Connecting Industry

#51 Andy Evans: Oceanex Energy

In the lead-up to the online Connecting Renewable Energy Conference NSW on October 27, we speak with Andy Evans, the CEO and founder of Oceanex Energy. Oceanex Energy is an Australian company who are progressing the development and construction of up to 5 offshore wind farms including the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm, 20km off the coast of Newcastle, NSW. Andy has 20 years of experience in Australia’s energy sector and has been heavily involved in the development of renewable energy projects since 2006, firstly in onshore wind and bioenergy, before introducing offshore wind to Australia in 2012.

#50 Steven Boxall: Resource Centre of Excellence

Steven Boxall is CEO of the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay, Queensland. Steven has a proven ability to drive business improvement outcomes across both public and private organisations as well as experience working across all levels of government and doing business with a strong focus on communication and engagement. The Resources Centre of Excellence was established to connect the brightest minds in research, technology, education, and METS to shape the resources sector of the future.

#49 Samantha Martin: RX Global – Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME)

Samantha Martin is the Event Director for RX Global, the people behind the WA Mining Conference & Exhibition, and the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition to be held from the 19th to the 21st of July in Mackay. With over 15 years working in event management, Samantha is a passionate and experienced event and marketing professional. For over 25 years the Queensland Mining & Engineering Expo has been at the heart of the mining sector in Mackay and central Queensland showcasing supplier innovation and excellence.

#48 Ramone Close: YINDI Manufacturing

Ramone Close is the Founder and CEO of YINDI Manufacturing, an Indigenous company that manufactures office chairs. Ramone is one of the speakers at the online Australian Wind Construction Safety Conference on May 19 which aims to assist the sector in the planning and implementation of wind projects specifically focused on safety, training, and community engagement. Ramone believes “finding someone a job can change a persons life” and this motto drives him to form great relationships with Indigenous communities to provide long-term employment opportunities.

#47 James Thomas: Australian Wind Construction Collective Founder

James Thomas is the founder of the Australian Wind Construction Collective.  The Australian Wind Construction Collective is a collaboration of industry leaders under the shared objective of building resilience into remote projects and establishing a baseline in safety performance whilst creating a training pathway for regional and indigenous workers. The Australian Wind Construction Collective is hosting the Australian Wind Construction Safety Conference on May 19, a conference designed to promote industry awareness of the performance in wind construction and to support tangible positive outcomes in training and employment.

#46 Matthew Campiutti: Walz Group

Matthew Campiutti is the Chief Executive Officer of Walz Group, one of Queensland’s largest independently owned multi-disciplinary industrial infrastructure groups. Joining the company in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer, Matthew became the CEO in 2018 which now sees him working alongside the company’s shareholders to lead the future strategy of the business with a focus on ensuring Walz continues to be responsive to the ever-changing landscape of the resources sector.

#45 Cameron Smith: Fortescue Future Industries Head of Manufacturing

Cameron Smith is Fortescue Future Industries’ Head of Manufacturing. A former military officer who holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Cameron has over 20 years’ experience working in senior leadership roles in both government and private organisations, predominantly in the Military, Security, Construction and Mining sectors. Cameron has been with Fortescue Future Industries since its inception. More recently, he was given the Manufacturing portfolio where he is responsible to ensure all the major input systems and components for Fortescue Future Industries Projects are available at a viable cost, quality, and quantum, with a broad focus across the value chain and currently involves projects in wind and solar generation, hydrogen production, and major electrification systems.

#44 Arran McGhie: Genex Power

Arran McGhie is the Chief Operations Officer for Genex Power. Arran has over 27 years’ experience in project delivery of large underground mine developments and urban infrastructure projects, in Australia and overseas. Arran was involved in the construction of the Olympic Dam Expansion Project, Newcrest’s Ridgeway Gold Project and has also held key roles on the construction of the Cross City Tunnel and Lane Cove Tunnel projects in Sydney. Since joining Genex in 2015, Arran has played a key role in the development of the companies Kidston Solar and Pumped Storage Hydro Project and the Bouldercombe Battery Project.

#43 Cairan Dillon: Acciona Energia

Cairan Dillon is the Project Manager for Acciona Energia’s Aldoga Solar Farm Project in Gladstone, Central Queensland. Cairan has a proven track record of developing and delivering renewable utility-scale generation projects in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Acciona Energia is the biggest energy operator in the world that works exclusively with renewable energies. As project manager for the Acciona Energia’s Aldoga Solar Farm, Cairan manages all aspects of the development, including permitting, land contracts, grid connection, and commercial opportunities relating to the project.

#42 Aaron Schultz: Outback Mind

Aaron Schultz is the Director of Outback Mind. Outback Mind offers wellbeing solutions to men predominately working in the resource and construction sector to help them manage anxiety and stay healthy in body, mind and spirit including practical advice and self-management solutions that promote pathways to better mental health. Aaron’s vision is to empower those working in the resource and construction sector to take a proactive approach to wellbeing and become free of physical and mental illness by building healthy lifestyle behaviours that help them to become self aware, live more consciously and thrive.