Mentor Profiles

Discipline: Transport Planning and Project Development

Location: Wagga Wagga

Contact email or number: 6923 6604

Job title: Project Development Manager

Work experience: Former RTA Grad Program (Transport Planning ‘06-‘09), including project development, strategic planning, freight policy, event management. Major project development for about 10 years in south west NSW, including cross border bridges to Victoria and major highway upgrades.

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

I can guide a mentee using my experience as a former GRAD and 14 years' organisation experience. I have been a Graduate supervisor and an industry mentor previously. Having grown up in Sydney, I can offer guidance on moving to a regional location.

What do you like to do in your own time? (Hobbies)

I'm a senior motorsport official, including Bathurst 1000 and Formula 1. In my other spare time I enjoy spending as much as I can with my young daughter.

Discipline: Engineering

Location: Chatswood/Macquarie Park

Contact email or number: kenelm.wong@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Senior Engineer, Fleet

Work experience: Rolling Stock, Standards, Maintenance, Safety systems assurance

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

Someone who is willing to give back more than they take from the transport industry and society. I can offer the mentee my experience, observations and networks such that they can reach the “contribute back” state quicker.

Discipline: Engineering and Project Management

Location: Clyde Hub 146-148 Manchester Road, Clyde

Contact email or number: bojan.hadzic@transport.nsw.gov.au, 0408 491 494

Job title: Senior Program Manager

Work experience: I started my career at BigW and lasted part time to get 10 years service in various customer service, hands on and management roles. I subsequently spent a year working in industrial environments labouring across various warehouses and factories. I did a short placement with Robert Bird and Partners doing some basic structural design for a short time. I then got quiet heavily into post tensioned concrete Construction and a little bit of Design with both Structural Systems and VSL, where I did construction management, design, tendering and construction approvals during the week and a lot of Labouring most weekends. In between the two post tensioning companies I did just under a year with AWJ Civil working on an industrial earthworks pad installing deep services and a cul-de-sac road supporting the Project Engineer and Construction Manager. This was great fun as I got to play with a 20t excavator, a bobcat, a 4t dumpy and the large 10t padfoot and smooth drum rollers. Then got a unique offer to follow an interesting company in ARUP doing structural design. I got the call up 8 months after sending them a resume. I knew that I always wanted to be a builder but this was my opportunity to get heavily into design with the best in the industry, which is an opportunity I took for about 2.5 years. I was privileged to work on all sorts of steel, concrete, timber, glass, blockwork and post tensioned design, wrapping this experience up with designing one of the zones on Top Ryde Shopping Centre. This experience wrapped up in the GFC. I got made redundant and went on to work for Fairfield City Council where I learned about road and stormwater infrastructure and surveying. In 2010 after 9 months at Council I started with RailCorp/Sydney Trains back in a Graduate role. I worked in Track Maintenace with Infrastructure Facilities. The first 4 months I helped plan the annual works during the week and worked every weekend swinging the hammer and boring sleepers. After the 4 months I got seconded to Project Engineer in the same team. I had a full time track crew working for me doing all types of track construction work for the next 20months managing a $5 million program including numerous Re-railing, Re-sleepering, Track Reconstruction, Track welding, Turnout Refurbishment, Track Undercutting, Trackslabs, Stockrail and Switch Replacement, Asphalting, new siding Track Construction Projects and one Turnout Renewal Project. Long story short, even after delivering all this work successfully, I was moved back to the Graduate program due to a political decision. This was a blessing in disguise as I moved to Civil Renewals. I worked there for 3 months as a Graduate and landed a Project Engineer role. I put my hand up for every available project and was lucky to almost have delivered every facet of this work including the following projects: Dunmore Bridge Renewal Planning ($1million), Culvert Extension Warnervale ($650,000), Tunnel OHW works, Glenbrook Culvert renewal ($450,000), Campbelltown pipe-jacking and high voltage route ($600,000), Turrella Anti-Throw Screens, overhead wiring structures, Penshurst ($1,100,000) and Mortdale ($1,500,000) drainage projects, devegetation, rockbolting and fibre- and shot-creting, platform anchoring, delivery 2 x 200m track extensions ($1,500,000) in Campbelltown Yard including new drainage, services, track work and concrete walkway installation, emergency signal hut repairs Doonside, bridge refurbishment – spalling repairs, bridge blasting and painting of steelwork, mass block, gabion, besser block, keystone and post and panel retaining walls. This experience was wrapped up with my two babies (milestone projects) - Lily St Allawah Bridge Renewal ($22 million) and Bullaburra Platform Renewal ($6million). In the last 2 years I have managed a team of 60+ Track and Civil Engineers building strong foundations for an amazing team within Major Works. I have enjoyed seeing my team develop and grow into a strong unit that delivers strong outcomes for Major Works. I am proud of what we as a group have achieved and look forward to whatever the next chapter may be. My current role as Senior Program Manager in Electrical has allowed me to program manage a $19.64 million portfolio of 12 Programs including Overhead Wiring Modernisation (excitingly includes Sydney Yard Overhead Wiring Rebuild ‐ $30 million over 4 years), 11kV Ring Main Unit Renewal, Battery Banks, DCCB Frame Leakage at Sub Stations, Earthing and Bonding, Heating Ventilation and A/C Maintenance, Lighting Upgrades, Link Switches, Low Voltage Upgrades, Protection System Upgrades, Filed Switches Upgrades, Substation New and Transformers. Recently I have also been able to Project Manage $5.4 million workth of projects including OHW Modernisation, Transformer Overhauls, Tunnel OHW Works, Contact Wire Renewals and Civil and Electrical Substation works.

