Our People

John Langoulant AO, Chief Executive

John Langoulant is the Chief Executive of Oakajee Port and Rail. He was the Chief Executive of private investment group Australian Capital Equity between 2008 and 2010.

He has held the positions of Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and Chief Executive of the Western Australian Government Treasury department.

He is also a Senator at the University of Western Australia, Chairman of the Board of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, member of the Boards of The Western Australian Ballet and Leadership WA, member of the Committee for Perth and member of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

With more than 35 years experience in government and the private sector, Mr Langoulant was appointed to lead OPR in January 2010.

Alwyn Vorster, Chief Development Officer

As Chief Development Officer Alwyn Vorster is responsible for business planning, the project development framework, and for the customer related direction of the project.

Alwyn has 20-years mining industry experience based in South Africa, Singapore and Australia in a variety of technical and commercial roles. In his most recent role pre-OPR, he was regional manager for Rio Tinto Iron Ore, coordinating all sales and shipping matters into the Asian market. He was also a member of the Channar (Rio Tinto/Sinosteel) joint venture management committee. While employed by Kumba Resources, Alwyn was involved in numerous joint venture projects in technical, business development and sales related roles.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Geology, an MBA, a Master of Science in Mineral Economics, and an Executive Management Program.

Geoff Cowie, Project Director

Geoff Cowie joined OPR in August 2009. As Project Director he brings together the many design, engineering and development requirements for the Oakajee port and rail infrastructure project and works closely with Project Management Study Contractor WorleyParsons.

Mr Cowie has more than 35 years experience in major resource development projects in Australia, China, India and Africa with a proven track record in developing and delivering major projects. His experience includes work on the Koniambo Nickel Project for Xstrata, Rio Tinto’s Marandoo and Hope Downs expansion, development of BHP Billiton’s Pilbara operations and infrastructure projects such as heavy haulage rail developments in Western Australia.

Mr Cowie’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering, University of Tasmania and Graduate Diploma in Municipal Engineering, Warrnambool Institute of Technology, Victoria.

David (Jim) Netterfield, Operations Director

Jim Netterfield joined OPR in August 2009. As Operations Director, he plays a vital role in completing OPR’s Bankable Feasibility Study and ultimately ensuring the efficient operation of one of the largest greenfields port and rail projects in Western Australia.

Mr Netterfield has extensive experience in port and rail operations gained in his previous roles as Manager Port Operations and Vice President Rail and Ports with BHP Billiton, and Manager Operations, Dampier at Rio Tinto. In both roles, he oversaw increases in throughput and efficiencies across complex logistics chains.

Mr Netterfield’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Queensland, an Associate Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety Management and a Mine Manager’s Certificate (NT).

Ben Hayward, General Manager Finance

Ben Hayward joined OPR in 2008. Mr Hayward has 10 years professional experience as a financial analyst involved in the evaluation, financing and execution of significant infrastructure and resource projects for Western Australian companies.

Mr Hayward has a strong experience in the valuation and financing of regulated infrastructure assets in Australia and overseas. More recently he was involved in the financing of a several offshore oil production projects.

Mr Hayward holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons).

Phil McKeiver, General Counsel

Phil McKeiver joined OPR as General Counsel and Company Secretary in September 2009. Mr McKeiver has previously worked in government law, for major law firms both in Australia and the UK, and more recently as a senior infrastructure lawyer with Telstra Corporation.

Mr McKeiver has experience in advising, and negotiating with, a range of government departments and statutory authorities, which stand OPR in good stead in navigating the complex task ahead.

In addition, Mr McKeiver has extensive experience in supporting complex network infrastructure projects, including key rail projects such as Melbourne’s Southern Cross Redevelopment and Britain’s Channel Tunnel Rail Link and large scale telecommunications infrastructure projects for Telstra.

Mr McKeiver’s qualifications include a Masters Degree in Law (Hons), University of Oxford, and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Economics, University of Queensland.

