Board & Management

The ACA is made up of separate operating and governance arms to ensure the best managerial and oversight practices are employed. The ACA’s Constitution determines this separation of powers. These complimentary arms are key to covering all current and future objectives of the ACA.

The Board is the central body of oversight, setting the direction of the ACA and ensuring fiduciary controls. The ACA Board is elected by the ACA Council, which draws two Councillors from each Branch of the ACA. To guarantee transparency and accountability within the ACA, the ACA Board and the ACA Board both have limited terms and set responsibilities with regular reporting to the Membership. The ACA Board and the ACA Council have been integral functions of the Association to continue its operations in a robust and responsive matter.

As the managerial arm of the ACA, the staffing of the head office covers day-to-day commitments of the Association. These include the roles of Chief Executive Officer, marketing and communications, secretarial duties, training and support, membership and events, Conference management, policy and documentation, and technical support. These roles fulfil the everyday operations of the ACA and ensure that the benefits of the membership and direction of the Board are accomplished.

Meet the Board Members

KINGSLEY BROWN

Board Chair

Kingsley Brown will be well known to members, having served previously on the ACA Board. With an engineering background, Kingsley is an experienced corrosion engineering and protective coatings specialist, with expertise in the fields of durability, asset remediation, materials, cathodic protection and continuous improvement across a broad range of industries.

SCOTT GAEBLER

Vice Chair

Scott Gaebler has a background with 30 years of mining experience, with an understanding of oil and gas processes and a diverse range of skills and expertise in the sector. He holds a Master of Business Administration and is currently the mining and infrastructure manager for a Western Australian polyurethane systems company.

DEAN FERGUSON

Dean Ferguson, General Manager of Infracorr Consulting, is a Materials Engineer and Chemist specialising in the durability and remediation of civil infrastructure. Dean also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Monash University Business School. Dean has been a member of the ACA since 2008 and an ACA director since 2018. Dean served as the ACA Board Chair from 2021-2023, and is currently a member of the Board’s Governance Committee.

WAYNE BURNS

Wayne Burns has been a Corrosion engineer for 50 years beginning with 28 years at Wilson Walton International and most recently over 22 years at Anode Engineering. A Life Member of the ACA, he has held office in all branch committee positions for over 40 years. Wayne is passionate about giving back to the corrosion community. As a founder, former director and frequent contributor to the ACA Foundation, he believes that young people are the future of our association and hopes to continue his work in empowering young through his current role as Chair of the Membership Committee.

JAMES CHERRY

James Cherry is a non-executive director and corporate advisor. His career has spanned intellectual property and corporate management bringing new technology and products to market. James also has a long-term side interest in corrosion. James originally qualified with a law degree and a science degree, followed by leadership qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Harvard Business School. James joined the Board in 2023 as an Independent Director.

MADELINE LAURENSON

Madeline Laurenson is a Civil Engineer with a background in the water industry. Madeline also holds a Master of Commerce. She has worked for large and small organisations both in the public and private sectors. After a long career, with the last eleven years working for Engineers Australia, Madeline has recently retired. Madeline joined the ACA board in November 2022 as one of the Independent Directors.

ALEXANDRA SIDORENKO

Dr Alexandra Sidorenko, GAICD, Managing Director of Argyle Consulting, is a professional economist with more than twenty years of experience and leadership in industry, regulation, consulting, and academia across infrastructure (electricity, water), education, health, and other services. Alexandra holds a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University and a PhD in Probability Theory and Statistics from Kyiv State University. Alexandra has been a member of ACA since 2021 and a Board Member since 2022.

NICK BIRBILIS

Nick Birbilis has been working in the area of corrosion since 1999 and has been actively involved in ACA operations, including as a co-founder of the ACA YCG, and the responsible Branch member for launching the Brian Cherry Award. Nick has diverse experience having served as the NACE/AMPP Research Chair, and in numerous NACE/AMPP roles from publications to awards. He has also served in a number of society roles for the Electrochemical Society and International Society of Electrochemistry (including a focus on diversity and equity, therein).