Meet the key people at Emerald Coaches. We have a wealth of talent and experience in the public transportation industry.
Michael Baulch
Director
Michael is a fourth generation member of a public transportation family. With over thirty years experience throughout various jurisdictions managing school, route, intercity and industrial services.
Prior to purchasing Emerald Coaches in 2014, Michael owned and operated several passenger transport businesses in Victoria and Western Australia. He is a Founding Shareholder and Director of Moonies Hill Energy and H2 Energy, renewable energy development companies based in Western Australia.
He presently represents the bus industry as the Chairman of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC), a Councillor of the Bus Industry Confederation and Board Member of the Australian Public Transport Industry Association.
Michael holds a private pilot’s license and is a keen sports person, having represented WA, Tasmania, Queensland and Australia in Aussie Rules Football.
Rachael Baulch
Director
Rachael has been a part of the Bus industry family for over 30 years. Being Passionate about teaching, learning and finding ways to solve problems, Rachael loves the idea of changing lives for the better.
With a passion for creating meaningful and supportive relationships across the whole business, Rachael strives to enable clear and honest communication amongst all our people.
By playing a pivotal role in creating a culture of excellence throughout the business, Rachael works to ensure that the fundamentals are right, and to create a workplace that is happy, fulfilling and real.
Rachael is also super passionate about food, health and the environment.
Andy Lewis
CEO
Andy is an executive leader with 25 years of international experience working in multiple industry sectors across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Andy is a trusted advisor to business owners and has worked in a wide range of organisations from large multinationals through to SME family groups.
Joining Emerald Coaches in early 2023, Andy has a people-focused and supportive leadership style. His structured approach and positive mindset have brought direction to the business.
Susie Pretorius
People & Culture Manager
With a hunger for new challenges and an adventurous spirit, Susie Pretorius and her family left sunny South Africa for sunny Australia and joined Emerald Coaches in 2019. As a seasoned professional with more than 20 years’ experience, Susie role includes leading the People & Culture and Compliance teams, which play a key role in the operation and implementation of various key internal processes and systems.
She started her career in the corporate environment with experience in journalism, marketing, communication, and human resources and later ventured into the power utility and construction sectors and gained invaluable experience in Quality and Safety.
Susie has an open, direct persuasive style and the will, passion, and drive to succeed. She enjoys working with the talented Emerald Coaches team and, in her free time, you will find her spending time with friends and family and exploring Queensland.
Sharon Harris
Operations Manager – Emerald
A member of the Emerald Coaches team since 2001, Sharon is both an experienced coach driver, manager and administrator.
She oversees the organisational day to day running of the depot, including scheduling, driver inductions and training, maintenance planning and charter booking and quoting.
Sharon’s friendly approach to clients and staff, coupled with her intimate knowledge of the business and excellent problem solving skills has provided the company with stability and leadership over many years.
Amy Hayward
Operations Manager – Mackay & Blackwater
Amy joined the Emerald Coaches family in 2021 with over 15 years of experience in leading teams within mining, mental health, sporting, and government services organisations.
Amy combines her extensive knowledge, resourcefulness, and creativity to ensure she consistently exceeds the requirements of her clients.
Her passion and commitment to overcome any challenge means Amy has gained a reputation for turning the impossible into reality.
Paul Denniss
Workshop Manager – Mackay
Paul joined the Emerald Coaches team in mid-2022 and is a highly experienced team leader with a focus on developing his people, fleet, and contractual knowledge.
Paul has been in the bus and coach industry for over 12 years, previously having worked for a multinational organisation in the Sydney public transport sector.
His believes a happy workplace is a productive workplace, with workplace and client safety his primary objectives.
Aljon Briones
Emerald Workshop Manager (acting)
Aljon has been an integral member of the Emerald Coaches workshop team and is vastly capable in all aspects of repairs, maintenance and administration.
He started off his career as a Light Vehicle Mechanic, progressed and developed his skills to become a Heavy Diesel Mechanic. Aljon leads a Workshop team that delivers precision and quality.
His focus on bus safety is second to none, and his commitment to the company is invaluable.