Tourism Awards, Australian Hotels Association (WA) Awards, and Clubs WA Awards for Excellence.
Sue Daley
Community Representative
Sue Daley was appointed to the Board in December 2021. Sue is a successful business owner, specialising in the management of residential and commercial property transformations. She has extensive facilitation and project management skills along with significant experience in analytical roles within varied business environments. Sue is the co-founder/owner of Maiolo Constructions Pty Ltd, specialising in renovations and alternative construction methods and has started a new business venture called Pocket Condos – Tiny Homes in WA, which she sees as a solid solution for the current housing crisis. Sue is community focused, an advocate of the local supporting local ideal and a champion for women in business. This is evidenced by her position as Secretary of the South Yunderup/Ravenswood Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and her previous role as Chapter leader for Business Women Australia Mandurah/Murray.
Vacant position
Ministerial Representative
If you wish to contact any of the Commission’s Board members, telephone the Commission on (08) 9535 4140 and ask for the Executive Officer or email eo@peel.wa.gov.au. Board member positions are advertised in the newspaper and on the Board Vacancies section of this website.