Our Team

Tom Chapman

Technical Director

Tom began his career with a Physics degree from London University followed by many years in R&D and product design in a wide range of engineering disciplines. After graduating from London University, Tom spent 2 years completing a Management Training Program with TI, a major British Engineering conglomerate. During that time he worked on researching dry gas seals and designed the key components for the stern tube seal of the Cunard Cruise Liner the QEII. Many years working with Cummins Engine Company in the UK and later in USA and Latin America provided a wide range of experiences in technical service, noise control and finance. In the following 23 years with Solar Turbines he ran Customer Service in Europe and N. Africa, Technical Services and Package Engineering based in San Diego and finally ended his time at Solar as MD of Solar Turbines Australia. Since retiring from Solar Tom has worked in a consulting role for Siemens, EDL and also privately. He is a specialist in vibration and condition monitoring and has a wealth of practical experience in systems troubleshooting.

Martin Whiteley

Business Director

Martin is a financial services executive, with 24 years experience in international banking. His most recent role was General Manager in the risk function of National Australia Bank, leading a global team of 50 people with specific responsibility for treasury activity. His skills include debt structuring, investment strategy, cash management and mitigation of financial risk. Martin also has a reputation for dealing with complexity and delivering major change initiatives. He has successfully delivered large data and technology projects, and used Kaizen techniques to improve process maturity and reduce costs. Martin had many years at Barclays Bank and HSBC and also worked for SunGard Systems and GEC Telecommunications. He is a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a committee member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals.

Ray Taylor

Engineering Consultant

Ray’s engineering qualifications include a Diploma of Mechanical engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering.

Ray’s engineering career started at Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) where he worked in a variety of roles, including special engineering investigations such as attempting to isolate and rectify the source of engine vibrations and the preparation of modifications to allow instrumentation to be fitted to investigate compressor blade flutter. Ray also spent time working in the test cells where he was responsible for analysing and verifying engine test data.

In 1976 CAC was seeking to expand it’s role in the field of Industrial Gas Turbines and Ray was seconded to Rolls-Royce Industrial Division for six months, receiving intensive training in all aspects of industrial gas turbines and package design.

In 1979 Ray joined Solar Turbines at a time when the company was seeking to consolidate it’s position in the regional market by expanding the overhaul operation which at the time was sub-contracted to CAC. One of his first tasks was to commission the Saturn test skid thus providing the stepping stone to an expanded overhaul operation unique in the region. This was followed by expansion of overhaul capability to include boost compressors and the Centaur 40 product line.

Ray was also involved in engineering support to the field operation including vibration analysis, borescope inspections and engineering investigations in support of condition monitoring programs.

In 1996 Solar opened it’s own overhaul facility and regional headquarters. Ray was closely involved in the planning of this facility and subsequently became manager of the overhaul facility, continuing in this role, as well as providing engineering support for field operations until 2009.

Paul Novacco

Engineering Consultant

Paul holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Victoria University and has over 40 years of experience in the Oil and Gas, Power Generation and Marine industries.

Paul provides a mature and diverse mix of technical expertise, specialising in rotating equipment. Working with both major oil companies and engineering contractors, he has a deep understanding of the objectives and solutions required to provide safe, specific, on-time and within client budget.

Paul started in the Oil & Gas Industry as a Design Engineer before spending 10+ years in operations support, maintenance management and project engineering working for companies such as ExxonMobil, Santos and Woodside and he has managed teams responsible for maintaining major offshore rotating equipment, maximizing equipment availability during times of high oil production.

Paul has provided expertise and advice to companies such as; Caltex, Shell, Jemena, TRUenergy, Petronas, PTT, Qenos, Woodside, BHP Billiton, QGC, CNOOC, Anzon for industry applications ranging from gas plants, refineries, offshore platforms and FPSO’s through to pipeline compressor stations.

While his main expertise is rotating equipment, Paul has a broad range of skills that covering disciplines such as process engineering, instrumentation, electrical, civil and structural, quality control, project management, computing, planning and cost control, as well as all phases of project delivery from concept development, studies, front end engineering design, detailed design, plant commissioning, equipment start-up, performance testing, troubleshooting operational problems, maintenance management and due diligence.

Paul is a Chartered Professional Engineer and registered as a Mechanical Engineer on the Australian National Engineering Register, Professional Engineer of Queensland and a member of ASME.

Craig Boston

Technical Manager SA

Craig began his career with Schlumberger in 1998 as an apprentice diesel mechanic at Santos' Moomba oil and gas fields until the completion of his apprenticeship, Craig's time with Schlumberger then extended internationally, providing exposure to both on and offshore environments. Craig's introduction to Power Generation came in 2004 when he joined Wood Group Heavy Industrial Turbines as a Field Engineer before moving into commissioning and Power Station start ups within the Oil & Gas industry working on the Santos GLNG and Chevron's Wheatstone prefects.

Craig specialises in GE frame units and reciprocating power generation and has managed multi-national teams, in some of the world's most hostile, remote locations. Isolated work environments have enabled Craig to learn the intricacies of machinery and problem solve some of the most complex issues.

Craig will manage the SA territory for AJSS.

Colin Crockford

Technical Manager WA

Colin began his career in the 1983 as an Apprentice Airframe/Engine Fitter on British Military Helicopters in the UK. He qualified as a dual Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer on commercial jets before migrating to Australia in 1994 and has since served in a number of senior roles in the Oil and Gas and Aerospace Industries before moving into Power Generation in 2007.

With extensive experience with Aero-derivative and Solar Gas Turbines as well as reciprocating generators, he has worked in a number of remote and challenging locations in Western Australia and Senegal, West Africa. Colin is highly experienced in Commissioning, O&M and management of all power generation assets with a strong focus on Integrated Predictive Maintenance Techniques and Condition Monitoring.

Colin provides a wealth of experience and technical expertise to assist clients to maximise the reliability and cost effectiveness across all facets of Power Generation.