Our Team
Glen Walker
Glen Walker is Managing Director of SmartGov. He is a civil engineer with postgraduate qualifications in management and local government. Glen's experience in local government extends over 30 years. He has held senior management positions in a broad range of areas including infrastructure management, civil construction, integrated planning and environmental management. As an Associate for the University of Technology Sydney, Glen assists the Centre for Local Government with professional development programs, research and consultancy work. Glen developed the first Integrated Management System in Australia to achieve third party certification against the relevant AS/ISO Standards for all council functions. His expertise also covers service reviews, asset management and process redesign.
Peter McKinlay
Peter McKinlay is Executive Director of McKinlay Douglas Limited. He is also Director of the Local Government Centre at Auckland University of Technology. Associated with that role, he is a member of the Research Advisory Group of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, and a member of the editorial board of the Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance. Peter has an international reputation for his expertise in local government, including alternative structural arrangements and collaboration between councils and other entities.
Brent Ritchie
Brent Ritchie is a highly experienced assessor for the internationally recognised Business Excellence Framework. He provides expert advice and solutions to senior executives who desire to achieve world class organisational performance. He has worked within a wide range of public and private sector organisations in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia. This included designing and implementing business excellence programs for New Zealand’s Fire Service comprising 10,000 employees, and within 90 local government authorities.
Brian Guthrie
Brian Guthrie PSM has a wealth of experience working in government and private sectors. He has held positions of General Manager and Principal for organisations with budgets ranging up to $500 million per annum. Brian was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Urban Local Government Association of Queensland for many years and held Board positions for a number of organisations, including a Prime Ministerial appointment. He is presently on the Local Government Infrastructure Board in Queensland. Brian was responsible for managing the amalgamation of two large urban cities and a water board in north Queensland.
Mick Gray
Mick Gray has over 30 years experience in a wide range of rural and urban councils, including at senior management level. His extensive expertise covers civil engineering design, construction, project management, risk management, OHS management, fleet management and procurement. Mick established the Hunter Councils' Risk Management Team and performed the role of Chair for six years. He also has specialist knowledge in asset management and prepared the design of a strategic asset management software application for a syndicate of five councils.
Michael Neilson
Michael Neilson has widespread experience in Local, State and Federal levels of government. He possesses a bachelor of business degree along with postgraduate management qualifications. One of his specialities is staff and industrial relations, having performed in a range of human resource management roles. More recently, Michael has managed service review projects, providing guidance and support to participants. He has established a new local government business arm called Lakemac Enterprises and is the director of a successful local business in the Newcastle area.
Jeff Jansson
Jeff Jansson specialises in environmental and natural resource management, and has extensive experience in senior management positions for both Local and State Government. He has tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Commerce and Town Planning, and was the Environmental Management subject coordinator for a postgraduate program for 10 years. He also initiated and project managed the Lower Hunter Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy. Jeff's emphasis on integrated environmental management was demonstrated when he successfully managed a $28 million estuary rehabilitation project that was well recognised and awarded.
Mirella Di Genua
Mirella Di Genua specialises in facilitation, stakeholder engagement and change management. She has worked in and/or consulted with government, not for profit and private sector organisations in a variety of industries including utilities, construction, insurance, manufacturing, retail, health, and children's services. Over the past 18 months, she has been the Community Advisory Group facilitator for the Lake Macquarie City Council Service Review. Mirella has tertiary qualifications in applied science, commerce and organisational behaviour.
Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts is a workplace learning and development consultant. He specialises in leadership and teamwork development, emotional intelligence coaching, behavioural interviewing and transition management. Jason has worked with a large number of organisations including Lake Macquarie City Council, NSW Police, the ANZ Bank, GM Holden, and the RAAF to deliver tailor-made development programs. He has tertiary qualifications in Training and Development and Psychology Studies. Jason is also a three-times Commonwealth Games medallist.
