A company of eminent and passionate former senior Defence and defence industry personnel
Lead by MajGen Jim Molan (former Chief of Operations, Multi-National Force – Iraq), Mr Paul Barratt (former Defence Secretary), Dr. Bill Schofield (former Director, DSTO-Melbourne) and Dr. Daniel Ho (former DSTO scientist), aadi Defence’s team consists of former Defence chiefs, senior military leaders, scientists, CEOs and chairpersons of successful companies, technologists, commercialisation experts and experienced project managers.
Dr. David Wyllie brings to aadiDefence over 40 years experience in the Defence sector in a range of maritime and platforms related activities. Dr. Wyllie was the Chief of DSTO’s Maritime Platforms and Air Vehicles Divisions prior to retirement from DSTO and also served as a Scientific Advisor to the Royal Australian Navy and was active interactions with allied defence forces.
Career History
• Director General Science Policy, DSTO
• Chief Air Vehicles Division, DSTO
• Chief Maritime Platforms Division, DSTO
Awards & Qualifications
• PhD in Physics (Radioastronomy), University of Sydney
• MBA, University of California, Davis.
• Green card holder
Dr. Don Sinnott brings to aadiDefence extensive experience from a career as a defence electronic systems expert, with professional R&D experience in the areas of applied electromagnetics, including radio and radar systems, antennas and radio propagation, signal processing and global navigation satellite systems. Dr. Sinnott has been the Chief of a number of DSTO research Divisions, First Assistant Secretary Science Policy, CEO of the CRC for Sensor Signal and Information Processing, Director of several technology spin-off companies and is Adjunct Professor of Radar Systems at the University of Adelaide.
As an independent electronic systems consultant Dr Sinnott delivers specialist courses and workshops in his fields of specialist expertise. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Career History
• Chief of a number of DSTO research Divisions in sensing and IT disciplines
• Department of Defence’s Canberra-based First Assistant Secretary Science Policy
• CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sensor Signal and Information Processing
• Company Board Chairman of the CRC’s spin-off companies
• Adjunct Professor of Radar Systems, University of Adelaide;
Awards & Qualifications
• PhD (1972, Syracuse Univ, USA), MEng Sc (1967) and BE(Elec) (1966) both Melbourne Univ
• Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia
• Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Geoff Trowbridge has over 30 years experience as a Project Management Professional in the aviation, transport, telecommunications, information technology and manufacturing industries. After joining the RAAF and subsequently becoming a weapons systems engineer maintaining and modifying Mirage, F-111 and Orion P3C aircraft avionics, radar and weapons systems, he extended his service to Defence to Navy, Army and Defence Materiel projects, including extensive experience bidding for and assessing tenders. After leaving active service, he moved into telecommunications engineering and worked on a number of major defence communications projects. He has held senior management positions with organisations including Optus, Siemens, Ernst & Young, PeopleSoft (now Oracle), ERG as well as smaller, medium sized high tech companies. He has also worked in research and development facilities in London, Chicago and Curtin University, Perth. Geoff has extensive experience as a bid manager assisting SMEs to enter the Defence Sector and is an active member of AIDN.
Awards & Qualifications
• Masters in Project Management from George Washington University
• Graduate Diploma in Marketing from Macquarie University
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management
• Certified Project Management Professional
• Certified Professional Logistician and a Chartered Engineer
As the Innovation Professor, Aeronautical Design, at RMIT University in Melbourne, Prof. Clark leads research into the degradation of aircraft components, repair, life extension and crashworthiness. He has served as the Australian National Delegate to the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue, as the National Leader of the Materials Performance in Systems panel of The Technical Cooperation Program, and on numerous structural review teams/panel. He has authored over 250 publications in the structural integrity area, and has received numerous ‘best paper’ awards.
Career History
• Research Leader, Structural Integrity, DSTO Melbourne
• Lead investigator, DSTO Accident Investigation Team
Awards & Qualifications
• John W Lincoln Medal (awarded by USAir Force)
• Plantema Memorial award (Int Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue)
• Air Vice Marshal Dietz Medallion for Outstanding Quality of Advice to RAAF (RAAF)
• Director’s Award for Outstanding Research, DSTO Materials Research Laboratories (DSTO)
• DSTO Achievement Award for Outstanding Science & Technology (DSTO)
• Achievement Award, The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP)
• Achievement Award, The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP)
• Chief Defence Scientist’s Award for Excellent Science and Professional Judgement in support of HMAS Collins (ADF)
• Award for Best Technical Advice to Australian Defence Force (ADF)
• Editorial Board Member, Engineering Failure Analysis
• Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Fatigue
• Masters in Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge
• PhD in Fatigue and Fracture, University of Cambridge
AVM Blackburn specialises in the field of Strategy, Systems Thinking and Organisational Design. He has initiated, designed and implemented transformational change programs in both large and small organisations both in Australia and overseas in USA, UK, Europe, and Asia. He currently is a member of the State of NSW’s Defence Industry Advisory Board. He has extensive experience across the fields of strategy, policy, planning, operational command, capability development and material acquisition.
