Central Apartments & Hotels Management Profiles

David Pradella - Managing Director - Pradella Property Ventures

Tertiary qualified in business Management and Accounting, David's indepth tourism experience stems back over 30 years.  David gained global industry knowledge with the Best Western chain in the USA and the Travelodge Group in Australia, before taking up the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Pradella Group of Companies, the business established by his family in 1959. In 1984, David founded Central Apartments & Hotels for the Pradella Group, when he oversaw the development, construction and operation of Brisbane's Metropolitan Motor Inn, establishing the first serviced apartment accommodation chain in Australia.  From 2001 to 2008, David was Joint Managing Director of the Pradella Group with his younger brother, Kim.  The group specialises in Construction, Development, Hotel and Property Management. Pradella is now one of Queensland's most awarded developer, builders and property managers.  David has served as a director on the Qld Government Board of Queensland Tourism, Travel Corporation (now Tourism Queensland) and Enertrade. In 2006, David was recognised by the Queensland University of Technology as its Outstanding Alumni Winner for Business.  Corporate restructure of the Pradella Group in early 2009 saw David become the Managing Director of Pradella Property Ventures.   Pradella Property Ventures incorporates Central Apartments and Hotels and is a syndicator with interests encompassing residential property development, manufactured home parks, serviced apartments, residential property management and general real estate agencies.  David holds a General Real Estate Licence and a Commercial Agent Corporation Licence, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Philip Goodman - Chief Executive Officer, Pradella Property Ventures

Philip's hotel industry experience began in 1980 as Owner of The Winterhaus in Thredbo which he successfully owned and managed for 25 years. Following the sale of The Winterhaus, Philip became General Manager of QualBest Homes and Tradefast and then Managing Director of MaxInfo, roles which provided him invaluable development and legal knowledge.  Philip joined the Pradella Group of Companies as Acquisitions and Developments Manager in 2003 and was active in Central Apartments and Hotels acquisition of management rights in Emporium and Surfair Conference Centre.  Philip's industry knowledge has been fundamental in Central Apartments' expansion in New Zealand, and he was instrumental in acquiring the first Central New Zealand property, Terrace Heights, followed by Stratford and Precinct.  Philip is the Development Director for Seachange Village Arundel Over 50's Lifestyle Resort and Skylounge Apartment Hotel in Melbourne.  In 2009, Philip was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pradella Property Ventures and brings to the role a wealth of experience in syndication, joint ventures, site acquisitions and marketing.   Philip has a Building Licence in Queensland and New South Wales and is involved in Community Titles Institutes nationally and regionally.

Lindsay Prior - Group General Manager - Central Group

Having worked for some of the tourism industry’s leading hotel chains, Lindsay oversees the operations of each hotel, residence and meeting venue under Central’s management in Australia and New Zealand.  Joining Central over fourteen years ago, Lindsay graduated with a Diploma of Catering and Hotel Management in 1978 and his career includes wholesale and retail travel operations together with executive positions in the hotel and hospitality industry in Australia and overseas with with large resorts and international hotel operations, as well as prestigious country clubs.  Drawing from his comprehensive knowledge and contacts within domestic and inbound leisure markets, he has contributed to the growth of the Central group, while also working with travel industry and industry partners to take the Central Apartments & Hotels brand to global markets.
 

Justin Edwards - Operations Manager Venues, Central Group

With over 20 years experience in the Hospitality and Hotel Management industry, Justin Edwards has professional qualifications in Economics and Management from the Australian Defence Force Academy. Starting at grass roots in hospitality saw Justin working through a number of top quality Hotel chains such as Hyatt Sanctuary Cove, The Heritage Hotel Brisbane and Hamilton Towers, Hamilton Island. Exposure to all aspects of Five Star Hotel operations laid the foundation for Justin's growth into the operations role at Conrad Treasury Casino. This saw Justin overseeing a multi venue, multimillion dollar, 24 hour Food and beverage operation.  Joining Central six years ago from the Conrad Treasury Casino, Justin currently oversees the operations three Conference Centres in Brisbane. This role involves overseeing all aspects of strategic and day to day operations to ensue Central meets all stakeholder expectations both now and in to the future.

Jennifer Hansen - Operations Manager Residences, Central Group

Jenni Hansen began her hospitality career with Central Apartments & hotels over 20 years ago, beginning her career as a telephonist at our Central Summit Apartments.  Since that time Jenni has worked for many professional hospitality and property management companies in various management positions.  With a 7 year stint in Sydney working for companies such as Medina Serviced Apartments and the Oaks Hotels & Resorts, Jenni returned to Central Apartments & Hotels in November of 2005 as the Accommodation Operations Manager.  As the portfolio grew, so did Jenni's role which involves overseeng the strategic and day to day operations of all 6 residential complexes in Brisbane and 1 complex in New Zealand. Jenni has completed her full Real Estate Licence during her return to Central and also keeps our Resident Managers informed of changes within legislation that pertains to the property management industry. 

Robert Napier- Operations Manager Apartments & Hotels, Central Group

Robert Napier began his career at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, run by Southern Pacific Hotels, before joining North Beach Park Royal and finishing at Sails in the Desert, the premium five star property at Uluru. Robert moved to Dockside Apartment Hotel when it was operated under different management and also spent time with the Grand Hotels International Group in Brisbane. Prior to moving to the Central Group, Robert managed two resorts in the snow fields at Mount Buller. This welath of experience covering functions, food and beverage, housekeeping and front office has provided Robert with extensive management experience which has stood him in good stead in successfully managing any operation. Now with the Central Group for over five years, Robert has developed and grown a number of the properties and is currently overseeing five of our Hotels. Bringing a vision of great growth for both Apartment Owners and Central Group, whilst maintaining a strong guest focus, dominates Robert's performance.

Katherine Mills - Personnel & Training Manager, Central Group

Katherine Millis joined Central Apartments & Hotels in 2006 as Assistant Operations Manager.  In 2008, Katherine became Central's Personnel & Training Manager.  With extensive knowledge gained in the hospitality and property management industries, Katherine has applied her operations, training and people management skills in her current role.  Having graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing, Katherine completed her REIQ studies to obtain a Queensland Real Estate Sales Person certificate.  She is also an Australian Human Resources Institute member and is a certified Workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Co-ordinator (QLD).