Leadership Team

 

Mr Philippe Odouard 

Managing Director

Mr. Odouard has over 26 years in general management of Defence related companies in Australia and overseas. He developed Quickstep, an innovative ASX listed company from a start up to a leader in composite manufacture and technology with $50m revenue. He specialises in developing and commercialising new technology in a Defence environment.

 

Mr Robert Quodling

Chief Operating Officer

 Mr. Quodling has extensive experience as a leader and motivator of high performance commerce teams in the defence and aerospace sectors at the operational and executive level. His skills have been gained in a diverse range of activities including corporate governance, corporate planning, financial planning, project management, marketing, sales and business development. Mr. Quodling as a former Army Officer held a range of command and operational appointments in the Australian Army between 1975 and 1994. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for conspicuous service with the Special Air Service Regiment. 

 

Mr David Brooking

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. David Brooking has worked in accounting and finance for over thirty years and has a particular interest in systems and staff development. Working across different types of enterprises, he has been able to adapt to their needs by relying on the sophisticated fundamentals of his studies and the skills learnt in industry. Mr. Brooking has a Certificate of Accountancy, a Bachelor of Arts and an Executive MBA. Throughout his career, Mr. Brooking has leveraged technology to amplify the effectiveness of the workflows for which he had responsibility. Initially focussing on the day-to-day issues for XTEK he is now well placed to help the business grow through the development of accounting and enterprise management systems.

 

Mr Lawrence Gardiner

Head of Corporate Services

 Mr. Gardiner served with the Australian Army and specialised in the fields of logistic management and explosive ordnance disposal operations. In addition to his military service, Mr. Gardiner also served with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), performing senior executive roles in the areas of counter terrorist first response and protective security operations. Mr. Gardiner is a current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

 

Mr Tibor Fekete

Head of Business Development and SUAS Business Unit

Mr. Tibor Fekete is the Head of Business Development and the SUAS Business Unit at XTEK. After 22 years in the Australian Army he joined XTEK in 2007. He initially run XTEK’s logistics engineering activities before moving into business development and training.  He is passionate about removing soldiers and first responders from harm’s way through the application of innovative technology. To this end he has been instrumental in driving the development of unmanned systems, drone (SUAS) and XTatlas technology at XTEK. 

 

Mr Alan Elliott

EOD/IEDD Sales Manager

Mr. Alan Elliott is responsible for the management of the EOD portfolio within the XTEK Group. Mr. Elliott spent 34 years with Victoria Police, the majority within the Special Operation Group & Bomb Response Unit. Mr. Elliott is a former Police Bomb Technician with over thirty years experience in the Bomb Response arena including serving as the International Director of the IABTI.

 

Mr Daniel Richmond

Tactical and Protective Solutions Sales Manager

Mr. Daniel Richmond leads XTEK’s Tactical and Protective Solutions business unit. Mr. Richmond has a background in specialist areas within the Australian Military and an Australian police specialist tactical unit. Mr. Richmond has spent time in the development and training sections within both of these areas and has an extensive background in tactical operations and has always been highly interested in the equipment and weapons available to increase the effectiveness of tactical units.

 

Dr Adriano Di Pietro

Head of Composites Business Unit

Dr. Di Pietro leads XTEK’s Composites business unit.  Dr. Di Pietro joined XTEK, leaning on his skills and experience in lightweight carbon fibre technology, design and manufacturing, having previously lead state of the art technologies and products from research through to product launch. He has previously worked for the Australian Department of Defence, Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd., Zoox Inc., and has won a number of entrepreneurship awards. Dr. Di Pietro graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and later a Ph.D in composite materials and mechatronics from The Australian National University (ANU). He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Business from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia.  

 

Mr Ahmed Akkawy

Head of Logistics Engineering Business Unit

Mr. Ahmed (Al) Akkawy has been with XTEK since Jan 2008 and is currently the Head of the XTEK Logistics Engineering Business Unit (LEBU). In this role Mr. Akkawy coordinates all aspects of the workshop activities inclusive of Integrated Logistic Support services, repair and maintenance, technical data development, project delivery, and liaises with the Original Equipment Manufacturers in support of XTEK products sold within Australia. Mr. Akkawy has had over 30 years’ experience in both the Army and commercial enterprise in the electronics/instrumentation repair, maintenance, and service industry. He has a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies and has worked in a range of roles including Field Engineer , Electronics Team Leader, Armoured Vehicles Supervisor and Electro-optical Repair Facility Supervisor.