governance

As a long-term participant in the energy industry, I have always held safety as a core value, particularly as a senior leader in an organisation that owns and operates high-pressure gas pipelines. Protecting public safety is part of our purpose. When the opportunity to become a director arose, I saw it as a way to assist with safety across the gas pipeline sector and beyond. It is with great pride that I played a part in the organisation’s transformation, improving the service’s quality and efficiency. I look forward to being part of the next chapter of BYDA.

Drawing upon 28 years of experience within the telecommunications industry, particularly focusing on construction and maintenance, safeguarding against damage has become an integral part of my professional identity. Throughout my career, I have directly observed the profound consequences that infrastructure damage can inflict on communities and enterprises. Thus, my decision to join the BYDA board was a natural progression. This board position provides a platform for me to apply my expertise in asset protection, advocate for resilient damage prevention strategies, and collaborate with fellow professionals who share a similar passion. Together, we aim to support BYDA members, businesses, and the broader public in safeguarding assets and ensuring the well-being of individuals nationwide.

Ensuring the safety of our community and protecting the assets of Australia’s most critical infrastructure has been a priority for me through more than 12 years of construction and operations in the telecommunications industry. Experiencing the impacts on asset owners, builders, and affected stakeholders creates a strong passion to be part of the solution. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve on the board of an organisation with such a unique value proposition to the industry and our communities.

I am an experienced Public Safety Specialist and Keynote Speaker. In 2020, I was named the Australian Safety Professional of the Year and recently awarded the 2022 Damage Prevention Hero of the Year at the Global Excavation Safety Conference in Tampa, Florida. Some of my impactful work includes the Look Up and Live app, an award-winning powerline mapping tool. With knowledge and advocacy of various at-risk industries, I emphasise safety through easily understandable presentations.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Abaxa, a rapidly expanding Subsurface Utility Engineering enterprise based in Western Australia, I leverage over two decades of expertise in safeguarding individuals and assets by delivering comprehensive solutions spanning from design inception to project completion. My leadership ethos revolves around fostering a collective vision, igniting enthusiasm for future prospects, and empowering teams to achieve remarkable results. My unwavering commitment to providing a voice to the user base, innovation and uncompromising standards of excellence drive my endeavours. I take great pride in my role on the Board, where I am dedicated to propelling BYDA towards unprecedented levels of achievement. In this capacity, I champion the paramount values of safety, diversity, collaboration, and industry leadership, ensuring a steadfast course toward success.

With 35+ years in the utility industry across Australia and New Zealand, my expertise revolves around asset management solutions, its use in field operations, and digital transformation. As a leader, I have had the privilege to drive several initiatives in my career, enhancing systems, processes, and data quality through new technology solutions. With previous experience from the NSW/ACT DBYD board, I’m excited to contribute to BYDA’s digital transformation. I aim to leverage digital visualisation technologies to simplify asset information, improve accessibility, industry safety, standardisation, and collaboration, supporting BYDA in shaping the future of utility damage prevention.