Career History
• Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force
• Commander HQ Integrated Area Defence System
• Head of Strategic Policy, Australian DoD
• Director General Policy & Plans, RAAF
• Operational Commands , RAAF
Awards & Qualifications
• Officer of the Order of Australia for services to military aviation.
• Fellow of the Australian Defence College
• Life Member, Society of Experimental Test Pilots
• Master of Defence Studies, University of New England
• Master of Arts (Strategic Studies), La Trobe University, Melbourne
After 31 years of experience with the ADF, Brig Patch departed Defence after serving as Director General Multi-role Helicopter. Since then, Brig Patch has developed and delivered training in project management, contract management, procurement and systems engineering for a number of private and government clients, including Australian Institute of Management, Ergon Energy, BHP Billiton and Brisbane City Council. He is also an adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Project Management Program, School of Business, University of Southern Queensland.
Awards and Qualifications
• Certified Practising Project Director, Australian Institute of Project Management
• Accredited RegPM Assessor, Australian Institute of Project Management
• Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Australian Institute of Management Member (AIMM)
• MBA (Project Management), University of Southern Queensland
Dr. Nick Jans began his career in industry after 25 years of service in the Australian Army, where he worked in field artillery, training, internal consultancy and personnel policy development. Since that time he has consulted to a wide variety of public, private and military organisations in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, including the Australian Tax Office, Australian Customs Service, Australia Post, Defence, ASIO, Victoria Police, the US Navy, NAB and Schlumberger Wireline & Testing. In addition to being an Associate of aadiDefence an Principal of Sigma Consultancy, Nick is a Visiting Fellow on Leadership & Military Sociology at the Centre for Defence Leadership & Ethics, Australian Defence College.
Career History
• Director of Employee Research (Asia-Pacific), Towers Perrin
• Senior lecturer in management, University of Canberra
Awards & Qualifications
• Member of the Order Australia, for service to national security and defence capability
• PhD in Organisational Behaviour, University of South Australia
• Master of Arts in Manpower Studies, London
AIR CDRE Noel Schmidt AM (Ret.) brings to aadiDefence substantial experience from a 35 year career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). In January 1998, he was promoted to Air Commodore to become the inaugural Director General Technical Airworthiness to head-up the newly created Technical Airworthiness Authority for all Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft. AIR CDRE Schmidt had a key role in the establishment of the Airworthiness Boards in 1991 and ongoing operations. He was also the ADF’s Technical Airworthiness Regulator for over 7 years. He has professional qualifications in Aeronautical Engineering, including a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Aircraft Design from Cranfield University. Recognition for his long and successful career has included a Member of the Order of Australia and the award of a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2005.
Career History
• Director General Technical Airworthiness, ADF
• Officer Commanding 501 Wing, RAAF Base Amberley, RAAF
• Director Technical Airworthiness, RAAF
• Commanding Officer, Engineering Sqn, Aircraft Research & Development Unit, RAAF
Awards & Qualifications
• Member of the Order of Australia
• Conspicuous Service Cross
• Master of Science (MSc) degree in Aircraft Design, Cranfield University
Mr. Paul Kristensen brings to aadiDefence substantial experience in nearly all aspects of business development, strategy development, corporate structuring, equity funding, international marketing, licensing of intellectual property and corporate venturing advisory services for leading multinational companies. His expertise lies in scientific research, technology development, international licensing, investment and company management.
Career History
• Chair of the WA Innovation Centre Advisory Committee
• Acting Chairman of Perth’s oldest vocational education institution, Central TAFE, and its Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre
• Founder and Managing Director, Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd
• Founder and Managing Director, DDD Australia / Xenotech Inc.
• Director, Kinetic Ltd
• Executive Director, ERG Ltd
Awards & Qualifications
• B.Sc. (Hons.), Mech. Eng., C.P.Eng., MIEAust.
• Co-authored and published a number of technical and scientific papers with scientists of international reputation, including Nobel Prize laureates
Ms Mau has over 20 years senior executive experience in the Commonwealth Public Service and International Post encompassing foreign investment advice, international pricing and clearing house functions, development of small SMEs, business showcasing and networking and cooperative research and development projects both domestically and internationally. Through her public sector experience, Ms Mau has extensive experience in running facilitation and workshop sessions with SMEs.
