Our Board

John Rothwell has played a major role in the development of the Australian aluminium shipbuilding industry and is a Founding Director of Austal Ships. In January 2004, John Rothwell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to the Australian shipbuilding industry through the development of trade links and for significant contributions to vocational education and training. In March 2010 John accepted the role of Patron of Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA), taking over from Harold Clough who retired in 2008. John has been a major financial contributor to cystic fibrosis (CF) research and continues to provide sound mentoring and advice to the organisation despite having no direct connection to CF.

Carolyn has over 40 years’ experience with CF, having been diagnosed with CF in 1971 and undergoing a successful double lung transplant in 1994. Carolyn works as a Personal Assistant for an Associate Clinical Professor of Endocrinology, and for a Doctor of Immunology. She joined the Board of CFWA in 2010 being elected as Vice President in 2017. Carolyn is a regular speaker and advocate for people living with CF and a tireless fundraiser. Carolyn was elected as President in 2018.

Richard is a highly experienced CEO and senior manager of ASX listed companies. He is a qualified accountant and is an Associated Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants. He commenced his career with Arthur Andersen in 1989, and subsequently worked at Mainsheet Corporate, GRD, Clough, Austal, Thrifty WA, Aus Fleet Solutions and subsequently moved back to Clough in 2015. Richard joined the Board of CFWA in 2009 and took on the role of Treasurer. He held this position until 2013, when he had to step down in accordance with the Association’s Constitution. He was subsequently elected President in April 2014. Richard was elected at Vice President in 2018.

Simon started his career with Ernst and Young where he worked for three years and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Simon was the General Manager of Network TEN Perth and worked for the Perth station since 1996. Simon joined the Board of CFWA in 2012 and is a parent of a child with CF. In late 2014 Simon relinquished his role as Vice President of CFWA to take up a temporary position of acting CEO for CF Australia whilst a new CEO was recruited. During that time, he was granted a leave of absence from the Board of CFWA, re-joining in May 2015 subsequently being appointed Treasurer at the 2017 AGM. Simon is currently Chief Operating Officer at WA primary Health Alliance.

Feliciano is an executive level engineer with experience in project delivery and business management. Feliciano has experience in managing company business units and project delivery with engineering companies, resource companies and public utilities as well as reporting to boards of management. Feliciano joined the Board of CFWA in 2006 and held the position of President from 2008-2012 and vice President from 2012-14. He is currently serving on the Board of CFA as a special skills Director and is a parent of a child with CF.

Ken has executive experience in Public Sector and Non-Government Organisations. His past appointments include membership of the Board of a Statutory Authority Inter-Agency taskforce reporting to the Minister for Police and early involvement in the National Rail Freight Initiative. Ken is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, served on the AIM Senior Leaders Network Committee for some years and is an established member and volunteer of the National Trust of Australia (WA) and CFWA. In 2011-2012, Ken provided Project Manager Consultancy on our major national CF Research Project co-ordinating feedback from the international Scientific Advisory Committee. Ken was elected to the Board of CFWA at the 2015 AGM.

Rachael is a lawyer and is currently the Corporate Counsel of a government statutory authority. Over the years, Rachael has provided advice both in the private sector and government sector on legal and governance issues. In addition, Rachael has significant experience in developing and implementing regulatory frameworks and in consulting with and supporting stakeholders, both locally and nationally, in major business change initiatives. Rachael has previously served on the CFWA Board, first joining in 2006, and is the parent of a child with CF.

Following a successful career in Law in the UK Tim and his family migrated to Australia in July 1985 where he continued his career with Mallesons Stephen Jaques, practising in a broad range of commercial areas. In 1997, Judge Sharp joined the Crown Solicitor’s office as Deputy Crown Solicitor and head of the commercial section. In 2003, he was appointed Crown Solicitor (now State Solicitor) for the State of Western Australia where he remained until his appointment to the District Court and to the State Administrative Tribunal in August 2010. Tim was co-opted to the Board of CFWA in July 2017.