Lance Hockridge - Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
FCILT, FAIM, MAICD
Lance joined QR Limited (now Aurizon Operations Limited) as Chief Executive Officer in 2007 with extensive experience in the transportation and heavy industrial sectors in Australia and the United States.
During a 30 year career with The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (now BHP Billiton Limited),and BlueScope Steel, he was a member of the leadership team that led to BlueScope Steel’s successful demerger from BHP and the creation of a new publicly listed company.
In 2005 Lance was appointed President of BlueScope Steel’s North American operations where he led a major turnaround in safety, production and financial performance. Other roles at BHP included Human Resources and Industrial Relations, General Manager of BHP Transport, head of Long Products Business and President of Industrial Markets.
Keith Neate – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Keith has extensive experience and expertise as a chief financial officer (CFO) for listed companies in a range of industries.
He was the CFO at Virgin Blue for eight years, and prior to that spent fifteen years working at KPMG in a variety of senior accountancy roles.
Michael Carter – Executive Vice President , Network
B Eng. B. Bus. MAICD, AFAIM
Michael has broad experience in leadership roles over a 25-year career in the rail industry, including freight, passenger and heavy haul rail operations.
He was Advisor to the London Underground during its restructuring and is Director of the Rail Industry Safety Standards Board, the Australian Logistics Council and the Australasian Rail Association. Michael is also a former member of Union of International Railways World Executive Council.
Mike Franczak – Executive Vice President, Operations
BSc, Geology (Honors), MBA (Ivey School of Business)
Mike has had a 25 year career with Canada's second largest railroad Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway Ltd, most recently in the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer.
He was responsible for all aspects of Canadian Pacific’s rail operations over its 23,650 kilometres of track, including network and production management, field operations, engineering, mechanical, service design, asset management, intermodal operations, safety and regulatory affairs.
Mike joined CP’s operations team in 1987 after working as a geologist in the Canadian exploration industry.
Alex Kummant – Executive Vice President, Strategy
BSC (Mechanical Engineering), ME (Manufacturing) MBA (Stanford)
Alex has more than 25 years experience in the North American industrial sector, including senior roles with US railways.
He was Chief Executive Officer at the US national passenger railroad, Amtrak, and Vice President in several roles at Union Pacific, the world’s largest freight railroad.
Ken Lewsey – Executive Vice President, Business Development
BBus
Ken has over 20 years’ experience in the logistics, steel distribution and manufacturing industries. He has an extensive background in leading large and complex business groups. His experience covers strategic planning, marketing, business development, business integration and leadership of senior executive teams.
Ken was previously CEO of ARG, the bulk freight subsidiary of Aurizon Operations Limited, and has also held roles with Brambles including Managing Director of Cleanaway Industrial and Regional Director of Brambles Industrial Services.
Ken has also held senior and general management roles within the steel industry, including Smorgon Steel and BHP Steel.
Greg Pringle – Executive Vice President, Enterprise Services
BA (Politics and Economics), LLB, Post Grad Dip.Ind Relations, MBA(UQ)
Greg has a depth of senior management experience and knowledge acquired through a diverse professional and business career in which he held various senior executive roles in governance, risk management, law and compliance.
He is currently a serving member on the Board of Trustees of the Prudential Regulator to the Travel industry (TCF).
Greg was previously the Group Company Secretary for Flight Centre Ltd and is also a past Magistrate, senior lawyer and strategic risk management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
John Stephens - Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
BBus
John has more than 25 years’ experience in industrial relations, human resources and other senior management positions. His most recent role before joining Aurizon was as Vice President Human Resources with BHP Billiton.
During his time at BHP Billiton John held a range of senior HR roles in Australia, Indonesia and Canada. With extensive experience in the mining sector, he has a strong understanding of Aurizon’s key markets.
Greg Robinson - Executive Vice President, Business Sustainability
BBus
Greg has had significant domestic and international experience in manufacturing and distribution businesses. He has had experience in driving business improvement and has a background which includes performing senior Business Leadership, Business Integration, Finance and Business Development roles.
Greg was previously General Manager of Lysaght Australia, a Division of BlueScope Steel and was also Regional General Manager Butler Manufacturing in the United States. Prior to performing these roles in BlueScope Steel Greg spent 20 years with BHP in BHP's Minerals and Petroleum businesses.
He has forged a career around customer service excellence and was recently awarded the CEO of the Year Award (Public Sector) for the Customer Service Institute of Australia