Michael is Chairman of the Governance Board of the NSW Space Research Network. The board oversees the activities and processes of the SRN executive management team who are responsible for administering a program of government funding for university research supporting the development and growth of the emerging Australian space industry sector.

Michael provides industrial guidance and direction to help align research initiatives with commercialisation opportunities in industry.

Michael provided industrial guidance and leadership promoting closer collaboration between university researchers and external industry. He also supported the definition and establishment of collaborative research projects between the university, Thales and external entities such as the SmartSat CRC.

Michael worked in the Technical Engineering & Strategy group of the Thales Australia corporate organisation. He supported the business strategy team in the formulation and implementation of strategic growth plans for the Australian business. Michael also provided specialist technical skills to address major technical challenges across the various country business units in Thales Australia, and was actively involved in the establishment and oversight of collaborative working relationships with… Show more Michael worked in the Technical Engineering & Strategy group of the Thales Australia corporate organisation. He supported the business strategy team in the formulation and implementation of strategic growth plans for the Australian business. Michael also provided specialist technical skills to address major technical challenges across the various country business units in Thales Australia, and was actively involved in the establishment and oversight of collaborative working relationships with external research organisations and universities. Show less

Michael led the establishment of a small specialist team to address new business requirements in the Land Integration area. This involved collaboration across two Country Business Units in the Thales Australia organisation, and leveraging of the global Thales technology and product portfolio. A vehicle electronic architecture was defined to allow an integrated computing system to be readily fitted to protected military land vehicles, such as the Thales Hawkei and Bushmaster vehicles.

Michael was employed as Director Research & Technology, Thales Australia, with responsibilities extending across all of Thales Australia business activities. Prior to taking on this role, Michael gained extensive experience in the Thales Australia Underwater Systems Business Unit.Responsibilities included:• Guiding Thales business domains in preparation of their Technical Strategy Plans and definition of Self Funded R&D programs.• Technical review and audit of selected bids and… Show more Michael was employed as Director Research & Technology, Thales Australia, with responsibilities extending across all of Thales Australia business activities. Prior to taking on this role, Michael gained extensive experience in the Thales Australia Underwater Systems Business Unit.Responsibilities included:• Guiding Thales business domains in preparation of their Technical Strategy Plans and definition of Self Funded R&D programs.• Technical review and audit of selected bids and programs.• Undertaking reviews of Self Funded R&D programs.• Definition and execution of innovation activities.• Supporting the development and implementation of strategies and plans to improve engineering. Show less

Michael was a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Innovation Research Group (AIRG), a registered not-for-profit industry-led association whose primary goal was to foster the effective development of the Australian innovation ecosystem for the benefit of its members and the society at large.

Michael was employed as Technology Coordinator in the Corporate Technical Directorate of Thomson Marconi Sonar (TMS), based in Sophia Antipolis, France. Michael’s job involved coordination of the development and application of technology across the three operational units of TMS based in Australia, UK and France.Responsibilities:• Management of the annual self funded research & development budget of approximately 15M Euro.• Technical coordination of sonar processing machine… Show more Michael was employed as Technology Coordinator in the Corporate Technical Directorate of Thomson Marconi Sonar (TMS), based in Sophia Antipolis, France. Michael’s job involved coordination of the development and application of technology across the three operational units of TMS based in Australia, UK and France.Responsibilities:• Management of the annual self funded research & development budget of approximately 15M Euro.• Technical coordination of sonar processing machine technology, and the Seismic & Marine Civil Product Line. Show less