Our People
VE has a proven track record and is committed to delivering high quality and timely services to our regional, national and international clients. The involvement of our experts in the fields of water quality management, ecology and ecotoxicology, allows for seamless design, implementation and execution to address complex environmental problems.
|
|
Managing DirectorDr Felicity MelvilleBachelor of Science(Hons), PhD · A founding Director of VE · Specialist in HSEQ systems and staff/project management ·15 years of experience in environmental assessment particularly intertidal ecosystems · Certified Environmental and Quality Management System auditor· Previous involvement with CSIRO and NSW EPA· Published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles in international publications |
|
Senior Environmental SpecialistDr Ralph AlquezarBachelor of Science first class honours, PhD · 15 years of experience in marine ecology/ecotoxicology/community assessment · Managed several regional, national and international projects · Skilled GIS · Qualified Rescue and Research diver · Deputy Director at CEM, CQUniversity Australia 2008 – 2011 · Published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles |
|
|
|
Senior Environmental OfficerDr Mark JensenBachelor of Aquaculture (Hons) PhD and VE Dive team member · Several years’ experience in consultancy undertaking field work ranging from water quality to habitat surveys, sediment sampling, aquaculture lease baseline surveys and ADCP · Post doc position at IMAS researching lobster aquaculture and publishing several peer reviewed papers |
|
Senior Environmental Officer/R&D ManagerMichael ShanahanVE ANZ role: maintain VE ANZ’s fleet of telemetered monitoring equipment; undertake field work on land and at sea | Qualifications: Bachelor of Science (Honours); Cert IV in Hyperbaric Operations; Cert II in Maritime Operations | Previous experience: ReefHQ Aquarium, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), Australian Institute of Marine Science; a NATA-accredited water testing lab |
|
|
|
Senior Environmental OfficerAnna SkillingtonBachelor Science (Hons.) & dual separate Masters degrees in coursework and research, specialising in contaminant uptake and seagrass · Many years’ experience working in varied environmental roles in both industry and research · Field sampling in a wide variety of marine environments · Published several peer reviewed papers and contributes significantly to high level report writing at VE. |
|
Marine Operations ManagerJames HaymanBachelor of Environmental Management – University of the Sunshine Coast · VE dive team member · Involved in a range of field work including water quality monitoring, mangrove and coral surveys as well as deployment and retrieval of surface and benthic instrumentation · All round project support. |
|
|
|
Environmental SpecialistCarsten WolffBachelor Science (Hons) (PhD to submit) · Marine invertebrate taxonomist/ecologist and ADAS 1 VE dive member · Led national and international biodiversity surveys, research expeditions of shallow and deep-water marine fauna (0–3000m) · Lead Curator AIMS- Authored approximately 30 international, peer-reviewed journal articles since 1997 – Instrumental in the design and construction of VE telemetered monitoring equipment. |
|
Environmental SpecialistMelanie AlpenCert III in Laboratory Skills · Previously laboratory leading hand technician at ALS COAL · At VE, looks after environmental sampling of diverse sample types · Field work specialist. |
|
|
|
Trainee Environmental SpecialistCarys HanningUndertake vessel fieldwork with senior staff, including sampling and buoy maintenance · Assist with onshore equipment maintenance · Provide general lab support · Previously worked in Environment and Conservation team for Gladstone Regional Council |
|
Office ManagerMelissa KalbitzMelissa has a wealth of experience and invaluable organisational skills. She has been a business owner herself, running both the store front and behind-the-scenes of a local Pizza Hut for five years. Prior to that, she worked as an absentee officer at Gladstone State High School. At VE, Melissa keeps everything running smoothly, from entering projects to managing accounts, and a whole lot more in between! |
