Maria James is the CEO of MITEZ, a member based advocacy peak regional development organisation for the North West corridor. Previous to this she spent more than a decade at Port of Townsville managing the trade and business development unit. Maria began her career as a graduate economist with the Commonwealth Department of Defence but then spent almost 20 years working in both the UK and USA in Further Education and International Rugby administration before settling in Townsville with her family. A born and bred North Queenslander, Tully to be specific, Maria is passionate about Northern Australia and being part of its development. She sits on the RDA Townsville and North West Committee, the Athletics North Queensland Board, the CopperString Regional Reference Group and the Premier’s Queensland Leaders Forum.