Board of Directors
The National Board holds the reins of overall governance, ensuring strategic alignment and providing robust support to the CEO and the WIOA team, to efficiently steer WIOA forward.
Mat Greskie
Chair of the Board
Matthew (Mat) Greskie is an energetic Director with extensive executive and Board experience in diverse industries including disability service provision, membership organisations, local government, infrastructure management and waste management.
Mark Samblebe
Deputy Chair
As a company Director of MBS Water, I am an experienced scientist with vast experience in operations management in water, wastewater and solid organic waste treatment industries. I have 20 years’ experience in process operations, optimisation and management in both public and private sectors. I have a sound understanding of modern and traditional water and wastewater treatment processes.
Sally Shepherd
Board Director
Experienced Product Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities industry. Skilled in Water Treatment, Sales, Environmental Awareness and Biotechnology. Strong business development professional with a Graduate Diploma of Aquaculture from Deakin University and Bachelor of Science (Marine Science)from Sydney University as well as an Advanced Certificate in Aquaculture with Distinction. Currently a Board Director of WIOA.
Chris Young
Board Director
Chris has 35 years of experience in water operations, organisational strategy, business transformation, asset management, customer service, and governance. He has successfully led large teams, including over 1,600 personnel, in delivering high-profile water services in regulated utilities in both the UK and Australia. As the Manager of Thames Water’s North London water & wastewater network, Chris managed the water services for over 6 million people. Currently the General Manager of Operations & Maintenance at SA Water, Chris’ previous roles include leadership oversight of significant projects such as the commissioning and operation of some of Australia’s large-scale desalination plants and overseeing the commissioning of SE QLD ‘Water-Grid’ pipeline project.
Rachael Miller
Board Director
An accountable, prudent, collaborative and results-driven senior leader in the Australian Water Industry who has created, influenced and led significant state and national improvements across policy, regulation, research, assets and operational excellence to improve customer trust and experience.
Robert Scott
Board Director
Robert is a capable infrastructure executive with over 25 years of experience in NSW Local Government Water Utilities. His experience covers all aspects of civil infrastructure, including transport, stormwater, recreation, waste, water, and commercial sectors. He brings an outcome-focused problem-solving approach, generating realistic and practical solutions. He is a professional civil engineer with postgraduate qualifications in environmental engineering management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has worked in communities across regional and metropolitan NSW, with strengths in community engagement, strategy, leadership and performance reporting. He has driven significant organisational change and promoted transparency, responsibility and accountability. He is passionate about the water industry and strongly supports recognition for the critical role water operators play in healthy communities. He continues to lead and contribute to the industry.
Our Team
Dean Barnett
CEO
Dean has over 30 years of water industry experience, that consists of grass roots operations to management and executive roles. He has also led the Intelligent Water Networks Program on behalf of the Victorian and Tasmanian water industry, and now at WIOA nationally. Dean is also currently on the Board of the Institute of Water Administration (IWA) Victoria. He’s passion is for the operations sector of the water industry, innovation and transformation.
Glenn Alford
Manager of Membership, Sponsor & Exhibitor Support
Jean Young
Manager of Events and Operations
Jean is a seasoned events and operations professional with several years of experience organising workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and networking events. Jean has extensive experience working across multiple industries and her diverse background includes producing women’s leadership conferences, facilitating workshops and conferences for a healthcare business consulting agency and involvement in the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals. Renowned for her process-driven approach, Jean brings a structured yet holistic perspective to every project, ensuring flawlessly executed and highly impactful events.
Ann Austin
Business Administration Coordinator
Ann is a dedicated professional at the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA), who has been actively involved in various aspects of the organisation, contributing significantly to its operations for over 12 years. Ann's role includes managing financial processes, payroll, supporting our events program, and the digital transformation of our administrative functions. Ann is known for her professionalism, can do attitude, friendly mannerism, attention to detail, and her ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Kate Russell
Marketing and Local Events Lead
With deep roots in the exhibition industry and a knack for seamless event execution, Kate combines registration know-how, logistics expertise and end-to-end marketing to create impactful event campaigns and membership strategies. Building on a strong foundation of association experience, Kate drives member value while advocating for the Water Industry Operations sector. Known for a sharp eye for detail and a sense of humour, Kate transforms challenges into opportunities, delivering events that connect, inspire, and run like clockwork (or at least a well-oiled coffee machine).
Kim Gales
Administration and Event Support
Kim is a versatile professional with extensive experience as an Executive Assistant, known for providing exceptional support to senior leaders in dynamic, fast-paced environments. She excels at managing priorities, safeguarding confidentiality, and fostering collaboration across teams to ensure seamless operations. A quick learner with a passion for efficiency, Kim adapts easily to new tools and technologies, always looking for ways to improve processes. Her strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills make her equally effective in achieving big-picture objectives and managing day-to-day tasks. With a proactive mindset and a focus on delivering results, Kim brings reliability, professionalism, and a positive attitude to every challenge she tackles.
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee serves a pivotal role in identifying and selecting candidates for leadership positions within the organisation including the State Advisory Committees, the National Committee and the Board. Comprising WIOA life members with diverse expertise and perspectives, the committee operates independently from the WIOA Board to ensure impartiality.
Members
Ron Bergmeier
Chair
Jill Busch
Committee Member
John Harris
Committee Member
Mark Samblebe
Committee Member
National Advisory Committee
The National Advisory Committee will assist WIOA to undertake a range of functions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Provide industry knowledge and expertise
- Represent WIOA on external committees
- Technical resource development
- Editorial support i.e., Practical Guides
- Assist WIOA engagement with other industries i.e., mining, hospitality,
- Support and develop a process for Disaster Recovery / Emergency Response.
