Dean Draper

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MBA, BBUS

Chief Executive Officer since 21 November 2022, Dean is an experienced executive having held senior roles in the industrial sector both in Australia and overseas. Most recently, Dean held the roles of Managing Director and CEO of Ixom (former Orica Chemicals business), based in Melbourne. Prior to leading the Ixom business, Dean spent over 17 years in several senior executive positions at BASF, a large multi-national chemicals company. For a significant portion of his time with BASF, Dean served as Managing Director of BASF’s operations across the ASEAN region for around 4 years.

Dean holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Monash Mt Eliza Business school, a Bachelor of Business from Monash University in Melbourne, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD Business School, France.

Garth Campbell-Cowan

Chief Financial Officer, BCom, FCA

Garth is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with over 30 years’ experience heading up Finance functions with both a strategic and commercial focus.  Garth started his career with Arthur Anderson, before moving into various finance roles in the Banking and Finance, Telecommunications, and Mining industries.

Garth holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ.  Garth has also completed a Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment with the Securities Institute of Australia.

Meredith Rhimes

Senior Legal Counsel and Company Secretary, BA, LLB, FGIA

Meredith is a lawyer with over 14 years’ experience, including working in private practice and in-house for a multinational corporation. Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University (Canada) and a Bachelor of Laws from Western University (Canada) and has practiced law in Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Ron Edwards

Executive General Manager – Corporate, MHRLaw

Ron is an experienced senior executive, with over 25 years operational and safety management experience in the Australian rail freight services industry. Since joining the Engenco Group in 2005 Ron has held various senior management roles and was appointed to the role of Executive General Manager – Corporate in 2021.

As Executive General Manager – Corporate, Ron is responsible for leading Engenco Group’s health and safety, workplace relations, marketing function, purchasing, insurance program, property management, ESG (environmental, social and governance) initiatives, internal communications, assurance, and business continuity planning.

Ron holds a Master of Human Resources and Law from the University of Newcastle.

Renée Cerveri-Tekani

Renée Cerveri-Tekani – Executive General Manager – People and Culture, BCom, BA

Renée comes to the Engenco Group from ASX listed Coles Group where Renée was Head of People and Culture, after previously holding the role of Head of Learning and Organisational Development. Renée has also worked with National Australia Bank in a range of senior HR roles. Renée brings to the Group extensive capability in the execution of people and culture strategies within a large publicly listed company, coupled with excellent internal consultancy and stakeholder engagement skills.

Renée holds a Bachelor of Commerce / Arts (Management & Psychology) from Monash University and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources, also from Monash University Melbourne.

Geoff Thorn

Executive General Manager Rail, BE Mechanical Engineering

Geoff is a senior rail executive with over 30 years’ experience holding various senior management, manufacturing, maintenance and engineering roles for companies including Gemco Rail, Clyde Engineering/Downer EDI Rail, Morrison Knudsen of Australia, State Rail Authority of NSW and Tyco Electronics. Geoff has been directly involved in numerous, large scale contracts for the design, manufacture, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of locomotives, wagons and electrical multiple unit passenger cars for key domestic and international rail customers.

Geoff holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Tony Stone

Executive General Manager – Drivetrain, MMgt

Tony is a senior executive with extensive experience in the operational management roles. Having previously held the long-term roles of General Manager Operations and Projects at Gekko Systems; and Production Manager at Thales Australia (ADI Limited). Tony has also held senior operational management roles at SEM Fire and Rescue, Lyco Innovations, and IBM Australia, and brings extensive capability in the execution of operational strategy and in addition to his deep experience in manufacturing has a strong understanding of the products and markets that Drivetrain currently service.

Tony holds a Master of Management (Manufacturing Management) from the University of South Australia; Tony has also completed qualifications in ‘Striving for Best Practice in Manufacturing’ RMIT, CERT IV in Competitive Systems, CERT IV in Information Technology, Technician Certificate – Mechanical (Diploma equivalent); completed an Electroplater’s apprenticeship and is a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Brett O’Connor

Executive General Manager – Workforce Solutions, AdvDip VocEd, Dip Mgt, Dip Eng/A

Brett is an experienced and knowledgeable leader. With a background in Engineering, Brett joins the Engenco Group having recently worked with Transport NSW, where he was the Executive Director for Learning & Development and the CEO at TfNSW Registered Training Organisation. Having previously held a combination of public and private sector leadership roles, Brett has built and transformed successful training and labour hire businesses, serving the transportation industry.