SEMMA Board Members for 2024/2025 as elected at the Annual General Meeting held on 05 September 2024.
SEMMA is managed by an elected board of 4 Executive Officers, 8 General Board Members, 1 representative of our Patron, the City of Greater Dandenong and 2 co-opted members.
OFFICERS
PETER ANGELICO
President
Peter first joined SEMMA’s Board in July 2013 before moving to the role of Vice President after 7 years, then President in 2019. He is the Founder and Managing Director of ABECK Group, is highly involved in community service and has appeared on ABC’s ‘Hard Quiz’.
IAN CUBITT
Vice President
Ian joined the SEMMA Board in July 2019 before quickly ascending to the role of Vice President in 2020. A family man, Ian, his wife Latinka Cubitt and their family have proudly owned and operated Catten Industries in Bayswater since 1994.
MATTHEW FOGARTY
Secretary
Matthew is the Director of Celsius Sheet Metal, a HVAC duct manufacturer making things in Dandenong. Matthew has worked internationally for PWC and Andersen, with a background in technology, consulting and manufacturing. He is a vocal supporter of creating entrepreneurial opportunities, small government and getting people into meaningful work.
MICHAEL HARROD
Treasurer
Michael is the General Manager of McKinna Group, joining SEMMA’s Executive team at our 2023 Annual General Meeting. Leading a team of almost 50 individuals in Braeside, he is a passionate advocate for local content, energy prices and operational costs for manufacturers.
HONI WALKER
Chief Executive Officer
Honi commenced with SEMMA in February 2023. Over the last twenty years, she has dedicated her career to business development, strategic relationship building and communications as well as co-owning a local manufacturing business.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
SAM BELL
Sam is the CEO of AW Bell and the third generation of his family to spearhead the company, having been heavily involved in the business from an early age. An active leader, Sam maintained a regular, friendly presence at the SEMMA Australian Manufacturing Week 2023 stand.
MARKUS OSWALD
Markus is the owner and manager of o.d.t. Engineering, a board member of SEMMA, and an active contributor to local community groups. He works closely with Local and State Governments and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute.
SCOTT FITZGIBBON
Scott’s clients at Macpherson Kelley (a founding SEMMA member) describe him as the person who gets them out of trouble. Scott helps solve their legal issues so they can focus on the important things, like running their business safely and productively.
MARKUS SPINDLER
Markus has been a long-serving member of SEMMA’s General Committee and is celebrating his 10th year with Nissan Casting. After completing his Masters of Mechanical Engineering in Munich, Markus worked in both China and Australia.
SIMON BELL
Simon serves as the CEO of the Hardman Group, which includes Hardman Bros, R&I Instrument & Gear Co, and Marks 4WD. With a 30-year career across both corporate and private industrial sectors, Simon is dedicated to championing the manufacturing industry and safeguarding sovereign capability.
JILL KOKINOS
Jill Kokinos is the General Manager of Spitwater, an iconic Australian manufacturer, supplier and service provider of pressure washers and commercial and industrial cleaning equipment. Operating out of Scoresby, Jill drives a culture of customer service excellence and sound governance.
STEPHEN VARTY
Stephen is the CEO of Chisholm Institute. Prior to Chisholm, he held executive leadership positions in the VET and HE sectors across the UK and Australia. Having a background in construction and engineering, Stephen has firsthand experience of vocational education’s real-world impact.
NATALY MATIJEVIC
Nataly is the Industry Development and Stakeholder Engagement Director at Alstom. She has responsibility for developing and leading industry development strategies and local content activities in Victoria. Alstom is a leader in developing innovative and sustainable transport solutions with key projects under way in Victoria, across Australia and New Zealand and internationally.
CO-OPTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PATRON REPRESENTATIVE
ANDREW O’LOUGHLIN
Andrew is Professor of Management at the Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, and the Director of Regional Strategy and Engagement, Eastern Region.
JILL WALSH
Jill Walsh played a key role in the establishment of SEMMA in 2003. In 2018, she was honored as the inaugural Woman Manufacturer of the Year and has recently served as the Victorian Rail Advocate.
KEVIN VAN BOXTEL
SEMMA welcomed Kevin as our Patron Representative in October 2023. Kevin is the Manager of Business Development & Investment for the City of Geater Dandenong.