Background:
Don Geare has a general management background, having managed a variety of manufacturing and service businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Don served an eight year business “apprenticeship” with Unilever, in the UK, during which he achieved formal qualifications in Business Management and Accounting. He gained complex manufacturing experience as a Cost and Management Accountant, before going on to serve in Administration and Commercial management roles. He enjoyed success with his own trading business, before fulfilling a world travel dream that took him to some 40 countries over a 10 year period.
Don broadened his manufacturing and costing knowledge by undertaking a variety of management contract roles within manufacturing businesses, in Sydney, London, Auckland, and Christchurch. During this time he undertook a professional writers’ course. Having travel articles published allowed him to combine his love for travel and business.
In Western Australia since 1995, Don has served as CEO with two primary industry co operatives, and has been intensely involved in food processing, value adding, and export of food products to areas in South East Asia, India, Bangladesh, Japan, China, and the Middle East.
Don was named Telstra SW (WA) Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year 1997 in recognition of export and business expansion achievements. Businesses under his management were awarded Telstra SW Small Business Overall winner 1998, WA Industry and Export Agribusiness of the year 1999 and 2000, WA Industry and Export Exporter of the year 1999.
More recently, Don has been involved with small business in the South West of Western Australia, and as Business Manager of Bunbury Air Conditioning and Electrical Services (2005-7), saw growth from 7 to 30 employees, with a corresponding increase in turnover and profitability. Bunbury Air was named Best Business (10 - 50 employees) in the SW (WA) 2007 Small Business Awards, Best Business Achiever in the 2006 WA Regional Small Business Awards, and the overall winner in the 2007 WA Regional Small Business Awards.
Don lives in Bunbury, WA, with his wife and four children.