B. Bus (Accounting), GAICD, FCPA, CTA

Skills and experience

Paul Cooper is Chairman of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Ltd (AMGC) and, Owner and Executive Chair of Rinstrum Pty Ltd. Paul was appointed to the AMGC Board in 2015 and is tasked with overseeing the implementation of AMGC’s strategy and its alignment with the overall Federal Government’s Growth Centre Initiative.

Paul has over 25 years’ manufacturing industry experience as owner and Executive Chair of Rinstrum, an industrial electronics manufacturing company. Rinstrum is based in Brisbane and actively exports to global markets with subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, India and Sri Lanka.

Other directorships and offices

• Director of Vadain International Pty Ltd
• Director of Horizon Two Capital Partners Pty Ltd

Not-for-profit directorships

• Chair of Audit and Risk Management Committee for Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet

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Paul Cooper Full Biography

LLB (Law and Corporate Finance), MBA (International Business), GAICD

Skills and experience

Richard has over 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles in manufacturing, finance, software and other sectors. He is currently Chairman of The Executive Connection, a networking and mentorship initiative for leaders with a membership of more than 20,000 in 20 countries, and until recently was Managing Director of private equity firm Redwood North.

Richard Palmer Full Biography

PhD (Econ), BA (Business), FAICD / Non-independent

Skills and Experience

Jens has been Managing Director of AMGC since 2016. He brings extensive experience from overseeing large manufacturing operations in Australia and Europe. Jens served as Managing Director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific and Airbus Helicopters. Before his eight-year appointment to Australia, Jens spent six years in Germany with the former European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), today known as Airbus Group. He was Head of the CEO’s office in Germany, and before that in charge of Soldier and Parafoil Systems within the Defence Division. Previously, Jens spent two years in Athens where he established and managed the Eurofighter Office of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, one of the three founding partner companies of EADS. He began his career with Daimler-Benz AG in January 1996.

Other directorships and offices

• Senior Member of the Executive Committee for Industry 4.0 Advanced Manufacturing Forum
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

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Dr Jens Goennemann Full Biography

BA (Hons I)

Experience

Kelly commenced at AMGC in March 2016. In her role as Director, Corporate Affairs, Kelly is responsible for the organisation’s reputation and engagement strategy within the manufacturing industry and the broader business landscape. She oversees all communications and marketing activities, membership experience, and day-to-day operations of AMGC.

In addition, Kelly works closely with colleagues across the Australian Government’s six Industry Growth Centre Initiative, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and industry stakeholders.

Kelly is an accomplished communications professional with global experience in the technology industry. Her background features almost twenty years of international experience at Microsoft and Symantec Corporations. This includes 12 years at Microsoft in North America and EMEA overseeing marketing, communications and strategic programs. Plus, five years with Symantec managing IP protection, brand, and building reputational trust across EMEA.

AFAIOP, Graduate Diploma of Business Management

Experience

Charmaine joined the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre in September 2021 as Director, Northern Territory (NT). Before this, Charmaine was in charge of Business Development and Client Services, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Operations Manager for the Industry Capability (ICN) Network NT, where she worked with thousands of businesses and led strategic activities including capability mapping and gap analysis for the Territory.

Charmaine joined AMGC in a new role, created as part of a 2020 AMGC-NT Government agreement to invest $8.75 million over five years in fast-tracking innovation among manufacturers. The effort continues a long involvement in the Territory’s industrial community for Charmaine, whose resume includes co-founding Top End Steel Supplies and over a decade as Director at R J Welding & Fabrication Solutions. Charmaine also holds a range of qualifications across Human Resources, Management and Training disciplines.

Experience

Michael commenced as State Director, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in May 2016, and is based near Melbourne. Michael joined AMGC having led Sutton Tools for almost two decades as CEO. Under his leadership, Sutton Tools employed 350 workers across three locations in Victoria. In addition, he managed manufacturing facilities and operational outlets in New Zealand, Singapore and Europe. Michael launched successful joint ventures in India and the Netherlands and boosted the company’s revenue through extending its sales reach in international markets including the USA and China.

In addition, Michael champions skill development and collaboration across the VET and Tertiary education sectors, and is active in training packages development.

Other directorships and offices

• Board member of Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC)
• Member of two Australian Government Industry Reference Committees (IRCs)
• Chair of the William Ruthven School Council

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Michael Grogan Full Biography 

CPA, GAICD, Dip. (Corporate Management)

Experience

Mark joined the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre in 2017 as State Director, Queensland. Mark’s role is to support Queensland manufacturers to transform their business to become more globally competitive. Under Mark’s leadership, manufacturers are encouraged to automate their manufacturing processes and enter global supply chains. Previously, Mark worked as a Business Advisor as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme. He has worked with hundreds of firms covering diverse industries, such as, manufacturing, resources, agriculture, medical and transport. He helped these firms successfully focus on their sales model including distribution channels and new business development. Mark has a commercial background as a CEO with companies in the process control and motion control industries. He is now particularly interested in the advantages of robotics and 3D printing technology for Australian manufacturers.

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Mark Peters Full Biography

Experience

Tyson began as Manager, PR and Communications in December 2019. He has held senior communications roles for technology and other businesses over the past 15 years, with most of his career spent in the automotive industry, including at MSR Group, Lexus Australia, and Peugeot Citroen Australia. After beginning university by studying two years of geomatic engineering, he shifted to public relations. Tyson’s background combining engineering, automotive and telecommunications gives him an appreciation of the technical as well as the importance of conveying this in a compelling and accessible way.

BA, PgDip

Experience

Tim commenced as Director, Membership and Operations in June 2016. Tim’s career has focussed on international business develop for SMEs. Prior to joining AMGC, he held roles with the New Zealand government’s international business develop agency in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, including a period as Acting Trade Commissioner in Australia. Tim’s international experience includes developing marketing campaigns for Nictor Group, which became Scotland’s fastest growing company in 2005.

Experience

Ellen commenced as Communications and Membership Associate in June 2017. She is an experienced client service professional having worked with a large multinational organisation consisting of over 1000 global members. Ellen is responsible for the day to day membership experience and communications activities. Prior to joining AMGC, Ellen was Assistant Operations Manager at The Executive Centre, one of a variety of roles she held at the organisation. This followed positions as Client Service Leader and Client Service Associate.

BSc, MPH

Experience

Katie commenced as Research Director in November 2016. Katie’s background is as a researcher focussing on population perception and behaviour change. Prior to joining AMGC, she was Assistant Director of Health Promotion and Wellness and Health Promotion Specialist at the University of Chicago. These roles have featured the implementation of evidence-based behaviour change strategies and research projects.

Bachelor of Communications, Digital and Social Media

Experience

Emilia began as Communications Coordinator in February 2020. Her background is in client-facing roles, most recently as part of the customer service team at BlueFit. Emilia graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, majoring in digital and social media. During her degree she interned at refugee, asylum-seeker and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) advocacy group Settlement Services International. Emilia is fascinated by the role of advanced manufacturing in helping deliver sustainable outcomes and a more just world.