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ATA staff

Chief Executive Officer

CEO Michael Deegan

Michael Deegan joined the ATA in August 2021.

Involved in road freight transport policy for more than 20 years, Michael’s previous senior roles include Chair of the National Transport Commission, National Infrastructure Coordinator at Infrastructure Australia and CEO of the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Michael is an expert at developing and implementing visionary strategies and was responsible for Australia’s first transport plan and first national freight strategy.

Contact: michael.deegan@truck.net.au

Executive Officer Erika Laurente

Erika is the Executive Officer at the Australian Trucking Association.

With nearly ten years’ experience within membership-based associations such as the Australian Coal Association and the Canberra Business Chamber, she is a highly driven and resourceful coordinator with a strong focus on processes, stakeholder engagement and executive level administration.

Contact: erika.laurente@truck.net.au

 

Policy

Chief of Staff and Policy Director Bill McKinley

Bill joined the ATA in 2007 after a 17-year career as a political adviser in Queensland and national politics. Most notably, he was the communications adviser to Deputy Prime Ministers John Anderson and Mark Vaile.

Since 2007, Bill has held government relations, communications and policy roles at the ATA. He is now the ATA’s Chief of Staff.

Contact: bill.mckinley@truck.net.au

 

Sustainability and Future Transport Manager Sam Marks

Sam is the Sustainability and Future Transport Manager at the Australian Trucking Association with responsibility for policy development and advice on transport infrastructure, sustainability and zero emission trucks, urban planning and related policy issues.  

He has a background in policy, parliamentary process, government and urban and transport planning policy.

Sam has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies, is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and a member of the PIA NSW transport network.

Contact: samuel.marks@truck.net.au

 

Safety, Health and Wellbe

TruckSafe Executive Officer Kevin Walsh

Kevin is the Executive Officer for TruckSafe and has been managing the day-to-day administration for 10 years.

With a background in the transport and warehousing industry he has spent many years engaged with the loading and unloading of various sizes and configurations of trucks and trailers. Kevin has a certificate III in Warehousing.

He continues to expand his knowledge of the trucking industry through the many contacts he has with trucking operators improving their safety by being TruckSafe accredited.

Contact: kevin.walsh@truck.net.au

 

Partnerships and Events

Member Services and Corporate Partnerships Director, Kellie Edwards

Kellie Edwards is the ATA Member Services and Corporate Partnerships Director, responsible for managing the corporate partnerships, events, and members stakeholder engagement.
 
Kellie brings over 20 years not for profit sector and events management experience to the ATA along with sourcing, account managing and reporting to both national and local corporate partnerships.
 
In her past roles, she has developed innovative fundraising campaigns and events for a variety of high profile national charities both in Sydney and the ACT helping to raise millions of dollars for many worthwhile causes.
Kellie is looking forward to working closely with all of the ATA’s partners and members.
 

Contact: kellie.edwards@truck.net.au

 

Finance

Finance Manager, Francisco Gonçalves

Francisco joined the ATA in August 2021, as is responsible for all aspects of the financial administration for the ATA and its related entities. 
 
Francisco comes to the ATA following more than four years of experience with a Canberra-based construction industry service provider, and more than 14 years of international experience in Portugal and Angola. 
 
Francisco is a CPA Association member and has sound knowledge of the Australian International Financial Reporting Standards, Australian Corporate Law and ATO/ASIC regulatory reporting.
 

Contact: francisco.goncalves@truck.net.au

 

Property Management

Building Manager Chris Head

Chris Head is the Building and Services Manager at the Australian Trucking Association and has managed the National Headquarters Building since its commissioning in October 2002.

With a trade background as an Electrical fitter then moving into building automation, fire and security fields and finally Facility Management his technical skills have been an asset to the building, building tenants and secretariat.

Recently assisting with the project management of major upgrade works at the National Headquarters Building which achieved the building a NABERS Energy rating of over 4.5 stars and improved facilities for the building existing tenants and creating new interest in the building for prospective new tenants and visitors.

Contact: chris.head@truck.net.au

Assistant Building Manager Duane Dawson

Duane Dawson offers 16 years of experience in commercial real estate, customer service and a commitment to work hard.

Consulting to the ATA in the role of Assistance Building Manager Duane supports the Building Manager, Chris Head and finance team to ensure 25 National Circuit, Forrest continues of offer its Tenants the very best accommodation and service in the Canberra market.

Contact: duane.dawson@truck.net.au

Tenant Liaison Officer Helen Davies

Helen assists the ATA with its lease negotiations and tenant relationships within its national headquarters building in Canberra.  Helen worked with the ATA in the planning and development of the building in 2001 and 2002.  Her major role was to secure and negotiate pre commitment leases from anchor tenants which enabled the headquarter’s development to proceed.

Helen has been involved in the refurbishment and upgrade of this major asset which is now complete.  

Contact: helen.davies@truck.net.au