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 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.

Dr Adriano Di Pietro

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Di Pietro is a highly experienced composite material technologist and design and manufacturing specialist. He is focused on bringing state of the art technology to our frontline protectors. He has previously worked for the Australian Department of Defence, Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd., Zoox Inc. Dr. Di Pietro is responsible for all R&D, engineering and manufacturing at XTEK and also leads the Composites Business Unit.

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 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 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.  

Mr Mike Bundy

President & CEO HighCom Armor

Mike Bundy is President and Chief Executive Officer of HighCom Armor and has served in both Director and senior management roles for HighCom Armor since beginning his career with the company in 2006.