AUSTRALIA:
John Johnson
Vice President - Commercial &
Administration
John Johnson is an experienced finance executive who joined Quickstep as Chief Financial Officer in 2009. Mr Johnson has held senior positions with several high-profile aerospace companies including Commercial Manager of Finance (Divisional CFO) Hawker de Havilland for The Boeing Company; Financial Controller (Divisional CFO) ASTA Components for Aerospace Technologies of Australia Ltd; and he assisted as Manager for the Defence Integrated Distribution System Project Team for BAE Systems. He has also recently held the positions of Executive General Manager Finance & Legal and Executive General Manager Corporate Service for the Port of Melbourne Corporation.
Paul Robertson
Vice President - Finance
Paul Robertson is an experienced finance professional with a background in statutory reporting, business analysis and the management of businesses evolving through significant change. Mr Robertson has held senior positions in listed and private companies spanning industries including manufacturing, importing and distribution, property development and retail. His role within Quickstep is to ensure the business operates within the appropriate corporate governance standards, providing robust reporting and oversee the funding structure of the group. His background in business performance metrics and ERP management ensures the executive team has the data it requires to make informed decisions.
Sebastien Godbille
Vice President - Quickstep Systems
Sebastien Godbille is a highly experienced aerospace executive, who joined Quickstep in July 2010 following three years as CEO of Daher Australian Aerospace, a joint venture between French company Daher (a major Tier 1 supplier of composite parts in France) and Australian Aerospace (a subsidiary of Eurocopter, a member company of EADS, Europe's largest aerospace organisation). He has significant expertise in proposing engineering and manufacturing solutions to clients together with an intimate knowledge of advanced composite design and manufacturing processes. His role with Quickstep is to promote the development and implementation of Quickstep Plants and Processes within the manufacturing lines of industrial customers involved in advanced composites parts manufacturing.
Michael Schramko
Vice President - Operations Quickstep
Michael has a diverse background that includes Airbus in the UK and Hawker De Havilland and Boeing Aerostructures in the US and Australia. He has experience in operations, production, product development, engineering and program management. Most recently Michael has been the Operations Manager for the Fisherman’s Bend site of Boeing Australia.
Tracy Swinley
Vice President -
Human Resources
Tracy Swinley is an experienced Human Resources professional who has held a number of senior and executive roles in both listed and private companies, as well as the public sector. Her experience encompasses industries such as manufacturing, utilities, finance, health and education. She has also developed a successful consultancy business across all facets of human resources. With tertiary qualifications in law, industrial relations, political science and social work, she brings significant expertise to the company. Her role within the business is to lead the development and implementation of the 'people strategies' to ensure that these directly support the commercial objectives of the company.
Bob Pillay
Joint Strike Fighter Project Manager
Bob Pillay is responsible for overseeing Quickstep's manufacturing for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter program. He has significant experience in aerospace production, including over four years as Production Manager - Aerospace for TenCate Advanced Composites in the United States.
Wendy Smith
C-130 Project Manager
Wendy Smith, with a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of Texas Arlington and an MBA from Texas Christian University joined the Quickstep team in October 2012 as the C-130 Project Manager. With over 10 years experience at Lockheed Martin US in design, manufacturing, supplier integration and international production, she is a valuable addition to our senior management team.
AMERICA:
Dale Brosius
President – Quickstep Composites LLC
Dale Brosius is responsible for the commercial development of the Company's technology in the Americas. He has extensive practical experience in the composites field, having led composites-oriented businesses in the US and Europe, with a strong emphasis on materials. Mr Brosius spent eight years with Dow Chemical in manufacturing and commercial development roles, with a focus on automotive composites. He then spent twelve years in various commercial and general management roles at Fiberite and Cytec Fiberite, gaining considerable exposure to advanced composites processes and applications in aerospace, sporting goods, and industrial markets.
Benjamin Luedtke
Technical Manager – Quickstep Composites
LLC
Benjamin Luedtke is based at Quickstep's North American subsidiary, Quickstep Composites LLC, where he manages the day-to-day operations of the Quickstep facility, including specific OEM and Tier One projects. Ben was recruited from Applied Materials Inc, and has over 12 years' experience in the processing of high technology materials at sites in the US and Asia.
EUROPE:
Dr Jens Schlimbach
Vice President - Quickstep GmbH & Global Head
of Research & Development
Dr Schlimbach has more than 10 years' experience in advanced composite manufacturing technologies, including design and development of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures as an alternative to steel and aluminium. He spent 5 years at the “Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe” (Institute for Composite Materials) leading a variety of national and international composite R&D projects for the aerospace, automotive and other industries. He has a strong involvement and expertise in the scientific field of composites as an author, lecturer and consultant. He has provided consultancy services to a number of composite companies, including Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter supplier. He joined Quickstep in February 2007.
Dr Amol Ogale
Process & Technologies, Quickstep
GmbH
Dr Ogale has more than 10 years' experience in dry fibre based composite manufacturing technologies including pre-forming, liquid composite moulding and development of CFRP components. After his degree in textile engineering he worked 5 years at the “Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe” (Institute for Composite Materials) in the field of advanced preforming and liquid composite moulding. Since 2007, he has been a consultant to the composite industry, including Eurocopter, the world’s largest helicopter supplier. He joined Quickstep in February 2007.
Ari Vihersaari
Vice President of Global Business
Development
Ari Vihersaari has spent most of this career in the aerospace and defense sectors, and in companies developing, designing and manufacturing advanced, lightweight structures. His experience includes management of high technology SME's, managing spin-off and engineering programs and leading sales and business development teams. He has a wealth of experience and contacts worldwide to promote the Quickstep Process as well as its manufacturing capability.