Clive Rossiter, 49
Head of the Aerospace Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation, Canberra

Electrical engineer Air Vice-Marshall Clive Rossiter is the head of the Defence Materiel Organi-sation’s Aerospace Systems Division (ASD), which is responsible for acquiring and sustaining aerospace systems for the Australian Defence Force. ASD employs 1900 people; provides support to 20 in-service aircraft types and associated ground systems with an annual support budget of $900 million; has 34 major capital projects under management with remaining scope valued at $4 billion; and an annual project expenditure of approximately $1.1 billion.
One of Rossiter’s career highlights was leading the team of engineers responsible for implementing the Air Force’s new engineering regulatory system, which decentralised its engineering structure and collocated logistics and engineering support with the operational customer.
“My goal for the next three years is to continue to build the division’s organisational competence and resilience, and to further develop and harness Australia’s aerospace industry under performance based contracts.”
Rossiter’s family occupies most of his non-work time. They are involved in several competitive sports. Other interests include bike riding, gardening, reading, house renovations and “I play ultimate frisbee against 20-odd year olds (but not very well)”.

Shireane McKinnie, 48
Head of the Electronic and Weapons Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation, Canberra

Shireane McKinnie is the head of the Electronic and Weapons Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), a position she has held for over four years. The division has 1000 staff, a budget of $1 billion and 110 projects in the works.
McKinnie is responsible for acquiring and supporting electronic and weapon systems for the whole of the Defence organisation. This includes electronic warfare, radar, surveillance, communications, command support, guided weapons and explosive ordnance.
During her time as head of the division, McKinnie established innovative programs for improving software acquisition, systems engineering, project planning and scheduling, program management skills, as well as developed standard processes for acquisition and in-service support in the DMO. She also was instrumental in the development of Defence’s Electronic Systems Sector Strategic Plan which was issued in early 2004.
McKinnie wants to inspire engineers to a whole-of-enterprise view on pursuing their career aspirations and achievements. She also wants to push industry to perform better and understand government accountability, to build a performance culture and greater levels of collaboration.
McKinnie has a bachelor of engineering (electrical) degree from the University of NSW.

Stephen Gumley, 48
Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Canberra

Dr Stephen Gumley is the chief executive officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) – the biggest manager of physical assets in Australia, with an annual budget of around $6 billion in acquisition and sustainment contracts, for around $50 billion of specialised military assets. DMO employs around 6500 civilian,
Australian Defence Force and contracted personnel in about 50 locations throughout Australia and overseas.
A mechanical and electrical engineer, Gumley has recently been given more powers to flexibly adjust resources in the DMO to provide services more effectively and efficiently.
Gumley’s drive to professionalise the DMO and increase skills across the organisation has raised the number of DMO project staff who are now chartered practising members of their relevant professional association. Several hundred other DMO staff are currently in the process of upgrading and documenting their skills to qualify for such recognition.
Gumley is married and has two teenage children. He enjoys spending time with his family, sailing and skiing, and is a supporter of the Richmond Football Club.

John Monaghan, 50
Chief Information Officer, Department of Defence, Canberra

Air Vice-Marshal John Monaghan was the head of the Aerospace Systems Division within the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) before being appointed the Defence Department’s new chief information officer (CIO) last November.
“Being given the opportunity to consolidate the new CIO Group within Defence is an exciting challenge. We are charged with ensuring that Defence has a dependable, secure and integrated information environment to support its business and military operations.
“The CIO Group has about 1400 people (mixed workforce of contracted personnel, public servants and military). That will grow as we assume responsibility for the development of major enterprise applications over the next two years.
Away from the Defence Department, Monaghan has spent a lot of time and energy in the last six years on his children through their matriculation years. He also loves gliding, when he can find the time to do it, and playing tennis (“badly”).

Peter Hutchinson, 48
Director-General Infrastructure Asset Development for the Department of Defence, Canberra

Brigadier Peter Hutch-inson is the director-general infrastructure asset development for the Department of Defence. He is responsible for the development, approval and delivery of major and medium works identified in the department’s capital works program.
Hutchinson returned to the position after serving as Australian national commander in the Middle East, where he was in command of Australia’s 800-strong joint task force in Iraq.
His career has included command appointments in the 3rd Field Engineer Regiment, 18th Field Squadron (Light), 21st Construction Squadron and 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment.
He has a bachelor of engineering (hons) in civil engineering from the University of NSW at the Royal Military College and a master of engineering science from the University of Sydney.

Trevor Ruting, 53
Head of the Maritime Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation, Canberra

Rear Admiral Trevor Ruting is the head of the Maritime Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation. The division has a budget of $1.7 billion and 1030 staff. It is responsible for contributing to capability development and the definition of new maritime major and minor investment proposals; as well as the acquisition of the materiel elements of approved capability investments, their introduction into service, in-service support and disposal when life-of-type has been reached.
Ruting has a BEng in naval architecture with first class honours from the University of NSW, and a MSc in naval architecture from the University of London.
Outside of engineering and work, he is the patron of the Military Christian Fellowship, enjoys sailing and touring Australia, and is currently building his daughter’s house.

Engineers Australia Magazine, Volume 77 No 6, June 2005.

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