Last year saw CSA lose three of our top sales and technical support people. Jason Gunders left to start his own business, Gavin Shaw has moved to our R&D department, and Corinne Malot had a second child and is now going to spend some time being a full-time mum.
It has been hard on our remaining sales and tech support AE’s to carry the workload. We greatly appreciate the wonderful effort put in by Simon Leeds, Dave Boadle, Gavin Feather and Jeeva Prakasan who have been burning the midnight oil trying to keep up. But help is on the way.
Geoff Melville joined our ranks in November 2009 and after an intensive training period, is now putting his shoulder to the wheel and gradually supporting his own clients.
Geoff has a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. With work experience in the hospitality industry in Thredbo, Melbourne, Townsville and Cairns, Geoff also had a stint at secondary school teaching at the Ryan Catholic College in Townsville and the Marist College in Emerald. Geoff came to CSA’s attention while working at an electrical wholesalers in Townsville. His recreational activities include acoustic /classical guitar, most sports (especially those involving snow and water), and outdoor sports such as camping, hiking and fishing. Geoff’s strong people skills and desire to please the customer will no doubt make him popular with our clients.
Our most recent female AE appointee not only comes highly qualified, but is also a real-life action woman. Having been raised in the UK, Sue-Ann Watson has completed a B.SC (Hons) Biology, an M.Sc. in Oceanography and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology.
At various stages throughout her studies, Sue-Ann has worked as an animal keeper at Woburn Safari park, a television researcher for the BBC Natural History Unit and a research assistant for the National Oceanography Centre. Additional exciting expeditions in which Sue-Ann has participated include fieldwork at the Rothera Research Station where she did Antarctic scuba diving, deep ocean sampling aboard a trawler around the Crozet Islands, and as a volunteer on a six-week conservation project in South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sue Ann is a certified PADI Divemaster, a competition winning snow skier, and also a NQ wildlife carer.
Sue-Ann’s British heritage adds to CSA’s already eclectic mix of Samoan, Chinese, Zimbabwean, Indian and Australian nationals.
Also joining our AE support / sales team is Gavin Hewitt. Gavin studied a dual degree of Bachelor Science and Secondary Education where his studies in science focused primarily on zoological and ecological sciences as well as chemistry.
During his years of study, Gavin was exposed to many different applications of sensors and probes, which sparked his interest in how they work and what they can be used for.
Gavin has a passion for all things science-related as well as for helping people – both essential attributes for a great AE. Outside of work, Gavin is a keen fisherman who also enjoys bushwalking, hiking and water skiing. Prior to joining CSA, Gavin was employed by the Queensland Department of Education as a supply teacher, on call to fill in daily at the many high schools in Townsville.
Gavin believes that his new position at CSA will give him the means to help people match their needs to a product, and in turn to play his part in making a positive difference in the world.
Sue-Ann and Gavin started with CSA on the same day and are undergoing intensive training together. If the first few weeks are any indication, they will both be valuable assets to our sales and support team.