Dr Peter Preston, Chairman
Dr Peter Preston has been a professional scientist for almost 40 years and involved in the research and analysis of Defence operations for more than 20 years. Dr Preston holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland, a Master of Science and PhD from the University of Melbourne. From 1987 until his retirement in 2000, Dr Preston held a number of senior positions across a range of divisions within the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). He chaired the Defence Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd (1994-97) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures Ltd (2003-07). Dr Preston is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Roger Lough AM,  Deputy Chairman
Dr Roger Lough has been a Defence Scientist for over 45 years.  He has a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Adelaide. He originally worked in rocket propulsion and then guided weapons. He led several Divisions in the Defence Science and Technology Organization (DSTO) from 1987 to 1999, before becoming First Assistant Secretary Science Policy in DSTO HQ.  In 2001 he became Director of the DSTO Laboratory at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne and, in 2003, Chief Defence Scientist and CEO of DSTO. He retired from the public service in July 2008. He is a fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and holds a graduate diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2009.

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Nicholson AO, Director
Peter Nicholson is the Head of Government Relations at BAE Systems Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Public Administration from Montgomery University in the US. In 2001 he retired from the Royal Australian Air Force after 33 years service. Mr Nicholson is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is immediate past president of the Australian Division of the Society. He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, Australian Institute of Management, Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Dr John Best, Director
Dr Best is the Vice President of Technology, Research & Development at Thales Australia (formerly ADI Ltd). Dr Best joined ADI Limited in 2003 and was appointed to his current role upon the formation of Thales Australia. He has overall responsibility for the technical capability of the company, which encompasses technical strategy, research and development, innovation, engineering process, engineering development and technical audits. Dr Best joined ADI following a 15-year career with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Physics from the University of Queensland, a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from the University of Adelaide.

Professor John Norrish, Director
John Norrish is Professor of Materials, Welding and Joining at the University of Wollongong. He has a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy and a Master of Science in Welding Technology, and has worked in welding research for almost 40 years. Prof Norrish is author of Advanced Welding Processes. This book was originally published by the Institute of Physics in 1992. It was revised and re-published in 2006. Prof Norrish has more than 150 publications in refereed journals and international conferences and is the recipient of many awards including the international E.O. Paton Prize for a lifetime of contribution to welding technology.

Mr Tony Quick, Director
Tony Quick was appointed to be the Director of the new Enterprise Connect Defence Industry Innovation Centre (DIIC) in July 2009. The DIIC focuses on improving the competitiveness of Australian SMEs, primarily through productivity improvements and assistance to access the latest research. Mr Quick has spent most of his career in general management, international business development and program management within the aerospace and defence industries in the UK before immigrating to Australia in 2000. Mr Quick was Director and General Manager of GKN Aerospace Engineering Services from 2001 to 2009, a company heavily involved in the JSF program. Mr Quick is Chairman of the Design Victoria Advisory Board and is a member of the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council. Mr Quick is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at RMIT.

Professor David St. John, Director
David St. John is Chair in Materials Processing and Manufacturing and Director, Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM). He has a PhD in Physical Metallurgy from Queensland University and has worked as a lecturer in Australian and Canadian universities. Prof St. John was inaugural Chair in Solidification Technology at the University of Queensland in 1994 and joined the newly-established CRC in Alloy and Solidification Technology. He was appointed CEO at CAST Metals Manufacturing in 2003 and CAST CRC in 2005. Prof St. John is member of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, the Australian Die Casting Association, Materials Australia and the Australian Foundry Institute. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.