Meet Our Leadership Team

Les Brand (FIEAust, CPEng, RPEQ) is a highly experienced electrical engineer with over 30 years in the transmission and distribution industry, having led major HVDC interconnection projects across Australia, the USA, Canada, and the UK. He has held senior technical and executive roles, contributed to landmark projects like Basslink and Trans Bay Cable, and was recognized with the Engineers Australia National Professional Electrical Engineer of the Year award in 2020.

Adam Peard, a Fellow of Engineers Australia, has over 20 years of experience in electricity market operations, transmission planning, and generator connections, with deep expertise in system security, performance standards, and renewable integration. He serves as a Strategic Technical Advisor and Expert Witness, contributing to major transmission projects, Renewable Energy Zones, and regulatory panels across Australia.

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Andrew Halley is a professional engineer with over 26 years of experience in power system planning, operations, and integration of new technologies, including inverter-based resources and HVDC systems. He specializes in system security, compliance, and high-IBR grid operations, contributing to technical solutions for Renewable Energy Zones and actively engaging in industry forums and education.

Gerhard is a seasoned advisor with 30 years of experience across utilities and resources, specializing in strategic network planning, regulatory support, and investment governance. As Manager of Strategy and Planning, he leads a multidisciplinary team supporting governments and industry in shaping efficient, future-ready network development frameworks.

Monty is a professional engineer over 10 years of experience in power system distribution and transmission across Canada and Australia, specialising in advanced simulations, high-voltage equipment testing, and controller tuning. He leads a Brisbane-based team conducting power quality assessments and Generator Performance Standards studies, with deep expertise in inverter technologies, Hardware-in-the-Loop testing, and tools like PSCAD, PowerFactory, and PSS/E.

Keehan Chan is a principal engineer with 20+ years of experience in electrical power engineering across diverse industries, specializing in power system studies, protection, transmission and distribution planning, and electricity market operations. He has led major interconnection and master planning projects across Asia and the Middle East, and is highly skilled in using advanced power system simulation tools for modeling and performance testing.

Desmond is a professional engineer with over 15 years of experience in power system transmission and distribution across Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, specializing in generator connections, dynamic modelling, and transmission planning. He has led numerous renewable energy projects from design to commissioning, and currently heads a Singapore-based team conducting advanced system studies using PowerFactory, PSS/E, and PSCAD.

Matt is an electrical engineer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in HVDC and FACTS systems across New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, with hands-on expertise in construction, commissioning, and maintenance. He has led major projects including control system upgrades, failure investigations, and international HVDC developments, and contributes to CIGRE’s global HVDC knowledge initiatives.

Willie Otto is an electrical engineer with over 20 years of international experience in HVDC and AC transmission, power system planning, and renewable integration. He specialises in control and protection systems, electromagnetic transient modeling, and has led technical roles in major projects across Australia and New Zealand using tools like PSCAD, PowerFactory, and RTDS.