Ian Martella
Company Director
The man in charge (aka Marty). Marty co-founded Callahan and Martella Electrical in 2001. With an impressive 30 years in the electrical industry, Marty is our guiding force at Callahan and Martella. Beyond his professional expertise, Marty is deeply committed to our community and passionate about the contributions we make. Marty is a man always on the go with many hobbies, You’ll often find him down at the rugby pitch, up Rainbow Ski field, carving up the slopes whenever he can and has conquered the Coast to Coast twelve times over, and keeps himself busy with mountain climbing, hunting, kayaking, and cycling to keep himself active and challenged.
Adrian Dirkx
Project Manager/Electrical & Contracts Manager
Adrian joined our team in 2023 as Project Manager and has since taken on the role of Electrical and Contracts Manager. Hailing from Auckland, Adrian brings a refreshing blend of big-city charisma and expertise to our team. Adrian is not only a driving force for our electricians, but he also has a competitive spirit—he likes to think he can teach the team a thing or two on the pool table! His leadership and energy have already made a significant impact, and we’re thrilled to have him with us.
Kylie McGarva
Office Manager
Our dedicated Office Manager and jack of all trades! With an impressive 21-year tenure at Callahan and Martella! Kylie oversees a team of two office staff members and has witnessed our team grow from 4 to 26 members. Beyond work, Kylie's true passion lies with her family: her two boys and supportive husband are her driving force. When not at the office, Kylie divides her time between Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds, spending 4 days inland and 3 days by the coast. She embodies our company's core values and plays a vital role in our ongoing success. We're proud to have her leadership and dedication at the heart of our operations
Gary Roberts
Commercial Appliance Technician Manager
A master in Appliance Repair and Maintenance, though he might tell you his true passion lies in fishing! Alongside him are his trusty offsiders Pam, Jade, and Gina. Gary boasts an impressive 12-year tenure with the team, where his cheeky attitude and quick wit keep everyone on their toes. Recently, Gary achieved a significant milestone by becoming a proud poppa to Lexie! His unparalleled knowledge and experience make him an invaluable asset to the team.
Georgia Penno
Receptionist
Georgia is the friendly face that greets you at reception as you step into our office. With her positive attitude and cheery smile, she sets the tone for a welcoming environment. Whether answering phone calls or assisting visitors in person, Georgia’s excellent communication skills shine through. She also plays a crucial role in coordinating service schedules for our appliance technicians and electricians, ensuring seamless operations and efficient service delivery. Beyond her reception duties, Georgia impresses us with her baking talents, often treating us to yummy treats.
Hollie Moreton
Accounts Administrator
Meet Hollie, a dedicated member of our office team for three years, where she excels at managing our debtors. Balancing her role here and time spent with her son Callum, Hollie splits her days between the office and being home to oversee her boys' adventures. When not immersed in family activities, Hollie enjoys gardening and caring for her numerous pets.
Pam Casey
Commercial Appliance Technician
Introducing our lovely Pam! She has been with the team just over two years and in that time has completed her Appliance Technician apprenticeship. Pam is a cheeky wee fire cracker that is always up for a laugh. At home she keeps herself busy with two very active puppies and three young boys! We are so proud of our Pam for passing her exams and getting herself qualified but watch out, she heading back into another apprenticeship to be an electrician!
Jade Matthews
Commercial Appliance Technician
Meet Jade, one of our skilled commercial appliance technicians! With six years of experience, Jade has tackled a diverse range of equipment, from coffee machines and dishwashers to ovens, grills, and fryers. Beyond his technical expertise, Jade is a family man, with three kids alongside his wife, Kuepe. His sharp problem-solving skills make him an invaluable asset when it comes to resolving any commercial appliance issue.
Gina Bateman
Commercial Appliance Technician Apprentice
The latest addition to the Appliance technician team, Gina! You may often see her teamed up with one of the other Appliance techs learning all she needs to know! She is also a star at the Parking Meters around town keeping them running smoothly! Although she can’t get you out of a parking ticket, she is always happy to help with the meters! Gina keeps busy at home with her many pets.
Mitch Alderlieste
Security & Data Technician
Our sole Security & Data Technician, Mitch. He's one of the most talented guitarists and singers we've come across. You might have caught him playing at various gigs around Blenheim or his old stomping ground in Wellington. With us for over three years now, Mitch not only excels in his role handling alarms, cameras, and all things security at Callahan and Martella, but he's also the proudest dad to his daughter Romee, alongside his wife Laura. Mitch is quite the character—there's never a dull moment with him, and he always has an entertaining story to share!
Danish Puthuppara
Electrical Engineer
Danish is one of the newest additions to the team and is an Electrical Engineer! Danish is a master programmer and frequently works on irrigation systems ensuring smooth operation all over Marlborough. Danish and his wife relocated to Marlborough at the end of last year.
Jeremy Ross
Electrician
First in the lineup of electricians we have Jeremy, he has been with the company for eighteen years! Jeremy has been with us almost since day one. Jeremy is known to be seen smashing out new build pre-wires and fit-offs! At home, Jeremy has two lovely daughters and his wife Belinda. Being one of our senior Electricians Jeremy has been throwing cables around longer than some of our apprentices have been alive, but that doesn’t stop him getting in and showing them how it’s done! Jeremy is such a wealth of knowledge and the team are so lucky to have him around.
