Meet the Team
Sebastian Stapleton – Managing Director
Sebastian Stapleton is the managing director at Mastagard. He bought Mastagard in 2001 back when it consisted only of a Briford trailer and small truck. Focused on increasing the client base by providing excellent and reliable service to his customers, Sebastian grew the company to what it is today. His goal was to make Mastagard a recycling company first and then a waste company. He wanted Mastagard to be able to provide a full service solution that enabled people to turn to one company for all of their recycling and waste needs. Now that Mastagard is what he envisaged, he is committed to keeping Mastagard at the forefront of the recycling and waste industry. When Sebastian is not working, he enjoys boating the Marlborough sounds, watching movies and spending time with his family.
Ross Lang - Site Manager
Ross began his career working as a Plumbers Apprentice. He then moved on to work as Warehouse Manager for Coca Cola where he gained his heavy trade/trailer licences. He then moved into the role of Sales Representative for a Multi National Company for 18 years where he gained several sales diplomas. For three years he became Shareholder/Director of a Manufacturing Company and was Owner Driver for multi national for 8 years where he became Masterdrive accredited. Ross was initially brought into Mastagard as a truck driver and has since been promoted up to Site Manager. Ross’ wide range of experience has been a huge value to Mastagard.
David Oberholzer - Contracts Manager
Dave was educated in Durban, South Africa and attended The University of Pretoria. He worked in the Transport and Shipping Operations field for 27 years before immigrating to New Zealand at the beginning of a recession where he worked for Forge Technologies. Dave joined the Mastagard team in August 2010. Dave's wife is a Bookkeeper at Mediterranean Shipping Company and has a daughter who finished her second and third year in Varsity here in Christchurch.
Peter Hughes – Site Manager
Peter has been in the heavy transport and general engineering industry for over 20 years. He also brings with him a great deal of experience in the waste and recycling industry. Peter owned his own engineering company for seven years (where Mastagard was one of his biggest clients) until Mastagard approached him to come on board as part of our team. Peter saw this as an opportunity to work with people who are on the forefront of recycling and waste minimisation, a subject Peter is very passionate about. Peter is married with six children, all girls, and he is a proud grandfather of three grandchildren. Peter is a hands on person and definitely has the kiwi can do attitude in all that he does.
Jacob Stapleton - Canterbury Operations manager
Jacob was educated at Christ’s college in Canterbury. Upon completion he tried his hand at farming, working various farms for three years before deciding to join the Mastagard team as a class two driver. Over the preceding 5 years he progressed through the company getting a firm grounding and an intimate knowledge of all vehicles, runs, factories, and export processes. In May 2011 Jacob took over from Kevin Smith as Canterbury operations manager. When not found at work, Jacob would probably be found tramping over the Copland Pass or fishing at Birdlings Flat.
Dene Robinson – General Manager
Dene has 24 years experience in finance and operational management roles in both commercial and public sector organisations. A highlight operational role for Dene was when he worked as Scott Base Manager for Antarctica New Zealand for the 2002/2003 summer Antarctic season. Dene was recently appointed General Manager of Mastagard Group after a successful period managing Mastagard’s West Coast operations.
Bruce Funnel – Westland Site Foreman
Bruce worked for Carter Hault Harvey for 23 years driving big forklifts before he joined our team almost three years ago. Bruce started as a truck driver and was recently promoted to site foreman at Mastagard's west coast branch in Hokitika. Bruce brings with him a lot of experience. He has a great attitude and he likes to get the job done. Bruce has a lovely wife, Sharon, and together they have four children & five grandchildren. Bruce and Sharon just bout some land and built a new home & love it.
Brenton Hunt – Accountant
Brenton is a chartered accountant with 17 years experience in management and accounting roles. During this time he has worked in senior roles in a number of different industries, including Energy, Electrical Contracting, Property Development and Construction (commercial and domestic) , Retail, Hospitality, Health, IT Consulting and Insolvency. Brenton has a great deal of experience which guides him as he works with us on a number of strategic projects.
Keith Osborne – Sales Consultant
Keith came to Mastagard two years ago and brought with him an extensive background in consultative selling. Keith was working in England as the Sales Manager for a large food distribution company until 1994 when he decided to move to New Zealand to work for Dominator Garage Doors. He worked for Dominator six years selling garage doors and auto openers. Keith then moved to APN Infomedia to work as the Key Account Manager. Keith's past experience has helped greatly for versatility and adaptability. When Keith is not working he enjoys playing golf and motor racing, having marshalled in F1 all over Europe.
Jason Reid - Account Manager
Before Jason joined our team, he worked as a manager at a food production factory for five years. He then did log trading for four year and then sold bulk food gases to industry. He spent 11 years trading plastics polymers and chemicals so he brings with him a great depth of knowledge about the plastics industry. Jason lives at West Melton with his partner and his three girls, ages 14, 12, and 7 years old. Jason enjoys boating, fishing, diving and hunting.
Nina McLaughlin – Financial Controller
Nina is a qualified Associate Chartered Accounts with approximately ten years experience. She has worked in corporate companies for the past four years with her previous experience coming from Chartered Accountant firms where she gained a good skill set to help path her career. Nina loves challenges and thrives on a busy environment. When Mastagard asked her to be part of our team she saw it as an opportunity to be apart of a growing company that is on the forefront of recycling and is excited to be part of it.
Peter Cooper – Customer Service
Before joining Mastagard, Peter worked for Chevron NZ Ltd for 28 years mainly in Transport & Logistics. While at Chevron, Peter spent 4 of those years working in Hong Kong, Singapore, Manilla and Beijing on special projects including the setup of a Regional Customer Service Centre & Regional Dispatch Centre. Peter brings with him a great deal of experience and has a great attitude. Peter has a wonderful wife and three lovely children. He enjoys travelling and many sports and outdoor activities.
Phil White – Sales and Mobile Onsite Document Destruction
Phil left school at 15 to be an apprentice butcher and since then he has been self employed most of his working life. Phil owned and operated a bacon factory with a staff of eight. He then owned a concrete kerbing and landscaping company with a staff of two. Phil then started a skip company where he and his wife grew the business substantially before they decided to sell it. Mastagard approached Phil to join our team and Phil has been at Mastagard since.
Vinolia Jacobs – Customer Service
Before joining our team 4 years ago, Vinolia worked at the Youth Facility for youth offenders as an administrator to social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists. She taught arts and craft to young children and coached indoor cricket as well as Drum Mayorettes. Vinolia has a great work ethic. She has the right attitude and is always striving to see that our customers have a great experience with us. When she is not working, Vinolia enjoys music and watching movies.