Career History
• Manager: International Business Relations Australia Post
• Manager: Industry Development and Deputy Director NSW State Office of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Tourism
• Executive Officer: Australian Manufacturing Council
• Deputy and acting State Director of the Victoria State Office, Department of Industry, Science and Technology
• Director: Department of Industry, Technology and Science
• Director: Country Programs Support Services, Australian International Development Assistance Agency
• Director: Finance and Investment Division of the Treasury
Mr. Peter Sharp brings to AADI Defence over 45 years of experience from working in the Australian Army and Department of Defence. His Army service spanned tours of duty in Vietnam, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. In the Department of Defence, he held senior positions as Inspector General, Head Defence Corporate Support and First Assistant Secretary Personnel.
• Head Personnel Policy, Department of Defence
• Author ‘Defence Strategic Workforce Planning Review’
• Group Head Defence Corporate Support Services
• Inspector General, Department of Defence
• Defence representative on the Australian Bravery Decorations Council
Dr. Krishnamurthy is an expert in applied research in nanotechnology, metallurgy, and materials. In his previous role as Program Manager, Nanomanufacturingin Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd (NanoVic) and NanoVentures Australia Ltd (NVA), Dr. Krishnamurthy was responsible both with directing applied research and helping clients commercialise and implement nanotechnologies into their product offering. As a Board member on the Corporate and Academic advisory boards of Nano Science and Technology Consortium (NSTC), India, Dr. Krishnamurthy is involved in nano technology products.
Career History
• Program Manager, Nanomanufacturing, NVA
• Program Manager, Nanomanufacturing, NanoVic
Awards & Qualifications
• Ph.D (Metallurgy)
• M.Sc (Physics & Engineering)
• B.Sc (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics)
As a former director and general manager of major Defence industries, Dr. Hodge is experienced in providing training and decision support services to key decision makers operating in time sensitive and safety critical areas, such as aviation training, national security and health preparedness.
Career History
• Director – CAE Professional Services, CAE (AUSTRALIA)
• Senior Associate, Canberra, BOOZ & COMPANY (AUSTRALIA)
• Scientific Adviser, Strategic Policy & Planning, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, Australia
• Senior Analyst, Science Adviser Branch, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, Australia
• Counsellor Defence Science (B), DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, Australia
Awards & Qualifications
• PhD in Systems Engineering & Strategy, University of South Australia
• Grad Dip. in Strategic Studies, Australian National University (Joint Services Staff College)
Mr. Richard E. Metrey currently serves as President of the Maritime Technology Alliance Inc and as a consultant for several commercial and government institutions. He retired from US government service in January 2001. Prior to his retirement, he served as the Director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division and prior to formation of the Carderock Division as the Technical Director of its predecessor organization, the David Taylor Research Center (DTRC), for a combined total of 15 years. In this capacity, he was the civilian Chief Executive, directly responsible for the business base and technical program of the organization—its planning, execution, and staffing as well as strategic planning and the fostering of new starts and innovation to provide the foundation for future programs.
Mr. Metrey has published numerous articles, has presented papers and has been the keynote speaker at seminars in the US and abroad. He has been the US representative on several international forums, and has served in high level committees, including the congressionally established Advanced Submarine Advisory Panel. In addition to his leadership responsibilities in the Program of Naval Cooperation with the PRC, he has had extensive international experience including service as the US Chairman of the US/Japan Cooperation in Natural Resources (UJNR) Marine Facilities Panel, service as the US Representative to the European Cooperation in Maritime Research (ECMAR) Committee which includes eight European countries plus the US, leadership of technology delegations to the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Russia and service as the Chief US Negotiator of three Memorandums of Agreement (MOUs) and as a major participant in negotiation of five other MOUs with foreign governments.
Career History
• President of the Maritime Technology Alliance Inc
• Director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
• Technical Director of the David Taylor Research Center (DTRC)
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Surface Warfare.
• Principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Engineering and Systems)
• Director and Principal Point of Contact for the Program of Naval Cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC)
• Chief US Negotiator for the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Co-Production Agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany
Awards and Qualifications
• Presidential Rank Meritorious Executive Award
• Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Medal
• Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal
• George Washington University Engineering Alumnus Achievement Award
• Member of Sigma Xi
Mr. Locket brings to aadiDefence business expertise having grown several technology businesses from start up to medium size in the aviation and defence sectors. He understands the challenges faced by small business in commercialising their technology and in building capability. His defence background and experience as a defence contractor provides a deep understanding of the defence client and service provider relationship.
As a RAAF engineering officer, he held various unit and staff positions in Australia and overseas including head of the RAAF’s aircraft airworthiness section in Canberra. Mr Locket has been in business in the US and Australia for over 25 years.
