Mark Hodge, CEO
Dr Mark Hodge was appointed inaugural DMTC Chief Executive Officer in June 2008. A professional engineer with a strong background in innovation and technology management, Dr Hodge holds a BEng (Hons) and a PhD (Engineering) from Monash University. He has completed executive management qualifications at the the Ohio State University and the University of Melbourne. In October 2008, he won the Monash Materials Engineering Alumni of the Year award. From 2005-2008, Dr Hodge was Chief Executive of Australian Aerospace and Defence Innovations Ltd (AADI) where he regularly engaged international and Australian defence sector stakeholders. Prior to AADI, Dr Hodge led the Victorian Government’s commercialisation team in developing a new technology commercialisation support program. He spent five years as Senior Engineer and Director of Research and Development for METSS Corporation, a private Defence-sector technology development company in the US and has lectured in materials technology and mechanical engineering at Monash and Victoria universities respectively. Dr Hodge has authored several US patents and is widely published in journals, trade publications and conference proceedings.

Helen Dowdell, Company Secretary & Business Manager
Mrs Helen Dowdell has extensive experience in business and financial management. Her skills in the areas of accounting, governance and business practices are fully utilised in her dual role at DMTC as Company Secretary and Business Manager. She is a qualified accountant who holds a BBus from Victoria University and is a member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants. Previous management roles in the area of finance and related areas include Australian Stem Cell Centre, CRC for microTechnology, National Electricity Market Management Company and ASP Ship Management.

Dr Matt Dargusch, Technology Manager
Dr Matt Dargusch started at DMTC in the role of Technology Manager in late 2008. He has extensive engineering experience in both industry and university roles in the area of product and process development and holds a BSc (Hons), PhD and Grad Cert in Technology Management from the University of Queensland and BEd from Queensland University of Technology. Dr Dargusch is the former manager of Sustainability and Aerospace Programs within the CAST Cooperative Research centre where he earned a proven track record in delivering high impact R&D outcomes. His work is published in numerous industry journals and other publications.

Viktor Verijenko, Operations & Education Manager
Dr Viktor Verijenko holds a Masters degree from Kiev Transport University, a PhD from the Kiev Civil Engineering Institute and a Doctor of Science degree from Kiev Polytechnic Institute and State University. Specialising in the fields of structural mechanics and solid mechanics/composite materials, Viktor was involved in several defence industry-related projects between 1977 and 1991, becoming one of the youngest professors in the former Soviet Union. In 1991, Viktor joined the University of Natal, in Durban, South Africa where he ultimately founded and directed the Centre of Composite and Smart Materials and Structures and became Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering. Viktor also established an engineering consultancy focused on research and technology in defence, mining, civil engineering and transport. In 2007, Viktor moved to Australia to take up the role of Research and Technology Manager at Composites CRC. He was instrumental in writing a research proposal for the successful DMTC bid and in setting up a research program on the application of composite materials. In May 2009, Viktor joined DMTC as Operations and Education Manager.

Bronwynne McPherson, Office Manager
Miss Bronwynne McPherson is responsible for the day-to-day smooth running of the DMTC headquarters. Her wide ranging experience in executive and event management roles adds enormous value to her administrative duties at DMTC. Before starting at DMTC in September 2008, Miss McPherson supported the DSTO Strategic Director responsible for implementing the DFTC program in the role of Executive Assistant.