Accelerate Manufacturing Conference 2024

Robyn Haig

Director of Regional Development

Regional Development Australia Darling Downs and Southwest (RDA DDSW)

Panel Moderator | Robyn is the Director of Regional Development for Regional Development Australia Darling Downs and Southwest. Previously Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry Manager, she remains Chamber Vice-President. Robyn was awarded Regional Citizen of the Year honours at the Western Downs Australia Day Awards in 2022 for her work with the local community.

In the past Robyn has held roles in CSG Drilling and Civil Construction in the Surat Basin, and prior to that with Queensland Government Departments of Natural Resources and Primary Industries, Regional Natural Resource Management, Landcare and Local Government -Tourism & Community Development.

Parth Bommakanti  

Executive Director
Business Transformation Specialist

Vative

Panellist | Parth is a highly respected Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and NLP Master Practitioner with over 25 years of leadership training and coaching, executive mentoring along with business process transformation and corporate training experience.

With previous roles in leading large teams at Ford Motor Company across various departments in quality, customer satisfaction and manufacturing, Parth then spent 3 years leading an Australian subsidiary of a large Japanese multinational (Sumitomo Ltd) as a General Manager responsible for engineering, business systems and safety before joining Vative as a lead Facilitator and Consultant.

Roger Crothers  

CI Deployment Specialist | Owner

Morph Business Institute

Roger combines a deep understanding of CI methodologies with a wealth of practical leadership experience. His ability to bridge theory and real-world implementation sets him apart. As the owner of Morph Business Institute, Roger is dedicated to helping organizations thrive in the era of Industry 4.0.

Roger’s impact extends far beyond these names, as he continues to empower companies to embrace change, optimize processes, and achieve sustainable growth.

Troy Law  

General Manager

Simplicity Australia 

Troy's steadfast commitment to his family and faith enriches his leadership style, guiding Simplicity through life's intricate challenges with resilience. His strategic approach to business, characterized by a steadfast, conservative outlook, ensures the sustained success of Simplicity well into the future.

Lance MacManus

Project Manager – Growth

TSBE

Amy Schutt

Chief Executive Officer

Midwest Fabrication

Panellist | Amy Schutt is the CEO of Midwest Fabrication, a national agricultural equipment manufacturing company located in Dalby, Qld Australia. 26 years of dedication, determination and passion for the family business has seen Amy drive the company to new heights and winning Australian Small Business Champion Awards in 2024.

Amy grew up on a farm in rural Queensland, and now with four children of her own, continues to share a love and passion for the Australian agricultural industry, farming families and local communities.

Her success spans outside her day-to-day role as CEO; Amy is the founder of Triple A Bulk Haulage, a freight business she operates with her husband. She was won many awards including Young Business Owner of the year. She has multiple investment properties and purchased her first rural property in her early 30’s.

Amy donates her time & money to many charitable initiatives, with multiple sponsor children living in poverty, feeding the homeless and raising funds for cancer prevention. Amy’s focus in not just about making a donation, but making a real difference to others.

Focused on personal & business development she wants to be the best leader she can be. Amy has a highly respected business acumen and an admirable drive to see rural Australians succeed. As she would say……. Just a girl with big dreams.

Ken Dachi

Multicultural Affairs Advisor

Panellist | Ken Dachi is the Multicultural Affairs Advisor at Leeton Shire Council. Presently, he is developing a concept to address persistent skill shortages using a novel approach, tailored for rural/regional settings. Relatedly, he has structured relationships to advance settlement outcomes through research in partnership with universities, championed sector collaboration, and pronounced the role of advocacy.

Most recently, he coordinated community grant financing support, and identified avenues for First Nations engagement, as key contributors to fostering community cohesion. Before joining Leeton Shire Council, Ken was based in the UK, from where he worked and travelled to over 40 countries undertaking various International Development projects. Ken will share perspectives on “Creating Places of Welcome”.

Louise McMahon

General Manager

MFE

Panellist | Having commenced her career in finance and accounting, Louise worked almost exclusively in the mining industry for 10 years before she and husband Greg, embarked on the journey to become “small business owners”. They commenced their fabrication business in 2011 which soon grew to include maintenance and project management.

While the business is very diverse these days with approximately 65 employees, the manufacturing division continues to build with strong principles based around the lean manufacturing model. As the General Manager of this growing business, which now has workshops located in Toowoomba, Dalby and Chinchilla, Louise is well versed in the challenges of the current work environment, the importance of planning for the future and the need to have a value add proposition not only to clients, but employees and key stakeholders alike.

Jody Dare

Principal Economic Development Officer

Department of State Development and Infrastructure

Panel Moderator | Jody Dare brings over three decades of diverse industry experience to the manufacturing forum. Starting in the Australian Wool Industry, she mastered wool handling and production, setting a strong career foundation. Her continuous pursuit of knowledge led her to gain qualifications in Project Management, Financial Management, and Workplace Behaviour, highlighting her dedication to growth.

