Team - Birdon

Our Team

BRENTON ABBOTT

Manager - Dredging

Brenton has worked with Birdon in project and senior management roles since 2002. Building on his previous experience with dredging and marine contracting projects Australia-wide and overseas, he has accumulated over 35 years of technical skills and management experience within the maritime industry. Brenton’s attention to detail, practical knowledge and management style has kept project operations running smoothly and efficiently while keeping clients well up to date with contract progress and projected outcomes. Brenton has managed Birdon’s dredging division since 2013.

LEEANNE ARMSTRONG

Manager - Finance

Leeanne is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with over 30 years experience. She has an extensive operational, financial and management background acquired from the wide range of business and industry clients with whom she has worked. Leeanne has strong business acumen and commercial skills that have seen her negotiate and communicate openly to assist clients in achieving their goals. Leeanne manages the finance division at Birdon.

STEPHEN BUGLER

Supply Chain Manager

Stephen is a multi-disciplined executive with diverse skills built on a foundation of accounting and supply chain management. He has successfully worked in various roles, including, auditing, analysis, supply chain management and project management roles. Stephen is responsible for negotiating and arranging contracts with suppliers for major international Defence programs. His role at Birdon sees him oversee and control all aspects of supply chain management, including purchasing, warehousing and logistics.

JIM COLE

General Manager Environment

Jim is an accomplished Environmental Engineering Executive with over 20 years of experience in decommissioning, recycling, dredging, and environmental remediation sectors. Previously Jim spent 15 years at Ventia where he has most recently been the General Manager of Environmental Services. Jim adds significant technical expertise and experience to Birdon’s proven capability. Jim will lead services and programs across a broad portfolio within Birdon’s global disposal, decommissioning, recycling, dredging and remediation projects.

TIM CURTIS

Capture Manager

Tim has a background in naval architecture, marine engineering, and ocean engineering with extensive experience in marine vessel design, structural analysis, marine fabrication, engineering control systems, shallow and deepwater subsea systems, deepwater salvage systems, heavy lift systems, tow-tank and offshore basin testing, and rapid solutions response engineering. Since joining Birdon in 2014, Tim has led the engineering of military marine vessels as part of the US Army Bridge Erection Boat program, from concept through production, including design, analysis, manufacturability, testing, ILS, and continuous improvement. Tim was the bid and contract lead for the service life extension program for the USCG 47 MLB fleet and the USCG WCC, including the engineering, testing, training, and lifecycle support. Tim relocated his family from the US to Australia in late 2019, transferring valuable experience gained on large US Defense projects to the Australian business unit.

ALAN DOWD

Shipyard Manager - Port Macquarie

Alan Dowd has over 30 years’ experience managing complex marine projects around the world. Beginning his career as a naval architect, Alan has a passion for the marine industry and has worked as a project manager for Austal Ships and as design manager for Riviera Marine International. Prior to joining the Birdon team in 2019, Alan worked in Dubai managing advanced composite component manufacturing across the architectural, marine, rail, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Alan is an experienced leader who builds positive and collaborative relationships within multi-cultural, multilingual, and multi-skilled teams. He works closely with external stakeholders to manage expectations and maximise desired outcomes. Alan oversees all marine operations in NSW as Shipyard Manager – Port Macquarie.

DAVID FOGG

Manager - Engineering & Estimating

David is a Naval Architect, Marine Engineer and Accredited Marine Surveyor with more than 15 years’ experience in technical design and structural engineering at an international level. He has a strong focus on engineering detail and experience with a wide range of construction materials and methods. David has played a key role at Birdon in setting up and bringing together major projects valued at up to $24M. Currently he manages the estimating team for marine bids and engineering for Port Macquarie builds.

PETER FORD

Digital and ICT Strategy Manager

Peter is a senior Digital Strategy and information and communications technology (ICT) Manager with significant experience in large and complex organisations. He specialises in enterprise transformation programs that involve substantial process, structural and technology change impacts including implementation of ISO 27001 and other information security initiatives. He has 20 years of experience in enterprise service management, project management, service improvement and Information Technology change programs. He has developed and implemented technology industry Business Process Improvement (BPI) models, governance frameworks, engagement methods and organisational BPI capability development initiatives. Peter leads Birdon’s Digital and ICT team supporting Birdon’s operating divisions and is responsible for IT, cyber security, communications and digital shipyard technology.

TRENT HANNA

Program Manager

Trent is a maritime project management professional and naval architect with over 20 years of experience in both the commercial and defence sectors, specialising in bid proposals, change management, project controls, contract management and program management.
Trent has held positions ranging from Naval Architect, and Estimating & EVMS, to Configuration, and Program Manager. This experience has seen him involved in the delivery of vessels for clients ranging from 10m catamarans for commercial operators to the Australian Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyers. Trent is a member of the Australian Institute of Project Management (MAIPM), Engineers Australia (MIEA), and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (MRINA).
Trent is currently the Program Manager at Birdon Pty Ltd responsible for Birdon’s Defence projects including the delivering the Young Endeavour-Replacement Vessel for the Royal Australian Navy.

