Committee
David West
Chair
David West is a retail consultant with over 30 years’ experience in analysing, managing and marketing mainstreets and shopping centres including Rundle Mall and Westfield Marion in Adelaide. David has also travelled across the UK and USA including work in London high streets. David was a founding Member of Mainstreet SA when it was first created over 10 years ago. In 2021 David is a long-time Mainstreet Australia Member and he was made a Life Member in 2021 due to his service over many years. He is also a Member of Mainstreet America.
David worked with many mainstreets, cities and towns including Jetty Road Glenelg, Renmark, Stirling, Alice Springs, Hutt Street, O'Connell Street, Christchurch, Takapuna, Queanbeyan, Mount Barker and Magill Village. David authored a comprehensive book called ‘Mainstreet Management: Successful Retail Strategies’
Akarra Klingberg
Committee Member
Akarra is passionate about mainstreets and their contribution to the economic prosperity of local areas. Having worked across four mainstreets in the City of Unley, she is now the Jetty Road Development Coordinator at the City of Holdfast Bay. With a background in the tourism industry before making the move to Local Government, Akarra is dedicated to working with businesses to help them set up and flourish, making the most of the opportunities available. Working closely with the business community on economic development initiatives, she is also passionate about partnering with mainstreet committees and seeing their ideas come to life and precincts prosper.
Jesse Papargiris
Committee Member and Treasurer
Jesse is Director at Sims Richmond Chartered Accountants. Born and raised in Stirling, Jesse moved to Port Lincoln and Mildura before returning to Adelaide to study at Uni SA University where he gained his Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business Commercial Law. After completing university Jesse decided to stay and pursue his career in Adelaide as he and his wife enjoyed the lifestyle and opportunities it offered. With over 12 years experience in the accounting profession, Jesse enjoys using his specialist skills and knowledge to assist small to large businesses in their day to day management and providing a dynamic external force for growth and change. Jesse is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Michael McKeown
Committee Member
Michael is the director of planning, landscape architecture and urban design consultancy Jensen PLUS. He regularly leads teams to prepare master plans and designs for town centres and main streets across Australia. Michael is an experienced designer, planner and facilitator, and enjoys applying these skills to assist communities to plan for the future of their main streets.
Emma Grivell
Committee Member
Emma Grivell is a proud Mainstreeter and is currently the Business Engagement Advisor at the City of Charles Sturt. She was previously involved with the creation of the Prospect Road main street marketing and trader committee, securing two People’s Choice Mainstreet SA Awards in 2019 and 2020 and the Mainstreet Marketing Award in 2018.
Jane Silbereisen
Committee Member
Jane is President of the Blackwood Business Network and has been working in this role since 2010. The Business Network promotes the business community, issues an annual business directory for Blackwood, lobbies local and State Government on local business issues, promotion of the Blackwood Precinct District and manages regular networking events for the business sector.