Technically orientated and commercially focussed
Brendan Dow - Managing Director
Mr. Dow was appointed CEO in June 2005, joining the Board as Managing Director in January 2007. He is responsible for the development and execution of the Company's strategic plan, focusing on commercialisation of our technology. Prior to joining Ceramic Fuel Cells, he was Managing Director of the Australian subsidiary of two German global electrical component manufacturers. He was responsible for operations across Australia and New Zealand, as well as establishing and managing Greenfield manufacturing operations in Malaysia and sales and marketing across South East Asia.
From 1992-1996, Mr. Dow was a Regional Manager within a multi-national electrical equipment company, and from 1989 to 1992, he worked as Production Manager in London for a multinational in FMCG. Mr. Dow completed his undergraduate degree at Swinburne University Australia in Manufacturing Engineering (Honours) and an MBA at Mt Eliza Business School (University of Melbourne).
Tony Sherburn - Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Sherburn is a Chartered Accountant with a degree in economics and over 20 years experience in finance, accounting, and strategic planning. He has commercial experience in industries including manufacturing and new technology. Mr. Sherburn has been involved in venture capital equity raising within a high technology environment and has held senior finance positions in public companies.
Karl Föger - Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Föger is an initiator of SOFC technology in Australia and has an international reputation in research and development in the energy and environmental fields. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University in Melbourne. Dr. Föger held various research and management roles at Australia's CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), culminating in his appointment as a Chief Research Scientist. He has been involved with Ceramic Fuel Cells since its inception and has published several papers on SOFC technology.
John Rajoo - Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Rajoo has extensive experience in senior operations and general management with multi national companies, specialising in high technology products. This includes functional areas of engineering, strategy and sales. Mr. Rajoo has also been involved in commercialising new technology products and holds qualifications in engineering and business management.
Andrew Neilson - Group General Manager - Commercial
Mr. Neilson has worked as a solicitor with one of Australia's largest law firms, and as an in-house legal counsel and commercial manager for two NYSE-listed global IT firms. He has experience with commercialising technology, identifying and managing commercial risk and in structuring and negotiating contracts with global partners, suppliers and customers. Mr. Neilson is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Trent Rowe - Group General Manager - Product & Marketing
Mr. Rowe specialises in helping industrial companies turn their technology into 'products' and then integrating these products into customers' applications via direct sales and distribution channels. He has broad experience in the manufacturing and plastics processing industries, the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry and marketing industrial products across global markets. He has an MBA and is a member of the Australian Marketing Institute.
Frank Boyd - Group General Manager - ERP Systems
Mr. Boyd is a CPA with a degree in Business Studies and a Graduate of the AICD. He was previously Finance and Operations Director of an importing Company and Managing Director of their subsidiary manufacturing company with factories in Australia and Malaysia. He also worked extensively as a consultant for Peat Marwick and held the position of Director of Private Business Consulting Services.
Peter McDonell - General Manager Human Resources
Mr. McDonell's human resources management experience includes key roles with one of the world's leading global automotive and engineering companies. He has extensive involvement in human resources strategy and policy, performance management, workplace relations and operational aspects of human resources. He has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations and is a Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Frank Obernitz - Managing Director Ceramic Fuel Cells B.V.
Mr. Obernitz is responsible for the establishment and development of the European business for the Company. He has a long-standing experience in the utility and technology sector. Prior to joining Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, he held several management positions at the Dutch electricity and gas supplier Nuon. Amongst other things, he was in charge of the development of the combined heat and power generation business as well as for Nuon's entry to the German market. Mr. Obernitz graduated in energy and process engineering. In addition, he completed the General Management Program at INSEAD, Fontainebleau. Mr. Obernitz speaks German, English and Dutch.