In government agencies and local councils, Jody played vital roles in disaster relief and recovery efforts, notably managing submissions for Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) during major flooding events from 2010 to 2016. Her expertise in financial management and project coordination was further evident during her tenure as a Program Support Coordinator with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Currently serving as a Principal Economic Development Officer with the Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Jody is committed to driving economic growth and sustainability in regional communities. She devises strategies, facilitates funding programs, and promotes industry opportunities in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Jody takes pride in her membership with professional bodies like the Australian Wool Classers Association and holds the esteemed designation of Australian Certified Economic Developer [ACEcD]. Her career journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in her field and community.

Michael Matthewson

General Manager - Projects & Innovation

Mort & Co

Panellist | Leveraging over 30 years’ experience in Maintenance Management, Process Engineering and Project Management, Michael joined Mort & Co in 2021 as General Manager, Projects & Innovation.

Originally from family beef grazing operations in the NSW Northern Tablelands, Michael completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland in 1992 before working throughout Australia in operational support and engineering management roles in the red meat processing industry.

In 2005, Michael shifted focus to the Consulting, Engineering and Construction industry delivering large scale food and beverage facilities throughout Australia and Southeast Asia. During this time, Michael worked with Australia’s largest multinational and privately owned red meat processing and feedlotting organisation to deliver a wide range of projects that provided operational efficiency, increased capacity, develop new processes and adopt new technologies.

Michael Joined Mort & Co in a newly created position to lead the development of businesses sites, assets processes and infrastructure across feedlots, and manufacturing plants to support the long-term sustainable growth of the organisation.

Natalie Gruenfeld

AusIndustry’s Business Outreach network of Regional Managers are connected to regions, communities and industries.

For over 25 years AusIndustry has been a valuable hub, nurturing partnerships and networks, providing connections, and helping industry navigate the local, state and federal government support to get the best for each business.

Natalie is a Darling Downs local, who has worked across both the private and public sectors and is passionate about the growth of regional industries and the Darling Downs South West community.

Rob Fraser

Director

 Fraser Valuers

Under the banner of Equipoised Group, four independent businesses are working together to deliver one outcome. Mazars, Agile Energy, Earthtrade and Fraser Valuers, provide trusted, and professional advice on opportunities, risks, challenges, and strategies for organisations’ navigating their shift to a low carbon future.

Rob has unbound enthusiasm for valuing and comprehends the ongoing pressure and changes occurring within the industry. The Fraser Valuers Team has been a forerunner in assessing the impact of Carbon Projects and Biodiversity agreements, offering both private and banking clients with specialised valuation services.

Paul Cooper

Owner & Executive Chair

Rinstrum Pty Ltd

Rebecca Andrews

Chief Executive Officer

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ)

Before joining MSQ, Rebecca held pivotal leadership roles, including her position as the Queensland State Head of the Australian Industry Group and Deputy Director-General of Small Business in the Department of Employment, Small Business, and Training. She has also contributed her insights and expertise to various boards and advisory groups, including the esteemed Ministerial Manufacturing Council.

Rebecca’s leadership comes at a crucial juncture as MSQ navigate the future of manufacturing in Queensland. The Queensland Government recognises her role in shaping the skills and capabilities necessary for the industry’s evolution. Her extensive knowledge and passion will undoubtedly drive our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Jules McMurtrie

Chief Optimist

Climate Action Schools

Panellist | Jules McMurtrie is the Chief Optimist at Climate Action Schools.  A purpose driven, social value creator, Jules has worked in youth skilling and training for over 10 years managing Gateway to Industry Schools Programs (GISP) for Food, Wine, Tourism, Advanced Manufacturing, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy.

Jules has unlocked the value of what genuine partnerships look like and has provided industry value down to Year 1 classrooms right here in Western Downs and across Queensland.  Jules gets excited about disruption and welcomes Industry 5.0 (5IR) Fifth Industrial revolution.

Louise McMahon

General Manager

MFE

Panellist | Having commenced her career in finance and accounting, Louise worked almost exclusively in the mining industry for 10 years before she and husband Greg, embarked on the journey to become “small business owners”. They commenced their fabrication business in 2011 which soon grew to include maintenance and project management.

While the business is very diverse these days with approximately 65 employees, the manufacturing division continues to build with strong principles based around the lean manufacturing model. As the General Manager of this growing business, which now has workshops located in Toowoomba, Dalby and Chinchilla, Louise is well versed in the challenges of the current work environment, the importance of planning for the future and the need to have a value add proposition not only to clients, but employees and key stakeholders alike.