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

I am looking for people to mentor who are open minded and have learning at the front of mind when building their career. I am also always looking for like-minded individuals to share ideas with and learn together. I can offer a strong mix of private and public experience across many facets of Civil Engineering Design and Construction, Construction Labouring and Engineering Management. I lead a strong culture of performance, accountability, innovation, ownership, pride, learning and excellence. I am looking to spread this culture across the transport cluster. I understand the work my team leads and strongly integrate in what we do. I enjoy mentoring and helping others succeed.

Spend time with my family (my wife and 2 kids) at the beach or other fun activity. Soccer, golf, basketball or any sports. Travel back to Europe. Sadly also doing my job well. Enjoy Sydney Social life.

Discipline: Business

Location: Various - Sydney CBD and Inner West

Contact email or number: david.monti2@transport.nsw.gov.au or 0418 418 647

Job title: Manager Culture

Work experience: I have been at Transport for almost 4 years, working across a number of People and Culture projects including Culture and Engagement (current), Diversity and Inclusion, Change and Capability.. Prior to this, I spent a number of years in Management Consulting in Australia. I was also a High Performance Swimming Coach for a number of years, coaching National and International athletes in Australia and the UK.

I offer my experience from a diverse career to date and I've had some great (and not so great!) experiences in my career and learnt equally as much from both. I am passionate about developing other young professionals, particularly around work life balance, identifying career paths and positioning for future roles.

Discipline: Business

Location: Dubbo

Contact email or number: chantelle.rymer@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Shared Services Officer

Work experience: Ensuring accurate and timely purchasing, working in hired plant and other transactional administrative services, respond to enquiries regarding requisition creation and approval, goods and service receipting and returns and runs regular reports as required. Work in a team environment, assisting and complementing the work of others in the Shared Services Delivery Centre in ensuring that the customer receives the best service possible.

Discipline: Business

Location: 18 Lee Street, Haymarket, 2000

Contact email or number: 0425 223 151

Job title: Manager, Policy

Work experience: I've been with Transport since mid-2012, working on a range of policy roles and priority issues, from heavy vehicles to congestion, future mobility and national policy. I was involved in Transport's first digital accelerator program for Mobility as a Service. As a manager in Transport, I've mentored a number of graduates through the Talent Program, and enjoy the experience of seeing new talent grow and learn in our fascinating area within the organisation. Prior to working at transport, I worked in the private sector as well as in a central agency interstate.

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

In being a mentor, I can offer advice and assistance to mentees who wish to develop strategic thinking or policy skills, or who wish to grow into a management role. I can offer assistance on career planning and progression, helping graduates to envision their ideal job and helping them map how to get there.

What do you like to do in your own time? (Hobbies)

I like reading, watching comedy and meeting friends. I also run a small business on the side, and have launched a tech app recently.

Discipline: Business

Location: Burwood

Contact email or number: Gabrielle.Puskas@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Talent Development Specialist (People and Culture)

Work experience: I'm a passionate Talent Development Specialist, working in the new People and Culture division. As part of my role, I partner with stakeholders to seek specialist advice and successfully deliver projects in the Entry Level Talent Programs space. My team and I just delivered a revamped Induction Program for our new Graduates, Cadets, Scholars and VET Cadets. We included an Amazing Race, Hackathon, Panels and Guest Speakers. I have extensive experience in project management in the areas of culture and engagement, diversity and inclusion, digital and internal communications. Prior to this, I worked as a Project Officer and Graduate at Transport. I have also worked with Westpac and Pacific Magazines as an Intern.

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

I'm currently a Mentor for another Graduate and really enjoy sharing my experience on the program and my public and private sector experience. I would like to continue to offer advice, knowledge and experience, and also, be an enthusiastic Mentor.

What do you like to do in your own time? (Hobbies)

I enjoy spending time with my beautiful partner, family and friends, playing netball and watching Brooklyn Nine Nine. I also care for two fur babies - a dog called Marley and a rabbit called Bambi.

Discipline: Engineering

Location: Chatswood

Contact email or number: terry.niemeier@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Lead Electrical Engineer

Work experience: I have recently joined Transport in the Asset Standards Authority. I spent 10 years in the Electricity Supply Industry, in various roles from technical to corporate management.

General career discussions and advice, or just a chat over coffee. I would be looking to work with someone who is both down to earth, and who is ambitious.

Discipline: Business

Location: Lee St, Chippendale

Contact email or number: benjamin.hague@transport.nsw.gov.au

Job title: Senior Contract Manager

Work experience:

- Contract Management in rail, bus and OnDemand Transport

- Consultant with Big Four Accounting firm

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer?

- Advanced contract management skills

- Presentation and communication skills

- Negotiation skills

I offer an opportunity to be mentored by someone who has worked in government and non-government sectors.

Discipline: Business

Location: Petersham

Contact email or number: 0481 011 337

Job title: Reform Lead Learning and Development, People and Culture

Work experience: After 8 years in the private sector, I moved to Transport for NSW where I have been working for 5 years. After a range of operational and people management roles, I am currently the Reform Lead within the Learning and Development Branch of TfNSW where the focus is managing a large strategic programs and smaller continuous improvement projects to help people in their day to day work by making things easier. I enjoy managing a team and helping them do the best job they can.

What are you looking for in a mentee? What can you offer? I've been lucky enough to have some great mentors in my career and would like to do the same. I can offer help and advice to a mentee unsure of their next career next steps, share ideas and talk through challenges. I am looking for a mentee who is enthusiastic and wanting to learn.