Career History
• Managing Director, AeroStructures Technologies Pty Ltd
• Managing Director, Advanced Technology Training Pty Ltd
• General Manager, Melbourne Jet Base Pty Ltd
Awards & Qualifications
• Fellow, Royal Aeronautical Society
• Member, The Institution of Engineers, Australia
• MSc (Mech Eng), Cranfield University, UK
Dr. Roger Lough AM brings to aadiDefence experience from a career in Defence science and technology that spanned nearly 45 years. In 2003, Dr. Lough was appointed as Chief Defence Scientist and head of the DSTO. Prior to this, he was Director of various DSTO divisions and had a wide range of Defence science posting both in Australia and overseas including First Assistant Secretary Science Policy. Dr. Lough’s research background lies in advanced weapons along with extensive knowledge in surveillance and intelligence. In 2009, he was awarded with the Member (AM) in the General Division of the Queens Birthday Honours List for service to national security and defence capability through leadership roles with DSTO. He is currently a member of Victorian Defence Industry Advisory Council (VDIAC) and Director of Defence Material Technology Centre (DMTC)
Career History
• Chief Defence Scientist, DoD
• Director of the Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory
• First Assistant Secretary Science Policy
• Chief of Land Operations Division
• Chief of Air Operations Division
• Counsellor Defence Science Australian Embassy Washington
Awards & Qualifications
• Awarded with the Member (AM) in the General Division of the Queens Birthday Honours List for service to national security and defence capability through leadership roles with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
• Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)
• PhD in physical chemistry, University of Adelaide
• Graduate diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Mr. Milton has been with the Collins Submarine Project continuously from the mid 1980s until his recent retirement from ASC in late 2009. He brings an indepth comprehension of the complexity surrounding the design, production and through-life support of an entirely new class submarine – the most complex of all naval vessels. Earlier in his career he was involved in the design and construction of heavy pressure vessels for the chemical, hydrocarbon and mining industries; in Australia, the US and East Asia.
Mr. Milton during his time at the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) held a number of executive appointments including Acting Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Business Development Manager and General Manager – Commercial. His responsibilities ranged from corporate assurance functions at ASC to submarine safety and certification. He was also responsible for the recent development of the new submarine maintenance facility, at Henderson, Western Australia.
Career History
• Acting Chief Executive Officer, ASC
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ASC
• Business Development Manager, ASC
• General Manager – Commercial, ASC
• Tender preparation and contract negotiation, Collins Class submarine project
• Director of commercial contracting, Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CBI) Australia
Awards & Qualifications
• Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia (FIEAust)
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng
Samantha has extensive experience in engineering systems analysis including end-to-end software testing, software development lifecycles, structured Analysis/Structured Design and Object Oriented Design methodologies, real Time and UNIX Operating Systems and system Engineering of Complex Systems. This technical expertise is complemented by project management experience in a defence environment through working as a Ground Support Segments Integration Manager for BAE Systems and a Battlemap Redevelopment Project Manager for ESRI Australia. Other experience includes placements with ADI and Boeing.
Career History
• Ground Support Segments Integration Manager BAE Systems Australia
• Battlemap Redevelopment Project Manager ESRI Australia
• Senior Software Engineer ADI Ltd
• HFDF Integrated Product Team Lead Boeing Australia Ltd
• Systems Integration Engineer CelsiusTech Australia Pty Ltd
• Senior Member of Technical Staff Computer Sciences Corporation, Australia5
• Experimental Scientist, CSIRO, Lucas Heights
Awards & Qualifications
• Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC), DMO
• Naval Combat Systems Course, ADI
• End-to- End Software Testing, IV&V Australia
• Internal (Quality) Auditor Training Course, ETRS
• Bachelor of Science (Applied Physics, Honours), University of Technology, Sydney
• Current – Project Management Institute
• Current – Defence and Industry Course Association
Mr. Barratt brings with him 25 years of experience in the Commonwealth Public Service, mainly in areas relating to resources, energy and international trade. Mr. Barratt has held positions with the Australian Government as the Secretary to the Department of Defence and Secretary to the department of Primary Industries and Energy.
Mr. Barratt has also held the positions of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Trade and Resources, Special Trade Representative for North Asia, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Executive Director of the Business Council of Australia. Mr. Barratt is currently a director of Australia 21, a non-profit company dedicated to stimulating research and development on issues of strategic importance to Australia in the 21st century, and of the UNE Foundation Pty Ltd, a company established to raise funds for the support of scholarships, research and teaching at the University of New England.
Career History
• Secretary, Department of Defence, Australian Government
• Secretary, Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Australian Government
• Executive Director, Business Council of Australia
• Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government
Awards & Qualifications
• 1999 – Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 1999 for service to public administration, public policy development, business and international trade
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Fellow of the Corporate Directors’ Association
• 1997 – Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of New England
• Honours Degree in Physics, University of New England
• Arts Degree (Asian Civilisation and Economics), Australian National University
