Our People
Collectively, Aurizn's team bring world-class and industry leading expertise across science, engineering, technology and project management.
Ganen Ganeswaran
CEO Defence
Ganen is CEO of Aurizn’s defence business and provides strategic, financial and operational leadership for the group defence, space and national security business. He also sits on the Aurizn Board.
Ganen co-founded elmTEK and created a highly reputable sovereign defence science and technology business that merged with Consilium Technology in 2022 to create Aurizn.
For more than a decade, Ganen has helped Defence on critical projects solve platform and mission survivability challenges through better approaches to sensor and system performance characterisation and validation, improved tactics and enhanced signature prediction capabilities.
At Aurizn, Ganen is focused on scaling the Defence business, working collaboratively with our customers and partners to deliver solutions through novel approaches and asymmetric technology to solve complex problems.
He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) (Hons) and Bachelor of Science (IT) from the University of WA.
Bjorn Wharff
Director of Strategy
As the Director of Strategy at Aurizn, Bjorn provides strategic leadership to the key defence customer and campaign portfolios for the business. Bjorn also sits on the Aurizn Board.
As co-founder of elmTEK, which merged with Consilium Technology in 2022, Bjorn brings deep expertise in science and technology, simulation, experimentation and capability development, and has successfully led a number of strategic partnerships and capabilities with Defence, delivering increased value to customers and a sustained growth trajectory for the business.
With a rich history founded in technical management and senior consulting in Defence and Defence Industry, Bjorn has presided over a number of complex programs in the national and international arena across Cyber, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and C5ISREW domains.
Nick Fuggle
Chief Financial Officer
Nick is the Chief Financial Officer for the Aurizn Group.
Nick brings financial and commercial insight to the team and supports the delivery of the Group's integration, strategy and growth objectives.
A Chartered Accountant, Nick started his career as an auditor with Price Waterhouse Coopers in London, and has also held senior financial and commercial roles with the Walt Disney Company and Cobham plc, a UK listed defence and aerospace company.
Nick has a BA (Hons) History and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants UK.
LEE BLUCHER
GENERAL MANAGER
A passionate leader with a focus on culture and team building, Lee is responsible for managing the daily operations of Aurizn’s defence business.
This includes strategic planning and driving organisational change, policy development, resource management, contract management, recruitment and onboarding and financial reporting and budgeting.
Lee has a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) (Hons), Flinders University and a Diploma of Management from the University of South Australia.
Nick Cooper
Chief Information Officer
Nick is responsible for Aurizn’s internal IT and operations and program management for our Defence clients.
He has over 20 years of technology and leadership experience with a focus on Defence. He has held roles covering software engineering, technical lead and project management, and has deep technology & architecture expertise.
Nick has a Bachelor of Computer and Information Science (Programming, Business) from University of South Australia, and is PRINCE2 and Scrum Master certified.
SARAH HIBBARD
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Sarah is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aurizn.
She is responsible for customer-facing interfaces and ensuring that Aurizn’s functions and teams are aligned to meet strategic commercial objectives.
Sarah also leads the globally licensed Infinite Studio product and development team.
Her experience spans strategy, business development, marketing, sales, branding and customer experience and operations.
Sarah holds a Master of Psychology (Organisational and Human Factors), Bachelor of Law (Hons), First Class Honours in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Adelaide. She is also a Registered Psychologist and Industry Leaders Fund (ILF) Scholar.
Sarah Amadio
Manager, Finance & Accounting
Sarah leads the Aurizn finance team, working with management to ensure the continual growth of the business.
This includes preparing and managing strategic outcomes, financial reporting, contract management, process improvement within the business and overseeing business cash flow.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a qualified Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).
Mike Holmes
Manager Commercial Business Development and Chief Security Officer
Mike is responsible for commercial and business development functions and chief of company security.
As a business development executive with over 30 years’ experience in defence electronics, Mike has worked in both government and industry positions in Australia.