- Heidi Josipovic
- Elise O’Keeffe
- David Sheehan
- Ryan McGowan
- Steve Westgate
- George Bellizia
- Andries Erasmus
- Amira Haruwarta
- Dean Barnett
- Emma Thompson
- Al Butler
- James Thonder
- Jill Busch
State Advisory Committee
State Advisory Committee members consist of dedicated industry volunteers, each boasting a commendable history as seasoned professionals and leaders in their respective fields within the Water Operations Sector.
The WIOA State Advisory Committees play a crucial role in enabling members to actively shape the direction of WIOA within their state and foster deeper engagement with their association.
The WIOA Advisory Committees assist to undertake a range of functions such as:
- Identifying the types, range and scope of services and events considered appropriate for water industry operational staff
- Assisting with the organisation, promotion and staging of events
- Providing state based information for inclusion in WIOA publications
- Encourage participation and knowledge sharing with water industry related personnel employed in the private sector
- Source papers, posters articles and presentations that should be shared with the industry at WIOA events
Members
Committee Chairpersons Alan Butler Lothar Augustat
Alan Butler from Walcha Shire Council has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA NSW Advisory Committee. The WIOA New South Wales Advisory Committee includes:
- Alan Butler, Walcha Shire Council – Chairperson
- Lothar Augustat, Local Government– Deputy Chair
- Matthew Brill, Fursdon Water Services
- Anthony Backhouse, TAFE NSW
- Abdul Nasir, Kennards Hire
- Cooper Henderson, Port Macquarie Hastings Council
- Ben Gateby, Midcoast Council
- Steve Simmons, Detection Services Pty Ltd
- Nathan Dick, Beca Hunter H2O
- Andrew Whitehouse, Hydroflow Distributors
- Jamie Griffin, Southern Commercial Divers
- Aaron Goth, Xylem
- Simon Naef, Reece Ltd
- Renier Van Zyl, Riverina Water County Council
- Rod Morton, IXOM
George Bellizia from Veolia Water has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Queensland Advisory Committee.
The WIOA Queensland Committee includes:
- George Bellizia, Veolia Water – Chairperson
- Matthew McNamara, Seqwater – Deputy Chair
- Natasha Glaskin, Cairns Regional Council
- Rachael Vennix, Seqwater
- Sam Magill, Water Infrastructure Services
- John Granzien, IGA
- Joshua Van Hout, Bundaberg Regional Council
- Shane Bandiera, Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Tahir Khan, Isaac Regional Council
- Timothy Bott, Pensar Water
- Phil Bolger, Control Components North
- Adam Simpson, Metasphere/Grundfos
- Kathryn Turner, Urban Utilities
- Ashley Reidy, Rockhampton Regional Council
- Mark Wiltshire, Fraser Coast Regional Council
Ryan McGowan has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Victorian Advisory Committee.
The Victorian Advisory Committee includes:
- Ryan McGowan, Goulburn Valley Water– Chairperson
- Anthony Evans, Wannon Water
- Kendall Niblett, Lower Murray Water
- Jon Reed, Reed Plumbing & Drainage Solutions Pipecore
- Andrew Volk, Greater Western Water
- Kathy Northcott, Veolia ANZ
- Daniel Wooley, Goulburn Valley Water
- Justin Scott, South East Water
- Terry Whittle, Downer Group
- Douglas Darville, Grundfos Aus P/L
- Madeleine Borg, Gippsland Water
- Mick Mahoney, Wannon Water
James Thonder from SA Water has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA South Australian Advisory Committee.
The South Australian Advisory Committee includes:
- James Thonder, SA Water – Chairperson’
- Nick Swain, SA Water – Deputy Chair
- Emily Lohmann, Department for Energy & Mining
- Adrian Cavallaro, Service Stream
- Richard Scott, TAFE SA
- Dan Squire, SA Water
- Ardean Oldland, SA Water
The WIOA Tasmanian Advisory Committee includes:
- Stephen Westgate, TasWater
- Callum Tate, TasWater
- Peter Sowter, TasWater
- Darren Lord, Xylem
- David Hughes, Alpha Water & Electronics
Emma Thompson has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Western Australia Advisory Committee.
The Western Australia Advisory Committee includes:
- Emma Thompson, TRILITY – Chairperson
- Luke Watkins, Dredging Solutions – Deputy Chair
- Brett Hare, Hydroflow Distributors
- Heath Bennett, Rio Tinto
- Alf Read, Water Corporation
- Paul Barker, Water Corporation
- David Hughes-Owen, Busselton Water
- Justin Burley, Water Corporation
- Caleb Maguire, AqWest – Bunbury
Diversity & Inclusion Group
WIOA has established a group of interested Members who can assist with advising and assisting WIOA to improve our Diversity & Inclusion culture, to help embrace diversity, celebrate differences and encourage participation to best meet our corporate goals and meet our organisational objectives.
We embrace diversity and inclusion and consider it is integral to our culture, our values and the way we do business.
All WIOA members should be able to feel respected and supported and can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of gender, age, cultural norms, values, beliefs, and linked expectations.
- Scott Johnson – Greater Western Water (Chair)
- Jill Busch – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- Brooke Fiemann – TasWater
- Peter Houston – South Gippsland Water
- Clara Laydon – Hunter Water
- Ashleigh Meadows – Tweed Shire Council
- Heidi Josipovic – Albury City Council
- Dean Barnett – WIOA
- Kedar Gharpure – SNG Constructions Pty Ltd
- Steven Atkinson – Central Highlands Regional Council
- Sean Cahill – Yokogawa
- Melissa Carroll – Veolia
- Michelle Bourke – Aquatec
- Richard Scott – Tafe SA
- Jane Finlay – Yarra Valley Water