governance

A career in IT&T taught me that outages were an unwanted and often preventable feature of operations. Of many possible causes, one of the most disruptive and time-consuming was underground cable damage. This triggered my initial interest in (Dial) Before You Dig, an organisation with a core purpose to prevent damage to public assets and prevent harm to people. My passion was reinvigorated through the Transformation Project, which redesigned existing organisations into a single streamlined, customer-focused, agile entity. BYDA is now in a great position to deliver increasing value to its stakeholders, and I am pleased to have a small part in the exciting future journey.

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.

As WA’s dedicated regional director, I find profound fulfilment in my role within BYDA. My commitment to safety and innovation aligns seamlessly with BYDA’s dedication to the industry and the safeguarding of both public interests and our members’ assets. Being part of the board and the audit and risk committee allows me to leverage expertise, collaborate effectively, and make impactful decisions. My enthusiasm stems from BYDA’s purpose, recognising my role in shaping success and fostering positive community and industry impacts. Excited about driving sustainability, I am committed to delivering significant value to our members and users.

Much of my career has been involved in building and maintaining utility infrastructure. I have always been passionate about the health and well-being of people and protecting our assets. In recent years, I was given the opportunity to sit on the DBYD board and work with other like-minded people. One of my career highlights was being part of the Transformation Project team that designed and implemented the transformation from DBYD to the newly branded BYDA we see today. BYDA is a more collaborative, streamlined, and agile organisation that provides its members with an improved service that helps minimise asset damages and zero harm to people.

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.