Board Members
Current and former Board members and trustees with the Honourable Dr. Brendan Nelson AO
Board of Directors & Foundation Members
The General Douglas MacArthur Brisbane Memorial Foundation Ltd is managed by a Board of Directors and Foundation Members.
Board of Directors
Mr Chris Johnson
Chairman
Chris has been involved with the Museum for over ten years, initially as Honorary Treasurer and more recently as a member of the Board. Chris is a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He retired as a partner in PwC 2011 and has since held a number of board and committee roles.
Mr David Hudson
Director
David Hudson had a career in Defence managing projects before transitioning to mainstream project management with the Queensland Government. He later joined CPM Group and was the National President for the Australian Institute of Project Management. David joined the Board in 2025.
Mr John Forsythe
John has been involved with the Museum for 5+ years. He is Brisbane-based and has a focus on Technology. He is a dual citizen of Australia and the United States, and is an avid student of history. John is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, and has an MBA from the University of NSW (AGSM).
Mr Allan Pidgeon
In 2019, Allan joined the MacArthur Foundation as a Director. Allan is also President of the National Flag Association (Qld), a Trustee of the Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust, and a Director of the Queensland Private Enterprise Centre (allied with Griffith University Business School).
Major John Wright
RFD (Retd)
Major John Wright first became an Executive Officer for the MacArthur Museum in 2013, and then a Managing Director in 2019.
Vacant
Director
Alicia Doherty
Alicia has served on the board of The American Club, Sydney, and was President of the Australian American Association in Canberra. Her father was a US Marine and she served in the US Army as a UH-1H Helicopter Repairer and Aviation Life Support Equipment Specialist.
Professor Charles Sampford
Professor Charles Sampford is the Foundation Dean of Law and Research Professor in Ethics at Griffith University. He brings a deep knowledge of strategic planning, extensive governance work, and grant management to the Board.
Foundation Members
Lt Col John Dwyer
AM, OAM (Retd)
John has been with the Foundation since it was formed in 1998. He took on the task of the first Executive Officer, responsible for the fundraising and building of the Museum until it opened in 2004 when he then moved to a Director’s position. Prior to this he served in the ADF as in Infantry and SAS Officer for 25 years. On leaving the Army he took on various roles such as a Local government Councillor and risk Management consulting. John is the immediate past Foundation Secretary.
Mr Geoffrey Thomas
AO
Geoferry Thomas AO is a major benefactor, trustee and foundation member of MacArthur Museum Brisbane.
Capt Andrew Craig
OAM, RAN (Retd)
Andrew joined the board in 2015 as a Director. He retired as a Director in 2023 and continues to contribute to the Foundation as a Member. Andrew has been Chair, Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary (2013 -2019), Vice Chair, Queensland Veterans’ Advisory Council (2013-2020) and President of Legacy Brisbane.
Mr Andrew Butcher
Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Sign Site. He joined the board in 2019 as a Director and was committee chair for the Marketing & Fundraising committee. Andrew retired as a Director in 2023 and continues to contribute to the Foundation as a Member
Foundation Members
Colonel Dennis Scanlan
CSM, RFD (Retd)
Dennis joined the MacArthur Foundation as a Director in 2023. Dennis worked in the financial services industry, mainly with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. As an Army Reservist. Dennis was Colonel Commandant, Royal Australian Corps of Transport – Northern Region (QLD). He establish a HQ historical collection precinct and was responsible for the writing of Training for War - The History of Headquarters 1st Division 1914 – 2014. Dennis is the Past President of the United Service Club. Dennis retrired as a Director in 2025 and continues to contribute to the Foundation as a Member
The Honourable Santo Santoro
Mr Santoro rejoined the Board in 2025, having previously served as a Trustee and Director of the MacArthur Foundation since 2008. His alma mater is Marist College Rosalie and the University of Queensland, earning degrees in Arts and Economics with Honours. He served in both state and federal politics, including as Queensland Minister for Training and Industrial Relations and later as Federal Minister for Ageing. He now operates a consultancy advising on public policy, strategy, and business development.
Vacant
Member
Vacant
Member
Foundation Secretary
Mr Stuart Mackay
Foundation Secretary
Stuart joins the Foundation Board as Secretary for the Genral Douglas MacArthur Brisbane Memorial Foundation Ltd. Stuart is a volunteer at the MacArthur Museum Brisbane having joined as a volunteer in 2016. Stuart is an ex serving Army Officer and now consults as a Microsoft Trainer for a number of clients in the Brisbane regional area. Stuart was made a member of the Board in 2023.
Vale
The MacArthur Museum-Brisbane remembers with gratitude the service of our first Chairman of Trustees, Sir Leo Hielscher AC. Sir Leo continued his support for the Museum up until very recently. He was a regular attendee at events at the Museum over many years, bringing with him his years of experience, coupled with a wonderful sense of humour.
The Museum extends its condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.
Vale: Colonel Phillip Gould
The MacArthur Museum-Brisbane is saddened by the sudden death of Phil Gould at home in 2019. A distinguished Infantry Officer with over 30 years of service, Phil brought his leadership and dedication to our Foundation as a valued Board Member, Deputy Chair and Chairman. He was a noble warrior, popular and greatly respected for his leadership. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Joanne, daughter Rebecca and family.