Appendix 4


Appendix 4

Independent Members of the Defence Gate Review Board – Background and Experience

Independent Members of the Defence Gate Review Board appeared at the 13 June 2012 public hearing and, as requested by the Chair, outlined their background and experience

Mr Owen John Hughes

  • 42 years experience in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), including experience in aviation, surface ships and submarines.
  • 10 years in RAN as project director for the Collins class submarine program, including experience in project management.
  • Since retiring from RAN, has been a consultant to Defence and defence industry.

Mr John Robert Ross Gallacher

  • Over 40 years experience in the private sector, about 30 years in oil and gas construction with major projects in Australia and other countries.
  • Over 10 years experience in shipbuilding in Australia, including in the commercial sector and for Defence.
  • About 10 years of connection with Defence and their procurement and interface with the private sector.
  • Currently a consultant and an external board member.

Dr Ralph Neumann

  • Worked for Defence for 30 years, starting work as a scientist.
  • Member of FDA for about 10 years.
  • Majority of experience is in capability development, but has spent over 10 years on assurance boards with Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and its predecessors.
  • Since retiring, has spent five years as a consultant to government agencies.

Mr Paul Conrad Johnson

  • 22 years in the RAN as an aeronautical engineer.
  • 26 years with large industry, starting with General Electric Aerospace (which became Lockheed Martin).
  • Other experience includes regional responsibilities, starting companies, downsizing companies, and overseen very substantial developmental programs.
  • Last 10 years, has worked for Lockheed Martin, growing the local presence for that organisation.
  • Notes that he 'Joined the gate reviews very recently but with a good deal of 'going up dry gullies', as the Americans call them, and learning what not to do in many areas of running a business.'

Mr Ian Bryan Irving

  • 24 years working in defence industry in Australia.
  • Has worked in a number of the major international primes, and has worked across many of Australia's major defence acquisition programs over that period of time in the maritime, aerospace and land domains, working closely with the DMO and the services.
  • Currently running own consultancy.

Dr Ian Sidney Williams

  • Over 30 years with Defence, starting as a scientist.
  • Headed FDA Division for a number of years.
  • Was briefly the Chief Finance Officer of Defence, and some years later Chief Finance Officer of DMO.
  • About four years running Land Systems Division of DMO.
  • Was responsible for leading the implementation of the Kinnaird reforms of DMO.
  • Was inspector general responsible for investigations and audits.
  • Retired from Defence over a year ago and is currently on Defence gate boards.

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