Board

Former AIMEX Vice President and Board Member Sean was a long-serving senior executive with renowned Australian marine electronics powerhouse GME prior to establishing his consultancy business. Currently, he is advising local and international companies in the areas of product and business development, specialising in targeted market entry strategies, corporate communications, and regulatory requirements. A resident…

Gillian is a naval architect, engineering project manager and surveyor who has built her career over the last 18 years in the superyacht industry. Through her company Pacific Marine Design, she has worked for owners, design houses and shipyards on projects across several countries, and in Australia. Most recently, Gillian was an integral part of…

Kristina Agustin has spent more than 20 years working across the global superyacht and commercial maritime sectors. She began at sea and progressing into senior yacht management and fleet business management, including her role as Superyacht Business Consultant with Wright Maritime Group (USA). From that foundation, Kristina founded Southern Sky AI, a digital navigation practice…

Nick Lester has dedicated 20 years to the maritime industry, beginning his career on Sydney Harbour with Sydney Showboats. He currently serves as General Manager of SeaLink’s Sydney Harbour division, where he leads a team of over 400 staff and oversees a fleet of 14 vessels. This division includes renowned businesses such as Captain Cook…

Alan Steber is the General Manager and Director of Steber International. An original AIMEX Board member and former AIMEX President, Mr Steber recently received a centenary medal as well as an industry achievement award for outstanding services to the marine industry. Steber International exports to Mauritius, Seychelles, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Malaysia, Solomon Islands,…

Andrew Wagner brings over 35 years of Project and General Management experience in the marine industry, spanning the Defence, Leisure Marine, Oil & Gas, and Power Generation sectors. He currently serves as Business Development Manager at Tropical Reef Shipyard, the largest capacity shipyard in Northern Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, where his clients include the…

Tom is a director of ADCO Constructions, one of Australia’s largest privately-owned construction companies, where he commenced working in 2011 and is now recognised as an integral part of the business, providing valuable leadership and guidance. ADCO is a multi-billion dollar family business that was established over 50 years ago with a portfolio of over…

Zac Bailey is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of Australia and a former superyacht captain with thirty years of global vessel command. As Principal of Indo-Pacific Solutions, an Australia-based incorporated legal practice, he leads its Legal, Consultancy, Compliance and Intelligence divisions, advising superyacht owners, shipping operators, corporate clients, family offices and maritime…

Andrew Rokstad has worked in the Marine Industry since 2003, predominantly with commercial passenger vessels. Andrew was a captain on vessels 24m-35m for 11 years, 3 years as Operations & Maintenance Manager for a fleet of 4 vessels moving up to General Manager of Operations. During this time he fostered close working relationships with local…

Sherie Evans has been with Auriga Pilots, formerly known as Australian Reef Pilots, for 18 years, serving as General Manager, Reef for the past 3 years. Her passion for the shipping industry, particularly the superyacht sector, has been a defining aspect of her career. Sherie holds a Diploma in Maritime Business Management and is a…

Dan McCarthy is a marine professional who has operated Game Fishing vessels in the GBR region over the last 30 years. Dan’s contributions to both the Superyacht and the broader Marine and Maritime industry of the GBR spans over several decades and includes: – Key contributor to superyacht charter legislation passing through the Senate –…

Joscelyn O’Keefe is the Head of Marketing & BD at the award-winning Coral Sea Marina with 20 years industry experience across the marine tourism sector. Over the last 8 years at CSM, Joscelyn has been instrumental in developing a Superyacht strategy for the marina which has led to exponential year-on-year visitation and places CSM as…

Dr Andrew Lewis is a marine scientist and mariner with a Ph.D. in coral reef ecology from JCU, and the founder of the Coral Sea Foundation. He managed the ecotourism activities aboard the expedition vessel True North for over a decade, surveying reefs and collaborating with Indigenous people across a wide variety of tropical locations,…

Ben Gillard’s career began in Cairns as a diving instructor and captain. This experience led him to a 15-year stint in the superyacht industry as Captain and engineer aboard yachts ranging from 35 to 90 metres. In the mid-2000s, Ben answered the call of duty, joining the Australian Infantry. He served with both 1RAR and…

MaryAnne Edwards was CEO of the Australian Marine Export Group & Superyacht Australia from 2006 to 2018 and has been instrumental in the organisation’s growth and success, which is now seen as one of the most successful and professionally run trade organisations in Australia. MaryAnne has a strong background within the marine industry, having spent…

