Chief Executive
Ron Mark

Rongowhitiao Maaka (or Ron Mark) is proud to whakapapa to the Te Arawa, Ngati Raukawa, Atiawa, Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Ngai Tahu Iwi.

Rongowhitiao is Deputy Chairman for the Board of the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation, he is also a member of the Greater Wellington District Council’s Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Group and a number of positions on Māori land and housing trusts.

Rongowhitiao is passionate about the economic advancement of Māori, the need to protect/enhance the wellbeing of our land and he is of the belief that the future economic gains for Maori need to be built around effective education. And it is through education that Rongowhitiao believes Māori will take a quantum leap into the science and technology based industries such as energy, communications and infrastructure.

Office Manager

Lisa Eden

Lisa grew up in the in the small country town of Mangaweka before moving to Wellington where she was educated at Wellington High School and Massey University. She has Diplomas in Business (Accounting) and Management and is a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants. Lisa has worked in a variety of organisations including Creative New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Ministry of Education and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, all in accounting roles. Lisa’s initial role at FoMA was as a part-time Accounts Manager and her duties now include being the Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive.

Contact:  lisa@foma.co.nz

Policy & Business Development Manager

Simon Phillips

Born in Hamilton, bred under the watchful eye of Taranaki Te Maunga and schooled at Wesley College etc; Simon Whakapapa’s back to Maniapoto and Taranaki.  Simon spent 10 years achieving his life ambition of playing professional sport and found life as a pro-footballer was great, but didn’t meet his expectations.  Simon moved to Wellington and enrolled at Victoria University in 1998 and since graduating with a Commerce Degree (majoring in Marketing) in 2001 he has spent the bulk of his working life in Marketing, Sales and Business Development.

Contact:   simon@foma.co.nz