Ballarat Community Telco

David is a community minded businessman who has held senior management roles in Ballarat since 1997. Having had a successful career in Human Resources, David is very much a people person whose management style reflects his integrity and genuine commitment to those around him. One of Davids key skills is his ability to lead and inspire those he works with to deliver the highest levels of customer service.For David, hard work, honesty and trust are the corner stones of successful relationships in business.

Outside of work David is a committed family man. Married to Sharon, the couple have two delightful children, Louis who is 9 and Ginger who is 6. The family enjoy the outdoors and have a particular interest in Lake Wendouree. Since 2004 David has been Chairperson of the Lake Foundation and a pivotal force behind the Masterplan projects for Lake Wendouree

Chris Prehn is our nationally and internationally experienced Technical Consultant. Chris has worked in a variety of demanding roles since moving from South Africa to Australia 12 years ago. Chris brings to BCE a level of expertise that is second-to-none, having over 11 years experience with large and highly complex data networks and PABX systems. Chris has previously worked in a range of demanding industries including Emergency Services (Rural Ambulance Victoria) and transport (Queensland Rail). Not only does Chris have an outstanding track record, his expertise is backed up by qualifications including a Diploma in Telecommunications, Certificate IV in Project Management and Nortel and NEC certification in PABX systems.

Clients and colleagues alike find Chris not only knowledgeable but approachable and very keen to get the job done correctly and on time the first time. Chris thrives on solving problems and helping customers find a solution that not only fits their needs but works! Chris believes that building a personal relationship with his clients is the most important key to exceptional customer service. This personal touch is one of the reasons Chris made the move to BCE and since joining the team his enthusiasm and leadership skills have been a valuable asset to our clients and his colleagues.

When hes not working Chris spends as much time as he can with his lovely wife and two gorgeous boys aged 3 and 22 months. He also enjoys traveling and has a keen interest in sport.

Many of our newest clients would already know Jason Dunne. Jason  joined us earlier this year and since then has brought many well known Ballarat businesses to BCE including The Gamekeepers Secret, Peaches Fruit Market, Ballarat Motorcycles and Davis Wholesale Meat and Poultry (just to name a few). 

Jason has had a fascinating and varied career and this makes him the ideal person to head up our new business activities.  As a Key Account Manager, Jason’s role is to attract new clients to BCE and support the needs of our larger clients.
Jason started his career in the high-stress world of hospitality. As a Qualified Executive Chef by trade, Jason loves to share the good things in life with those around him.  Working in the often frantic kitchen environment helped Jason hone his eye for detail and perfect the ability to stay calm under pressure. 
About 12 years ago, Jason decided to broaden his wings and he moved into Senior Sales Account Manager roles with companies such as Austar, Flick Pest Control & ISS Melbourne Facility Services. The major focus of these roles was to look after major clients, such as Sovereign Hill, Cadbury Schweppes, Inghams Chicken, KFC, Red Rooster, Pizza Hut, Allied Mills & Sunicrust Ballarat. 

Jason is very passionate about working and supporting Ballarat business and the community. He is intelligent, easy going and a dedicated family man.   Jason says he really appreciates the opportunity that BCE has provided, enabling him to work back in Ballarat, saving him the long hours of travelling out of Ballarat to work everyday. With the time saved, Jason is able to spend more time with his lovely wife Leanne and their two beautiful 14 month old twins Jackson and Cooper.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys all football, motor sports and entertaining friends and family at home.  The rest of the BCE team are hinting outrageously for dinner invitations at his house!
With his own children’s future in mind, Jason believes that BCE can make a difference in creating more local employment opportunities and with the 60 % profit reinvested into the local community, he believes great things can be achieved for all our children.

Anthony Stephens joined BCE in June 2007 as a Key Account Manager.  In this exciting and challenging role, Anthony will support our larger clients with his exceptionally high levels of customer service and keen interest in the latest technology. Anthony brings a wealth of sales and service experience to his role.  With a background in both the hospitality business and retail sales, Anthony knows exactly how to help people find what they need and make the whole experience an enjoyable one!

As a born and bred Ballarat boy, Anthony felt a real connection with the principles of giving back to the community on which BCE are founded.  Having lived here all this life and now married with two small boys of his own, Anthony firmly believes that local owned and operated business are the corner stone of thriving communities. 

Being a local person, Anthony has a large network of friends and family in the region.  One of the other connections that attracted him to BCE was our support of the Ballarat Cancer Research Centre.  In 2005, Anthony’s Mum was diagnosed and died from Leukaemia.  Dr George Kannourakis who now heads the Ballarat Cancer Research Centre was her Oncologist.  BCE’s support for the vital cancer research work that is carried out by Dr Kannourakis and his team is very close to Anthony’s heart and he’s passionate to do everything he can to help them find a cure.

Since joining the BCE team, Anthony has been busy getting to know how the business works and most importantly meeting our clients.  He says “I’ve found the vast majority of the people that I speak to very receptive to the BCE message.  I want to get the message about BCE out there and in particular educate people that we’re locally owned, we’re growing and we really do give back to our community”.

Outside of work, when he’s not spending time with his wife Helen and sons James (4) and William (almost 2), he loves a game of golf.  Focusing his spare time on his family has meant he doesn’t play as much as he’s like to, but he still manages to play about twice a month.  Anthony started playing golf when he was 5 years old and he’s obviously a natural because he tees off from a remarkable handicap of 8!  With his son’s getting to the right age, he’s also keen to take them for a few fun-filled rounds as they get older.  Now that his working life has more family friendly hours, Anthony is also looking forward to some family holidays and using his Melbourne Cricket Club membership to see some football and cricket matches.

Chris Amphlett is our young and dynamic technical support officer Technical Support Officer. Chris joined BCE in early 2007 after working with one of Ballarats leading computer and internet companies.  Chris loves his computers!  Chris’ passion and experience means he has an extremely wide knowledge base but more importantly, he also the practical people skills to help others who might not be to techno-savvy.  After finishing his VCE, Chris completed an Advanced Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering from Victoria University.  Not one to rest on his laurels, Chris is currently studying at Ballarat University for his Bachelor of Information Technology. Chris hails from Rowsley, just outside Bacchus Marsh.  When he’s not working Chris enjoys movies, motor bike riding, AFL and all things cricket. Chris is an accredited cricket coach who coaches a junior cricket team in the Bacchus Marsh area.