He is an active contributor to various Australian Defence related industry forums and associations, including four years with the French-Australia Chamber of Commerce and is currently a member of the AIDN SA state committee.
Mike holds a Master’s in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia in 2011 and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Peter Amerl
Chief Scientist
He provides highly technical and scientific governance guidance and expertise, from supporting the R&D roadmap, science strategy, IP strategy and leading the development of scientific solutions across the business.
Peter is highly experienced in business process improvement, people management, instrumentation modelling and development, and scientific data analysis.
He is also experienced in electro optic detector hardware development, multiband electro optic (EO) simulation, developing detection algorithms, modelling of EO countermeasures and LiDAR applications, space instrumentation design, nuclear analyser design, ultrasonic analyser design and microwave measurements.
Peter has a Bachelor of Science (Astrophysics & Physics), Masters of Science (Physics, Microwave Spectroscopy) and Doctor of Philosophy (Physics – Mass Spectrometry) from the University of Calgary.
RAFAEL KARGREN
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – ENTERPRISE
Rafael leads Aurizn’s Enterprise Sales team, heading up the strategy for our suite of new and existing products.
With more than 30 years of international experience in sales, leadership and project roles, Rafael strong technical skills enables him to understand client challenges and needs. He works closely with new and existing clients to find the right Aurizn enterprise solutions for their business.
Rafael has an MBA (Leadership) from UCL, and a MSc in Computer Science.
Ben SchuLtz
Enterprise Lead - AI Solutions
Ben is Aurizn’s AI Lead, driving innovation and the implementation of real-world solutions for clients.
As an experienced engineering manager, Ben is skilled in leading and inspiring high performing teams to deliver intelligent solutions in the domains of deep learning computer vision, autonomous forecasting, NLP and electronic signal classification.
With his strong technical background and expertise in Machine Learning Algorithms and AI, he is adept at technical scope liaison, understanding customer needs and delivering tailored solutions across mining and resources, defence and manufacturing.
Ben has a Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) and Masters of Engineering from Flinders University (First Class Honours and Engineering Medal for Best Performing Graduate).
Mark McDonnell
Machine Learning Specialist
Mark is Aurizn’s AI Capability Lead and Machine Learning Specialist.
He ensures Aurizn's AI capabilities and technology continue to be at the cutting edge, enabling us to create innovative new solutions for clients.
Mark mentors Aurizn’s team of data scientists and works with clients to establish issues and identify methods to create successful outcomes.
As well as leading a specialist Machine Learning research laboratory at the University of South Australia, Mark has consulted on and delivered Machine Learning to the mining, sports, agriculture, health, manufacturing, defence and finance sectors
He has a PhD in Electronic Engineering and Applied Mathematics from the University of Adelaide.
Craig Williams
Program Manager
As Program Manager, Craig looks after our various defence projects and builds on his experience managing Defence, Government and Commercial engineering and research projects and programs with Defence companies and Government Organisations.
As an engineering operations manager, Craig has managed large teams of engineers in various defence and commercial projects across all aspects of personnel management including performance, career development, resource acquisition and engineering student placements.
Craig is currently engaged in a PhD program with the University of Adelaide in 3D LiDAR modelling and analysis of the Naracoorte Caves in South Australia.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology and Biology), Flinders University, Bachelor of Science (Palaeontology) (Hons) and a Master of Business Administration, University of Adelaide
Martin Green
Engineering Manager
An experienced Engineering Manager, Martin has more than 25 years of experience in delivering complex projects.
With a background in Software, Systems and System Safety engineering and extensive experience in managing engineering teams, Martin provides engineering governance and assurance across Aurizn’s engineering projects to ensure successful delivery on clients’ requirements. This includes the management of engineering resources, systems and tools.
Martin is responsible for the maintenance and accreditation of the company Quality Management and Work Health and Safety systems.
He has a Bachelor of Science (Computing), University of Bolton (UK).
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