MARTIN MINOGUE

Manager - People & Culture

Martin has a broad range of experience in all facets of strategy, operations, HR/ER, organisational development, WHS practices, recruitment and people leadership. His experience has been gained across a broad range of industries in both the public/government and private sectors. He has focused on talent and succession planning and management, performance improvement (including graduating nearly 1,000 apprentices and implementing best practice Performance Management systems), operational improvement and program/project design and delivery. Martin holds an MBA from the University of Newcastle and leads Birdon’s People & Culture, which includes our HSEQ team and supports all of Birdon’s operations.

MATTHEW MURRAY

HSEQ & Training Manager

Matthew Joined Birdon in 2019 bringing with him over 15 years of experience in HSEQ management roles. Matthew’s experience spans from the practical application of safety policies to the implementation and management of IMS systems. He takes a proactive approach to all areas of HSEQ development to ensure the safety of workers and the quality of work produced. Matthew’s expertise is in occupational health and safety, management system development, ISO accreditation and maintenance, incident prevention, and development of innovative practice and procedures.

TRENT RAINES

Manager - Disposals

Trent joined Birdon in 2015 and has successfully extended Birdon’s capability to include the direct and secure destruction and marketing of our clients’ materials through reliable supplier and trading partner relationships. He has worked with key defence and industrial clients to set up transparent and secure destruction and disposal systems. Trent has worked in the metal recycling and disposals sector since 1997. With a trade background and an extensive understanding of metal composition, Trent’s roles have included metal manufacturing, metal trading, project management and business management.

JOE SMITH

General Manager - Defence

Joe is a results-driven executive with a broad and diverse range of experience gained over 25 years working on complex contracts, programs and projects in the Defence, Resources and Financial Services sectors. He values delivering excellence in customer service and building collaborative working relationships with clients, partners and suppliers based on integrity and successful outcomes. He is well known for developing high performing teams by energising, developing and empowering people whilst fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and innovation. Before joining Birdon as General Manager Defence, Joe was the General Manager of Naval Ship Management (NSM) based in Henderson, WA, where he led all facets of the business to partner with the Commonwealth in the sustainment of the Anzac Class, the LHDs and their associated Landing Craft.

CICELY SYLOW

General Counsel

Cicely is an experienced, commercially-focussed lawyer with extensive private practice and in-house experience. Cicely joined Birdon in 2019 and brings over a decade of experience across a broad industry base, having advised organisations driving industry-wide change in the areas of technology, aviation and ports, resources and energy, retail, financial services and manufacturing. As Birdon’s General Counsel, Cicely is responsible for the provision of legal advice for Birdon’s global operations and across all facets of Birdon’s diverse business. Cicely guides the Birdon team in managing risk while facilitating innovation, creative solutions, and driving business growth. Cicely holds a combined Bachelor of Laws/Arts and a Masters of Laws from the University of Sydney. She is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia.

DIRK VERBOON

Manager – Marine

With a diverse career spanning over 30 years in the Western Australian Maritime Industry, Dirk has a strong ability to lead slipway teams in delivering high standards of ship building and vessel maintenance services, safely, optimally and in accordance with contractual arrangements. Prior to joining Birdon in 2018, Dirk worked as the General Manager MMA Offshore Ltd, one of the largest marine service providers in the Asia Pacific Region. Dirk takes a proactive approach to all safe work practices and works with clients to understand budgets and scheduling requirements. Dirk’s expertise is in his ability to manage large projects simultaneously, paying attention to the big and small details.

SARAH YUEN

General Manager - Maritime

Sarah is a project and production management professional with extensive experience in Defence and commercial ship repair, ship build programs and ISO 55001 Asset Management. Since beginning her career as a Marine engineer in the RAN, Sarah has managed multiple Defence programs, overseeing engineering, configuration management, ILS, asset management and inventory management on projects such as the Huon Class Minehunter and Armidale Class Patrol Boat In-Service Support Programs for Defence. Before joining the Birdon team in 2021, Sarah was the Director Capability Programs at Thales Australia. She was responsible for customer key account management, ISO 55001 Asset Management accreditation and implementation, management of risk and compliance, schedule, budget, team development and commercial management. Sarah works across Defence and commercial projects at Birdon and is responsible for Birdon’s Ship Building, Ship Repair, Shipping & Ferry Operation portfolios across Australia. Birdon’s Port Macquarie and Dampier shipyards form part of the Maritime division under Sarah’s leadership.