Cooke Industries expands sales leadership team
Cooke Industries has added two new professionals to its sales management team.
“Six months ago, we began looking for a skilled salesperson to cover the expanding Queensland market,” says general manager Justin Nicholas.
“However, after interviewing two exceptionally strong candidates—with vastly different skill sets and sufficient geographic separation – the business case for employing both was quite compelling.”
These appointments in Queensland and northern New South Wales are part of a broader strategic initiative to continue the company's growth in the northern markets and to reinforce the existing sales staff – Brad Hamilton in Melbourne and Glen Meznaric in Sydney – with complementary skills and fresh perspectives.
Michael Barbour joins as regional sales manager for South-East Queensland, bringing over 25 years of experience in pool design and construction.
“Leveraging a deep understanding of construction processes and builder-specific challenges, Michael is uniquely positioned to advise clients on practical and effective solutions. With Michael, it’s not a sales pitch—it’s practical help from someone who’s been there,” says Nicholas.
Also joining Cooke Industries is John Gerdelan, appointed as regional sales manager for Northern Rivers and surrounds.
“Drawing on his extensive data-driven sales experience, including seven years within the industry, John will apply his skills to identify customer needs, optimise sales strategies, and improve the company’s service offering.”
In line with their growth strategy, Cooke Industries has secured distribution agreements with new and existing suppliers, allowing them to offer their trade customers a broader portfolio of quality pool equipment and products.
“We continue to invest in a highly skilled and adaptable team to lead our industry into the future,” says Nicholas. “The experience and insight John and Mick bring will bolster our capabilities and position us for long-term success, while strengthening our relationships between us and our valued customers.”
IMAGE: Michael Barbour and John Gerdelan
