Our Executive Leadership Team
Our organisation is structured into four key business units.
- Office of the CEO
- Planning and Corporate Services
- Community and Economic Development
- Infrastructure Services
Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is made up of the Chief Executive Officer, Directors of each business unit, and key senior managers.
We employ approximately 200 full-time, part-time and casual employees.
Our workforce is dispersed across the Shire with offices and depots located in Beechworth, Chiltern, Yackandandah and Rutherglen.
View or download our organisational chart(PDF, 143KB)
Meet our Executive Leadership Team
Trevor Ierino - Chief Executive Officer
Trevor has more than 40 years’ experience in both the private and public sector and has been CEO of Indigo Shire since February 2018.
Trevor is committed to employee involvement in the workplace, community involvement in decision making on issues that affect them, openness and transparency, long term financial sustainability of the Shire, reconciliation and truth telling, and ensuring Council treads lightly upon this earth.
Trevor is responsible for leading the organisation and has five direct reports, who make up the Executive Leadership Team.
A keen photographer, Trevor enjoys spending weekends exploring and capturing the beauty of Indigo Shire, in particular its magnificent landscapes and birdlife.
Greg Pinkerton - Director of Planning and Corporate Services
Greg has worked at Indigo Shire Council since 2011 and during this time has managed the corporate services function as well as a range of other portfolios .
Prior to joining local government, Greg had a diverse career that centred mainly around managing retail operations for some of Australia’s biggest companies. In addition, he has also worked with Ambulance Victoria and the Department of Justice.
Greg’s education includes a degree in business management and a Master of Business Administration.
Sally Rice - Director of Community and Economic Development
Sally has worked in Local Government since 2006, starting in a community development role before progressing to senior leadership and management.
Her experience includes overseeing a variety of Council functions including Community Services, Economic Development, Tourism, Safety and Amenity, Environmental Sustainability and Waste.
She has been in Executive Management roles since 2017 and joined Indigo Shire in her current role in December 2022.
She has a Masters Business Administration and Bachelor Science (Hons).
Ian Ellett - Director of Infrastructure Services
Ian is a qualified civil engineer with more than 35 years of experience mostly in local government. He has worked across metropolitan and rural Victorian Councils in a range of hands-on engineering, management and executive roles.
Ian has completed post graduate studies in Municipal Engineering and Management and also has an MBA. In 2016, Ian completed an Executive Leadership Program (LGPro) to further develop his leadership capabilities.
He held senior roles at Murrindindi Shire for 10 years and was a Director at Alpine Shire for three and a half years before joining Indigo as Director Infrastructure Services in February 2015 to work in the community that has been his home since 2011.
Ian is passionate about providing exceptional customer service, protecting our natural environment and unique heritage, and providing quality and value-for-money outcomes for the community.
Melinda Collis - Executive Manager Customer Experience and Engagement
Mel has worked in local government for more than 25 years, including at Indigo Shire since late 2019, where she leads communications and community engagement and customer experience.
Before moving into local government, Mel worked in broadcast journalism as a reporter, presenter and chief of staff, experience that shaped her approach to clear communication and connecting with people.
Mel’s focus is on accessible communications that build community trust, strong community engagement, and media management that tells the Shire's story authentically.
In 2023, Melinda completed an Executive Leadership Program with LGPro, further strengthening her leadership capabilities.
When not at work, Mel enjoys living a healthy and active lifestyle and travelling.
Deb Fankhauser - Executive Manager People and Governance
Deb is an executive leader with more than 20 years of experience across government, community services, utilities, health, and private enterprise.
Recognised among the Top 50 Women in the Public Sector, Deb is known for leading through complex change and her strategic strengths across Human Resources, Strategy, Risk, Operations, Customer, People & Culture, and Governance. She is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, embedding inclusive leadership practices and equity-driven workforce strategies to foster belonging and representation across all levels of the organisation.
Deb is responsible for HR, Safety, Risk and Governance and has two direct reports across People and Governance.
Deb is a keen gardener and enjoys creating green spaces in and around her home to enjoy and provide a retreat for local birdlife and habitat.