Manufacturing Centres Interim Advisory Board Members
Mr Jim Walker (Chair)
Mr Andrew Dettmer
Professor Margaret Gardner
Mr Bruce Griffiths
Mr Bob Herbert, AM
Mr Paul Howes
Mr Phil Kemp
Mr Andrew King
Ms Angela Krepcik
Mr David Malloch
Mr Tony Pensabene
Mr Len Piro
Mr William Purton
Mr Greg Redden
Ms Liz Reece
Professor Arun Sharma
Ms Dianne (Di) Tompson
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Jim Walker (Chair)
CEO
QMI Solutions
Jim Walker was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Manufacturing Institute (QMI) Solutions Limited in August 2006.
Before joining QMI Solutions Jim worked at Boeing Australia for 9 years. During this time Jim was the General Manager Network Enabled Systems (NES) Business Unit. NES was responsible for the project management, engineering and manufacture of communication, command and control and through life systems and solutions to its Defence and other Government customers.
Before joining Boeing Jim served in the Royal Australian Air Force working in the areas of satellite operations, intelligence, engineering and training.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Andrew Dettmer
State Secretary
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)
Andrew is the State Secretary for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Board Member for QMI Solutions, Chair of the Manufacturing Skills Queensland, Board Member for Training and Education Recognition Council, Queensland, Vice-President for the Queensland Council of Unions and President of the Australian Labor Party, Queensland.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Professor Margaret Gardner AO
Vice Chancellor
RMIT University - City Campus
Professor Margaret Gardner was appointed as Vice-Chancellor in April 2005, having previously held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Queensland. Professor Gardner has had a prominent career as an academic, working in a number of Australian institutions including Griffith University, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Deakin University.
In recent years, Professor Gardner has provided strategic advice on educational pathways, human resource management, equity and employment and industrial relations to governments, industry and a broad range of institutions. She also serves on the boards of a number of bodies, including in the arts and education sectors.
Professor Gardner has the following qualifications BEcon (Hons), PhD Syd., DUniv Griffith, FAIM, GAICD.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Bruce Griffiths
Managing Director
Futuris Automotive
Bruce Griffiths was appointed to Managing Director of Air International Group Limited (now known as Futuris Automotive Group) in June 1992.
In 1982, the company was floated to a public listing on the Australian Stock Exchange. Since then the business diversified into a number of areas - heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, electronic controls, seat systems, seat hardware, interior trim, steering and other metal pressed components and assemblies. In 1990, the company merged with Futuris Corporation Limited to form a larger public group.
Since 1992 Futuris Automotive has established international joint-ventures in India, China, Thailand and Malaysia and wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.K. and U.S.A. In 2006 the company was re-named to Futuris Automotive Group Limited and 65% of Air International Thermal Systems was divested to a private equity partner. Futuris remains a 100% owner of Futuris Automotive Interiors.
Bruce was inducted to the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame for services to the Manufacturing Industry, and also awarded the Centenary Medal from the Prime Minister on 30th May 2003 for Services to the Development of the Auto Industry Policy
Bruce holders the following Directorships:
- AIM Metals Pty Ltd
- AutoCRC (Advanced Automotive Technology Ltd)
- Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers
- Futuris Automotive Group Limited
- Futuris Automotive Pty Ltd
- Futuris Automotive Interiors Holdings Pty Ltd
- Futuris Automotive Interiors (US) Inc
- Futuris Automotive Interiors (Anhui) Co Ltd
- Futuris Automotive Interiors (Australia) Pty Ltd
- Griffleigh Pty Ltd
- Industry Capability Network Limited
- Monoduo Pty Ltd
- Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
- Steering Systems Australia Pty Ltd
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Bob Herbert
Chairman
Innovation Exchange Australia
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Paul Howes
National Secretary
Australian Workers Union (AWU)
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Phil Kemp
CEO
Coastal Business Centre
Phillip Kemp is the Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Business Centre Inc and a part time lecturer in the School of Management at Curtin University of Technology in small business and entrepreneurship. Phillip has qualifications in agricultural science, small business facilitation and company management and is recognised as an industry expert in the field of small business development.
He has published widely on Small Medium Enterprises (SME) and micro-enterprise development issues with particular reference to international best practice in business incubation operation and has conducted international research and published comparative international studies on the provision of SME and micro-enterprise business advisory and support services. He holds key positions on a number of national boards and associations including Chairperson of the Business Incubator Association of Western Australia and National Board Member of Business Innovation and Incubation Australia.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Andrew King
CEO
Victa Lawncare
Andrew King has been Chief Executive Officer of Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd (a unit of GUD holdings) since 2001. Prior to Victa, Andrew was Vice President (South Pacific) for Carrier Air-conditioning and Executive General Manager of Southcorp Appliances.
As a graduate Mechanical Engineer, Andrew has spent his working life in manufacturing, including some household brands like Rheem, Goyen Controls, Hoover, Carrier and Victa across Packaging, Appliances and Industrial Equipment industries.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Ms Angela Krepcik
CEO
Advanced Manufacturing Australia
Angela Krepcik currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Manufacturing Australia (AMAus). AMAus is a national industry association covering all aspects of precision engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.
The organisation is heavily involved in marketing its member capabilities both nationally and internationally. It does this with the assistance of Austrade as an “Approved Body” under the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme.
AMAus’ official mandate is to support Australian export growth with the assistance of government agencies and to provide expert services to the Advanced Manufacturing sector.
