2016 EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING AWARDS – JUDGES EFY KARAGIANNIS Efy is the Chief Operating Officer of the Domestic Building Insurance Program (also known as Builders Warranty) at the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, responsible for the operational management of the program, including the development of processes within the underwriting, claims, recovery and reporting functions. She is currently a member of the Federal Government's Building Occupations Interim Advisory Committee, established by the National Occupational Licensing Authority, as well as being recently appointed to the position Adjunct Fellow (Building & Construction) at Holmesglen Institute. Efy has completed a degree in Construction Management at RMIT University and has worked for a number of Melbourne’s leading builders during her career. She has extensive experience in commercial and residential projects, having worked for a number of building companies, prior to her role as the Claims Manager at the Housing Guarantee Fund Ltd. Efy is a past Board Member of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria and in August 2009, was appointed the first female President of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB). Efy was awarded the prestigious NAWIC Crystal Vision Award in October 2011, in recognition of her achievements in advancing the interests of women in the construction industry.
ROB LEES In 1977, after working for several years in industries linked to the building industry, Rob started his formal building career working for McDougal Ireland as an estimator’s clerk and contract administrator. This experience encouraged him to obtain formal qualifications. He studied at RMIT where he achieved a Diploma of Building (with Distinction) in 1982. The formal training stimulated a need to be on site and he enjoyed his time as site foreman then site manager /estimator, first for Hersfield Developments and then for Construction Engineering Pty Ltd. The projects varied from shopping centre construction and refurbishment to the refurbishment of city office buildings. In 1983 Rob formed Faulkner Lees Constructions Pty Ltd, initially as an onsite project management company providing services to numerous developers mainly specialising in commercial and industrial projects. Design and construction projects, in light commercial, professional suites, new homes and domestic renovations and extensions became the main form of work through the 1990’s and early 2000’s. During this time as well as being a registered Builder and Draftsman Rob, completed a Graduate Diploma in Property at RMIT. 1997 Rob contracted part time to BSS Pty Ltd, a building consultancy firm. This led to Building Consultancy being the primary source of business for Faulkner Lees Constructions Pty Ltd. As a Building Consultant, Rob is equally engaged by Builders and Owners. He prepares reports suitable for VCAT, Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts and regularly appears at tribunals as an expert witness. Rob’s involvement with Master Builders Association of Victoria extends over 25 years and he is an active member of the Australian Society of Building Consultants (Vic) and is the current President.
MAX LOCHE Diploma Project Management (Swinburne), Diploma in Building & Construction, Diploma of Management (Building Academy), Associate Diploma Architectural Drafting (NMIT) Registered Building Practitioner BDAV Full Member
Max Loche has been at the forefront of Victorian home design for the past 19 years. After owning and operating his own design and drafting business, Max joined Metricon where he began as a Project Designer and quickly escalated to Project Manager - Developments, where he was responsible for the delivery of medium density product from concept to completion. A four year period as Victorian Products Manager at Burbank provided a stepping stone to his current position at Victoria's leading builder Simonds. Today, Max acts as National Products Range Manager, a position he has held for the 5 past years. Superintending the Products Department and with offices in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia & New South Wales, Max is responsible for Product Innovation and delivery of Product on all aspects of the business by the award-winning builder.
ROBERT (BOB) LORICH Bob is a Building Consultant with a total of 38 years building industry experience in design, documentation, estimating, supervision and construction. Worked and trained as an architectural draftsman and Clerk of Works from 1974 to 1978 on mainly large commercial and industrial projects including shopping centres, supermarkets, factories and office buildings. From 1978 to 1980 worked on design and sales of Kit Homes and other mid-level projects. From 1980 to 1990 worked as a Volume Builder Supervisor, Contracts Manager and Estimator. He has been involved in general building consulting since 1985 through John Coghlan & Associates Pty Ltd, then as a partner in Coghlan Lorich Associates Pty Ltd which became Buildspect & Co Pty Ltd from 1990 until October 2010. Former part owner and director of Buildspect & Co Pty Ltd. Bob is also a Registered Building Practitioner (retired Commercial and Domestic Builder). In 2011 formed Australiawide Building Consultancy. Currently the building consulting practice involves contract documentation and assessment, preparation of quantities and costing, expert witness, project management and quality supervision of commercial, industrial and residential projects. Mediation and Dispute resolution services are provided frequently for parties to a building contract. He appears regularly at V.C.A.T, County and Supreme Courts.
BRIAN MACSWEENEY Starting an Apprenticeship in Carpentry at just 14 years of age, Brian spent 53 years working in the building industry, forming Brimor Constructions in the 1970’s.Working on residential projects in metropolitan Melbourne. and throughout the north west of the state, Brian has seen many changes within the industry. With an initial focus on renovations Brian’s work soon moved to the construction of new homes providing mostly for the first home buyers market. A Master Builders member for more than 20 years, this was his second year at judging of the Regional Building Awards. In his spare time, Brian enjoys spending time on his property breeding parrots and goats and simply enjoying the rural lifestyle. With 3 grandchildren, Brian and his wife are kept busy with regular Queensland holidays.
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