Our People

BOB AND SUE BERRY

BOB:

Position: Founding Director (established in 1987)
Top five cheeses: Windsor Blue, Vintage Windsor, Lindis Pass, Five Forks and Island Stream
What he always says: "Surround yourself with talented people and support them"
Proudest moment: The awards Whitestone Cheese holds, judged by our peers
He can't do without: My strongest supporter – my wife Sue
Favourite drink: Central Otago Pinot Noirs
He gets annoyed when: There’s not enough snow to ski in the winter and when it's too rough for boating in the summer
Advice to live by: Believe in yourself and never trust a banker

SUE:

Position: Co-founder of Whitestone Cheese
Started at Whitestone: 1987
Nickname: Suberry
Favourite cheese: Vintage Windsor Blue
What she always says: "There’s a front coming"
Proudest moment: Induction to the Columba College Business hall of Fame
She can’t do without: Family. Enjoying outdoors and sunshine, working in a vege garden
Favourite drink: Central Otago Pinot Noir
If she were an animal she'd be: A Persian cat
She gets annoyed when: People do not have good manners
Advice to live by: Always keep your sense of humour and surround yourself with people that make you laugh

SIMON BERRY

Position: Managing Director
Started at Whitestone: Involved since 1987, full time 2003
Nickname: Boogsie
Favourite Cheese: Windsor Blue, Lindis Pass
Proudest moment: Becoming a Dad
I can't do without: My wife Annabel and a morning double shot coffee
Known for being: Techie nerdy and enjoying quality humour
Favourite drink: A craft hazy or a cheeky whisky sour.
Sports: Skiing, mountaineering, fishing, trail & mountain biking
I wish I could be a: Killer Whale
He gets annoyed when: He can't remember names
Advice to live by: Focus on your strengths with pride, passion and persistence

SHANE EMERSON

Position: Production Manager
Started at Whitestone: 2010
Favourite Cheese: Aged Airedale
Proudest moment: Becoming a Dad
I can’t do without: My family
Favourite drink: Jim Beam
Favourite sport: Hockey
He gets annoyed when: People can’t think for themselves
Advice to live by: Don't take anything for granted, you don't know when it might be gone

JANDY WILLS

Position: Pack Room Manager
Started at Whitestone: February 2006
Nickname: Herbie
Favourite Cheese: Windsor Blue
What she always says: “You can only do what you can”
Most courageous moment: Solo skydiving
She can’t do without: A morning coffee
Favourite drink: Baileys or Bombay Sapphire Gin
If she were an animal she’d be: Rainbow Lorakeet
She gets annoyed when: Sunday drivers are out during the week also!!
Advice to live by: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are

JONATHAN EMERSON

Position: Head Cheesemaker
Started at Whitestone: 2011
Nickname: Jony
Favourite cheese: Windsor Blue
Favourite movie: Oldboy (the original)
He can’t do without: Books
Favourite drink: Coca Cola
If he were an animal he’d be: An otter
Advice to live by: The golden rule...

CAROLINE WALDRON

Position: HR Manager
Started at Whitestone: 2022
Favourite Cheese: Round Hill
What she always says: "...and why do you think that is?"
Proudest moment: Whenever my daughter shows kindness
She can’t do without: Sunshine and coffee
Favourite drink: A good old solid Cabernet Sauvignon
What does she do in her spare time: Bake
Advice to live by: Life is all about managing expectations

ANNA MURPHY

Position: Marketing Manager
Started at Whitestone: 2021
Nickname: The one from Auckland
Favourite Cheese: Oamaru Blue, Vintage Five Forks
Favourite Drink: A crisp lager or a fruity Rosé
Hobbies: Snowboarding & making killer Spotify playlists
Can't do without: A tropical holiday escape in the middle of winter
Advice to live by: Things are never as bad as you think they are

CAROLINE FORWARD

Position: Dispatch Customer Service Adminstrator
Nickname: Caro
Favourite Cheese: Five Forks & Round Hill
Can't do without: Morning coffee
Favourite drink: Bubbles or Hazy Beer
Most courageous moment: Backwards skydive
Advice to live by: If you are unhappy, you can change your reality

ADELE HURLEY

Position: QA Officer
Favourite Cheese: Mt Kyeburn
Favourite sport: V8 Supercars
Favourite drink: Wine
What she does in her spare time: Read, crossword puzzles

HANNAH MORE

Position: Sales Administrator
Nickname: Han
Favourite Cheese: Super Vintage Totara Tasty
Proudest moment: Buying my first home with my partner
She can’t do without: Music, Coffee and her Fur Babies
Favourite drink: Coke Zero Sugar
What you're always saying: This is Hannah not Anna!

JESSICA WALSH

Position: Logistics Supervisor
Started at Whitestone: 2021
Nickname: Jess/ Jessie/"J"
Favourite Cheese: Lindis Pass Brie and Ferry Road Halloumi, of course!
Favourite Drink: A glass (or two) of bubbles!
Proudest Moment: Bringing my two beautiful children into the world
Can't do without: Coffee and a good podcast
Favourite Sport: Anything motorsports
Advice to live by: "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." Mark Twain

DEBBIE JONES

Position: Office & Administration Assistant
Started at Whitestone: 2010
Nickname: Debs
Favourite Cheese: Mt Domett Double Cream Brie
Proudest moment: Too many to mention!
She can’t do without: Chocolate – brain food
Favourite drink: Baileys and masters choc milk
If she were an animal she’d be: Cockatoo
Advice to live by: There are no problems, just solutions

MARIA DAVEY

Position: Auckland Sales Rep / Merchandiser
Started at Whitestone: June 2011
Nickname: Mia
Favourite Cheese: Windsor Blue
What she always says: “Live in the moment”, “dance like no-one’s watching”.
Proudest moment: Becoming a grandma
She can’t do without: Family/grandkids
Favourite drink: Marlborough Bubbles
If she were an animal she’d be: A pampered pooch
She gets annoyed when: Other people are right and I am wrong!!

HELEN BROWN

Position: Wellington Sales Rep / Merchandiser
Started at Whitestone: 2013
Favourite cheese: Windsor Blue
She can’t do without: Chocolate
Favourite drink: Coffee

seriously good cheese people