Barry Jenkins was associated with the marine industry in Queensland for many years. Initially operating Engraving Unlimited, a small company that subcontracted to many ship and boat building companies in Brisbane and throughout Queensland. After a short sabbatical with Adelaide Steamship Company as an apprentice deck officer, he returned to the sign-making and sheet metal…

Dr Thomas Wechselberger has been the Project Manager responsible for Maritime Industry Development in the Queensland Government since December 2006. He was responsible for the Queensland Government Marine Action Plan 2008, the Queensland Superyacht Strategy 2008 -2013 and the most recent Queensland Government Superyacht Strategy 2018-28. Thomas is also the lead for the Queensland Government…

Steve is the owner and Managing Director of One2three Naval Architects, the renowned Australian design firm with an international reputation for innovation and excellence in the high-speed vessel and motor yacht industry. Steve’s total experience to date adds up to over 350 vessels operating in 32 countries, with his career commencing at Incat as a…

Nav is an experienced senior banker, having spent over 20 years in financial services across a range of niche industries. She is passionate about helping Australians grow their businesses and seeing a great idea grow into a thriving business on the back of hard work, determination and expert banking guidance. Having owned her own business,…

Julien Pouteau is the Managing Director of d’Albora Marinas, Australia’s leading premium marina network. With more than 25 years of experience across hospitality, marine operations, and asset management, Julien specialises in transforming waterfront assets into high-performing lifestyle destinations. Julien has led the integration of multiple marina acquisitions across Australia, with a strong focus on enhancing…

Matt is part of the Benetti Sales team and is responsible for all Australian and New Zealand Benetti clients.  He has 23 years industry experience working across brokerage, new build, refit and charter.   Matthew has a long-standing relationship with the Azimut|Benetti Group having previously run the Australia Azimut Yachts sales business as the CEO…

Kathleen Ferguson is the Managing Director of Trinity Fire Services, a specialist fire protection and safety company servicing the marine, defence and commercial sectors across Northern Australia. Established in Cairns in 1987, Trinity Fire Services has built a strong reputation for technical expertise, reliability and the delivery of fire safety solutions in some of Australia’s…

Sydney Born, Jayson McDonald grew up in Manly on the Northern Beaches and started his maritime career in the NSW Water Police based at Broken Bay. Leaving the Police Force to follow the ambition of becoming a Super Yacht Captain which started in 1990, Jayson still holds a current Master <35 NC qualification with ASMA…

Duncan is the Sales and Marketing Director of ACME Group and specialises in their marine division, Quality Marine Clothing. Located in Sydney, Australia and having been brought up with a father in the apparel industry, Duncan quickly found that his passion for the marine industry tied with his generational knowledge of apparel was a niche…

Tommy is the Director of the Aus Ships Group headquartered at the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard precinct in Brisbane.  Born in Scandinavia, a love for the sea was in his veins from an early age, having sailed extensively with his family in northern Europe and Australia. This ‘devocean’ has grown from a passionate pastime to…

Born in Germany and schooled in Australia,  Peter Redford studied mechanical engineering and proceeded to work for one of Sydney’s most reputable engineering consulting firms.  Later his work commitments presented him as a sales engineer at Caterpillar in the middle East as of head of sales. He worked closely with the international division and assisted…

Joachim founded Ocean Alliance when he relocated to Sydney after gaining extensive experience with the international superyacht industry. His roles were involved in the operation and management of both private and chartered superyachts in regions covering the globe. After relocating to Sydney in 2006 following many years working in the industry abroad he was involved…

Strategic, dynamic and analytical marine industry professional with 27+ years of global experience. Former luxury motor yacht Captain, specialising in large yacht operations, vessel and project management and new business development. At Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, I leverage deep industry expertise to build partnerships, drive business growth and deliver world-class experiences for yacht owners, captains…

With over 25 years of experience in the maritime industry, I have built a career shaped by passion, hands-on knowledge, and a drive to innovate. From managing dive centres to traveling the world aboard superyachts as a Dive Instructor and First Mate, through to port and marina operations at Cairns Marlin Marina and Rivergate Marina…

Cameron is the managing director of Northrop & Johnson Australia, and of Bray Management; one of Australia’s leading superyacht charter and management firms. Cameron sits on the Superyacht Australia committee to aid in the growth and betterment of the Australian superyacht industry. Bray Management is the first Superyacht Australia member to achieve accreditation with MYBA,…

Chris Blackwell brings over 28 years of experience across shipbuilding design, project management, sales and marketing, with a career spanning three of Western Australia’s leading shipbuilders: Austal, SilverYachts and Echo Yachts. After eight years with Austal in design and project management, Chris joined SilverYachts in 2005 for their inaugural project M/Y Silver as Design Manager,…