The SBDC is governed by a Board, drawn from the private sector under the auspices of the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983. The five-member SBDC Board meets on a monthly basis to consider issues relevant to the direction and operation of the Corporation.

As the SBDC’s governing body, the Board has responsibility for performing the functions set out in the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983.

The SBDC Board has four strategic roles:

• direction of the organisation
• determination of standards
• coordination of planning, policies, and decision-making frameworks
• acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister, the Government and other agencies.

Operational roles of the Board include:

• setting strategies
• focusing on client service and customer needs
• striving for organisational best practice and compliance with standards
• delegation of operational decision-making to officers within the SBDC.

Ray Mountney - Chairman

Ray Mountney initially joined the Board as a member in August 2009, following his very successful business career in the motor industry. In June 2010, Ray was appointed to the role of Chairman of the Board. As owner and Managing Director of Fennessy Holden and Nissan in Busselton, Ray has also served as State delegate to the National Franchise Councils of Holden and Nissan, and been active within the broader community of the South West, holding executive positions with the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Centre Vasse.

Merrill Dalgleish

Merrill Dalgleish was appointed to the Board in June 2010. Ms Dalgleish is well known in the Mid West region where she operates a highly successful catering and events business which she started and developed with her husband. With experience on the Boards of the Mid West Small Business Centre and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Dalgleish is very familiar with the work of both the SBDC and the SBC Network.

Kitty Prodonovich

Kitty Prodonovich was appointed to the Board in May 2008 and took up her position in September 2008. Ms Prodonovich has owned and operated a number of small businesses, including two award winning businesses in the Goldfields. She was the recipient of the Goldfields Young Achiever Award and winner of the 2002 Goldfields Business of the Year. She was elected the youngest executive member of the Kalgoorlie Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is a past president. Ms Prodonovich is currently the President of the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry in WA and Business Manager at Como Engineers.

Brent Pollard

Brent Pollard was appointed to the Board in June 2010. Mr Pollard has an extensive background in developing businesses in Britain and Western Australia. He currently owns Black Toms and Mosmans restaurants in Perth and has a number of other domestic and international business interests. He has strong strategic skills and a thorough understanding of the contemporary issues facing business operators, particularly entrepreneurs.

Mark Irwin


Mark Irwin was appointed to the Board in September 2011. As a successful small business owner with two businesses in Perth, he brings a wealth of local knowledge and expertise to the Board. Mark's building and construction company Selby Rennos, specialises in renovation and development while his other business Selby Health and Fitness in Osborne Park has been operating since 1972. Mr Irwin has won several small business awards and is an active member of the local Surf Life Saving as the WA President, Director of Surf Life Saving Australia, and member of the National Board of Development, Surf Life Saving Australia.

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