Jane Macey, Engineering Manager for Port Landside

Jane Macey joined Oakajee Port and Rail in December 2009 and has a key role in the project’s feasibility studies.

Ms Macey’s experience covers a range of engineering design and operational management roles in the resources, manufacturing and heavy engineering sectors. Before joining OPR, Ms Macey worked in Operations at Rio Tinto’s Dampier iron ore port in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Ms Macey’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Western Australia.

Bill Carlton, Engineer Manager - Port Marine

Bill Carlton has over 35 years professional engineering experience, the majority being in planning, design and project management of ports and associated infrastructure. Mr Carlton has also been involved in studies on a number of iron ore port projects in Western Australia and internationally.

As a highly skilled infrastructure engineer with extensive experience in the resources and bulk transport sectors, Mr Carlton has had management roles in major port/infrastructure works in a number of countries. His experience ranges from planning to project implementation and site supervision.

Mr Carlton holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Warwick, UK.

Eric Englund, Engineer Manager - Rail

Eric Englund joined OPR in 2007 having been Manager – Transport Systems with AECOM Maunsell. Mr Englund has over 25 years professional engineering experience, the majority being in planning, design and project management of railways, ports and industrial infrastructure, including numerous studies for the iron ore and coal industries.

Mr Englund is a highly skilled infrastructure engineer with extensive experience in the resources and bulk transport sectors, including the latest techniques for simulation of transport logistics and its use in value engineering and project optimisation. His experience ranges from planning to project implementation.

Mr Englund holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Western Australia and is a Chartered Professional Engineer.

Kim Pervan, Communication & Public Relations Manager

Kim Pervan has managed several high risk and high profile projects with sound experience in both private enterprise and government.

Ms Pervan’s previous role as Superintendent Communications and Community Relations for BHP Billiton placed her at the interface of site-management and the Port Hedland community. Her experience includes consultation for the environmental approvals required for growth, managing the growth impacts and mitigation strategy and leadership of HSEC standard 7 (communication, consultation and participation) across the Nelson Point site in WA’s Pilbara.

Drawing on her extensive experience, Ms Pervan’s role at Oakajee Port and Rail is broad-based, and includes integrated communication strategy development, community engagement, community investment, public relations, Government relations and consultation.

Damien McAlinden, Manager Environment

Damien McAlinden joined OPR in April 2010 to lead a team that is responsible for obtaining environmental approvals and implementing the project’s environmental management systems.

Mr McAlinden has more than ten years experience in the government and private sectors. He has a thorough knowledge of the various government approvals required for major projects and has led multi-disciplinary teams to manage and implement approvals strategies, budgets and environmental management systems to support major project development.

Prior to joining OPR Mr McAlinden was responsible for managing government approvals and environment for CITIC Pacific Mining’s Cape Preston port and iron ore mine project in the Pilbara.

Mr McAlinden’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) in Environmental Science from Murdoch University, WA.

Amanda Le Moine, Approvals & Government Liaison Manager

Amanda Le Moine joined OPR in July 2006. She has experience working in both the private resources sector and the Western Australian Government.

As a project manager at the Department of Industry and Resources, Ms Le Moine was responsible for the administration of state agreements and the facilitation of approvals for major resource projects across the state.

Ms Le Moine has a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development.

Peter Spalding, Regional Manager

With 14 years experience in mining and exploration, Peter Spalding joined OPR in 2007, and is the company’s mid-west regional manager, based at Geraldton.

Prior to working with OPR, Mr Spalding’s previous project experience included major iron ore project developments in the Pilbara, oil and gas exploration, and brown fields mineral sands and gold operations. Roles included environmental and safety management.

Mr Spalding brings a broad skill base to his work at OPR, consulting with landowners, local communities and stakeholders about the project. With experience gained in mining, rail and port operations, overseeing contractors working in the mid-west is a key aspect of his role with OPR.

Mr Spalding holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Curtin University and returned to live in the mid-west 10 years ago.