Angela has been in this role for almost 6 years and in that capacity has worked with companies in a variety of industry sectors including automotive, aerospace and defence, medical and mining. Prior to that she worked in various industry and professional associations in materials engineering, automotive and mining.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr David Malloch
CEO
Malloch Digital Design
David Malloch is the CEO of Malloch Digital Design, which specialises in the design and manufacture of microprocessor-based security-related equipment. David started business in 1985, with Malloch Digital Design which was sold in 1989, then subsequently re-acquired in 1992. The second business was Endurance Electronics- one of its products was a key control product that was exported to many parts of the world; this business was sold in 2002. Endurance Electronics won two ACT Export Awards.
David started Capital Angels in 2004 to provide business in Canberra with access to growth capital via angel investing. Over 30 companies have presented to Capital Angels with about 20% attracting investment. David has personally invested in three companies.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Tony Pensabene
Associate Director
Australian Industry Group, Economics and Research
In 2005 Tony Pensabene was appointed the Associate Director (Economics and Research) at the Australian Industry Group, after serving as National Manager, Economics and Business for the last six years.
Prior to the formation of the Ai Group in July 1998 (when it merged with the Metal Trades Industry Association), he was Chief Economist with the Australian Chamber of Manufactures, for four years.
He is responsible for the development of Ai Group’s economic and industry policies, the design and management of economic and business surveys, and the provision of a wide range of economic services to member and non-member companies.
Tony has held senior economic and policy positions with the Commonwealth Department of Health, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs and has undertaken major consultancy projects for the Federal and Victorian Governments and for private business.
His economic and policy experience covers a wide range of disciplines, including industry and innovation policy, inter-government relations, labour market programs, media policy, health services, aged care and post-arrival programs.
He has a research Masters Degree in Economics from Monash University, an author of a book on the economics of the medical profession, and has published widely on economic and policy issues.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Len Piro
Executive Director
SA Department of Trade and Industry, Manufacturing and Business Services
Len Piro is the Executive Director of the Manufacturing and Business Services Division in the South Australian Department of Trade and Economic Development. He is also a board member of the SA Centre for Innovation Incorporated, a business service delivery unit promoting innovation through the uptake of new technologies, skills and management systems.
Len represents the Department on the boards of the Electronics Industry Association, the Water Industry Alliance and the Advisory Board of the Mawson Institute (UniSA). He has worked on the Submarine Contract Task Force, the automotive sector and is currently involved in arrangements surrounding the closure of Mitsubishi’s manufacturing facility.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr William Purton
Managing Director
Yurunga Hill Farms
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Mr Greg Redden
Executive Manager
CSIRO - SME Engagement
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Ms Liz Reece
CEO
Autofab Australia P/L
Autofab is a leader in design, manufacture and supply of automotive interior trim materials. We supply all three OEMs and gain business mostly via competitive tender. 2007 - 2008 turnover was in excess of $20m with a lean team of 31 staff.
Liz, a designer by profession, was the driving force in creating Autofab in 1996 and has been managing the company since. She has been award the following:
- Victorian Government Manufacturing Excellence Award (2003)
- Victorian Government Manufacturing Hall of Fame (16th Member)
- Monash Business Award’s Business of the Year (2003)
- Achieved TS16949 system, one of the first 25% suppliers to be accredited
- Design Institute of Australia's Special Award for Design Excellence
- Australian Design Award "Design Mark" for the Holden Acclaim fabric
- Toyota Presidents Supplier of the Year Award (2003)
- Board member of Melbourne’s Federal Government Area Consultative Committee (ACC) (2003-2007).
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Professor Arun Sharma
Deputy Vice Chancellor
QUT, Division of Research and Commercialisation
Arun Sharma is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He is a member of the Queensland Premier's Smart State Council. In 2008, he was appointed to the Independent Advisory Council of the Australian Research Council.
He was the co-founder of National ICT Australia Limited (NICTA) and the inaugural director of its Sydney Research Laboratory. Prior to NICTA, he was the Head of the School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) where he played an important role in establishment of the CRC for Smart Internet Technology.
His current board memberships include QMI Solutions, Gallipoli Research Foundation, CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management, CRC for Smart Services and qutbluebox Pty Ltd. His past board memberships include Sugar Research Limited, Farmacule Bioindustries Pty Ltd, CRC for Diagnostics and CRC for Construction Innovation.
He is currently President of the Australia India Business Council (Queensland Chapter).
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Ms Dianne Tompson
Managing Director
Novaris, Powercom Systems, Powercom Consultants and Datacall Telemetry
Diane Tompson is a dynamic business leader in the Tasmanian business community. In 2005 she received the honour of being acknowledged as Tasmania’s, Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
Diane and her husband Phillip own four Tasmanian companies, Novaris Pty Ltd, Powercom Systems Pty Ltd, Powercom Consultants Pty Ltd and Datacall Telemetry Pty Ltd. Diane is a founding director of the Board of The Powercom Group and is co-owner of Novaris Technologies Malaysia.
Diane is a member of the Skills Tasmania Board, the Tasmanian Manufacturing Industry Council, the ITIC Council, the National Board of Family Business Australia, a current board member of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and SCOPE. Diane is the Chairman of Family Business Australia (Tasmania) and the current National President-Elect of Women Chiefs of Enterprises International. She has recently been appointed president of the inaugural Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music Alumni.