Jordan MacMillan
Electrician
Meet Jordan, aka Jordy, one of our dedicated Fire Fighters! Jordy has been with us for nine years, completing his apprenticeship and proving himself to be a true jack-of-all-trades and master of them all. Whether he's tackling fires or fault-finding on a breakdown, Jordy’s expertise and versatility are invaluable. When he’s not busy with fire fighting or big electrical projects, he’s lending a hand with service team tasks like breakdowns and quotes. His lovely partner, Ashleigh, must have her hands full with his quick wit and lively personality—there’s never a dull moment with Jordy around!
Finn Tito
Electrician
Meet Finn, another one of the Fire Fighters on the team! Like Jordy, Finn has been with us since his apprenticeship and has become a cornerstone of our team. While Finn may not be in the office often, his expertise shines on big projects, where he not only excels but also champions health and safety. His hands-on experience makes him a fantastic mentor, sharing his extensive knowledge with the next generation of sparkies. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Finn either hitting the gym or free diving in the open water, balancing his high-energy work with his adventurous hobbies.
James Schofield
Electrician
We’re excited to introduce James, who has been a valuable member of our team since 2018, starting with an electrical apprenticeship. In 2021, he participated in The Hits Marlborough Apprentice Challenge, and we’re proud to say he’s now fully qualified! James is also a fantastic dad to his lively little girl, Harlow, who certainly keeps him on his toes. James is such an asset to our team, adept at tackling major electrical projects and skilled in fault finding. His expertise and enthusiasm make him a go-to person for a variety of tasks around here.
Alan Fergusson
Electrician
Primarily working alongside Georgia on the service team, Alan tackles everything from light repairs to complex electrical breakdowns with expertise and dedication. Recently, Alan has expanded his skill set by becoming qualified in thermal imaging, adding even more value to his role. Outside of work, Alan stays active with his hobbies, including kayaking, playing football with his son Campbell and spending time with his wife Claire. He also plays a crucial role in supporting our apprentices, guiding them through their assessments and course requirements with enthusiasm and expertise. Alan’s commitment to both his work and his family makes him a truly valued member of our team.
Justin Hemmingson
Electrician
In a league of his own, we proudly present Justin—our talented electrician based in Kaikoura. A true jack of all trades, he excels in new builds, service work, commercial fit-outs, and so much more! Whether it's a small repair or a large project, Justin's expertise and dedication shine through.
Angus Speedy
Apprentice Electrician
Angus, AKA Gus is also a third-year apprentice and we can not wait to see him qualified, although it feels like Gus has always been here with us he joined the team mid 2023 to finish off his apprenticeship. Gus is the man on the case when it comes to Solar installations or faulty systems. There is never a dull moment with Gus around he sure keeps the office ladies on their toes! Outside of work Gus spends his time on the family farm, hunting, diving and we assume causing a general ruckus about the place.
Riley Coburn
Apprentice Electrician
Riley was introduced to the team through the Gateway program at Marlborough Boys College, starting with us in 2020 doing an electrical apprenticeship. Riley is in his third year of his apprenticeship and is learning the ins and outs of electrical systems, Riley is dedicated to mastering the trade and is always eager to tackle new challenges on the job and we are so excited to see him get qualified.
Scott Mitchell
Apprentice Electrician
A valuable member of our team who brings a unique blend of experience and enthusiasm! Although he’s currently a second-year electrical apprentice, Scott is also a qualified Linesman, having joined us in 2022.
At home, he’s a proud dad to four wonderful daughters and shares life with his lovely wife, Vanessa. Scott’s ability to balance family and work adds to his charm and relatability within the team. With his extensive background in line work, Scott offers a wealth of knowledge that is truly indispensable. We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to see how he continues to grow in his electrical career!
Blake Macfarlane
Apprentice Electrician
Meet Blake, another new member of the team who joined us April 2024. Currently in the final stages of his apprenticeship, Blake has already made an impact since joining us in April. As he approaches qualification, we’re excited to support him on this journey and can’t wait to see the great things he’ll achieve. With his dedication and enthusiasm, Blake is sure to become a valuable asset to our team!
Ryan Spence
Apprentice Electrician
First of the second-year apprentices we have Ryan! We recently introduced Ryan as one of the Volunteers we have one the team, he spends him time out in Picton with the Coastguard team. Ryan completed his first year with flying colors, acing his end-of-year exam! We couldn’t be prouder of his achievements and the hard work he puts in every day. As he embarks on his second year, we’re eager to see how he continues to grow and excel in the electrical trade.
Luke Martella
Apprentice Electrician
Luke joined our team in April 2024 and is already making waves in his first year of apprenticeship! With a friendly demeanor and a cheeky sense of humor, Luke brings a fun energy that brightens the workplace. Outside of work, Luke enjoys staying active and can often be found playing sports or exploring the outdoors. His willingness to lend a hand and his positive attitude make him a fantastic team player.
Cohen Stewart
Apprentice Electrician
Cohen joined our team at the end of 2023 and is diving headfirst into his first year of apprenticeship. With a cheeky attitude which seems to be contagious throughout the team, Cohen brings a vibrant energy to our crew. Outside of work, Cohen stays busy with his passions for hunting and rugby, showcasing his adventurous spirit. His can-do attitude and willingness to lend a hand whenever needed truly embody the team spirit we value. We can’t wait to see all that you’ll achieve in your apprenticeship!