Management Team

The Advitech Group – Executive Chairman

Having founded Advitech in November 1987, Larry is now Executive Chairman of an iconic business, The Advitech Group, comprising a number of companies using the major principles of STEM&M to provide products and services to mining, agriculture, defence, manufacturing, construction and government.

Originally servicing local heavy industry, Larry soon recognised that in order to grow, the group had to change their business strategy and move beyond being strictly consultants, expanding to include broader technical services and manufacture of niche products. He recognised that the future for Australia depended on knowledge intensive smart manufacturing and services, and aligned The Advitech Group with this future.

Larry brings a wealth of experience to the table after training as a chemical engineer, studying part-time whilst working in the steel and chemical industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemical Engineering) and Master of Engineering Science (Chemical Engineering) and is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and the Institution of Chemical Engineers. He is a foundation member of the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants and the Risk Engineering Society of Engineers Australia.

Larry is heavily involved in the local business community, currently a Director of the Hunter Angels Trust and on the Chemical Engineering Course Advisory Committee of the University of Newcastle.

Additionally, Larry is chairman of the Newcastle branch of the Australian Industry Group Manufacturing Innovation Cluster, championing local SME manufacturers.

Previously, Larry was a member of the Hunter Business Chamber Defence Committee (1997-2011), chaired the Hunter Responsible Care Group of the Australian Chemical Industry Council (1989-1992), and the Hunter Business Chamber Manufacturing Committee (2002-2003).

Advitech – Managing Director

Having been involved in manufacturing all of his working life, Steven brings a wealth of manufacturing, engineering and project management experience across all sectors to The Advitech Group. Steven has been pivotal in The Group’s growth into the Australian defence sector.

As Managing Director, Steven has overall responsibility for Advitech’s consulting services in engineering design, project management, risk management, functional safety, sustainability and environmental management.

With a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – First-Class Honours), Steven’s specific areas of expertise include problem analysis, feasibility investigations, engineering assessments, risk management, project development and project management.

Steven has been actively involved in the support of engineering-based manufacturing in the Hunter Region through his involvement with HunterNet – as a Director (1998-2006) and as Chairman (2001-2003). He was also previously a member of the Course Advisory Committee for the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Newcastle, and was elected Chairman of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards in 2017.

Hushpak – Managing Director, Advitech – Technical Director

Michael has been responsible for the engineering design and drafting work undertaken by The Advitech Group’s team of mechanical and structural engineers and drafters. He’s also responsible for The Group’s quality management system, which is accredited to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015.

As Managing Director of Hushpak, Michael manages an experienced manufacturing team who work closely with customers to custom design and install quality solutions. His primary focus is on achieving world-class technology driven solutions that address and solve real business issues pertaining to noise and workplace atmospheres.

He has more than 30 years’ broad experience in design, manufacturing, project management, risk management and business management, and is committed to providing superior engineering and environmental services to The Advitech Group’s customers.

Michael’s extensive experience includes the design of mechanical equipment and structures including materials handling, lifting equipment, process piping and pressure vessels, storage tanks and vessels, drive systems and marine/mechanical systems for RAN vessels.

He also has extensive knowledge of standards relating to safety of machinery and the NSW WHS Regulation 2011. He has conducted safety audits of industrial machinery and access, and facilitated numerous design and construction review risk assessments. From 2012 to 2015 he was the Qualified Mechanical Engineer for a number of coal preparation plants and an open cut coal mine in the Hunter Valley.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – Honours) and an MBA (Technology Management).

Novecom – Managing Director

Jeremy, an environmental scientist, has brought extensive experience in the areas of environmental monitoring, assessment and planning within the mining and heavy industry sectors to Novecom. Jeremy has been instrumental in the development of Novecom’s SentineX remote-monitoring and reporting platform, an industry-leading real-time environmental monitoring system for mining, manufacturing, construction and transport applications.

Jeremy drives the Novecom team of specialist developers and system integrators to aspire to be leaders in advanced technology.

Today, Jeremy is responsible for all aspects of Novecom’s operations, including the management of the company’s development, production and maintenance teams. He also works closely with Novecom’s clients to recommend and implement the best solutions for their remote environmental data acquisition and reporting needs.

Jeremy has more than 20 years’ experience in environmental management across the mining, minerals processing, transport, construction and consulting sectors. His knowledge has developed through industry, corporate and consulting roles, giving him a unique perspective on the business imperatives of technology development and application. He fosters a culture of customer focused innovation and continuous improvement.

With a Bachelor of Science (First-Class Honours) and Advanced Diploma in Management, Jeremy’s specific strengths and expertise are in ideation and technology application, problem solving and data analytics.

Acubis – General Manager

General Manager of Acubis Technologies, Kerrin brings extensive experience permeating across technology, information systems, telecommunications, coal mining, healthcare, defence, leadership, management and security.

Commencing his career as an Army Officer in 1999 specialising in Radio Communications, Information Systems, and Systems Engineering; Kerrin managed the design, deployment and maintenance of complex radio, wireless, point to point, and satellite systems in some of the harshest environments in the world and led teams of highly skilled Systems Engineers and Information System technicians.

Since 2008 in the private sector, Kerrin has worked in technology consulting, business development and leadership roles in Queensland mining support businesses, and most recently before joining Acubis Technologies he was the Regional Operations Manager (Offshore) for Wilson Security Australia.

Kerrin maintains a personal interest in innovation and new technologies that are rapidly changing our world, particularly in the areas of Augmented Reality (AR), Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Kerrin holds a variety of qualifications including a Bachelors degree specialising in Information Systems (Massey University (NZ)), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (Southern Cross University).

Simulation Modelling Services – Managing Director

With a strong background as an analyst and programmer, Lucas, Managing Director of SMS, works with clients to enable data-driven decision-making through the use of simulation modelling and advanced analytics.

Lucas prides himself on enabling clients to excel by enhancing their decision-making capabilities, working together to help them understand the big picture implications, identifying areas of risk and opportunity.

This in turn leads to increased productivity, reduced capital expenditure requirements and building a competitive advantage for customers.

Lucas specialises in using modelling and analytics technologies to support major strategic decisions, such as evaluating capital projects, improvement programs or cost saving initiatives. He has a Bachelor of Information Science from the University of Newcastle.

Lucas has more than 15 years’ experience providing simulation modelling and decision support consulting, software support and training to a range of industry sectors including mining, logistics, port operations, water utilities, supply chains, manufacturing, smelting and defence. He has undertaken work for clients locally and overseas.