Our Team

Untapped leverage our deep industry expertise, innovative methodologies, and a client-centric approach to deliver results. From small startups to multinational corporations, we partner with organisations across diverse sectors to address their challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Our team of qualified professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to every engagement. working closely with clients, we identify opportunities, address challenges and implement practical solutions that drive tangible results. 

Aaron Rigg

Executive Director

Queensland

Aaron is the Founder, and Executive Director of Untapped. He boasts a distinguished career in leadership and asset management. Recognised as an Engineering Executive by Engineers Australia, he holds Fellow and Chartered Manager designations from the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and the Australian Institute of Management, Western Australia. Aaron's academic credentials include tertiary qualifications in mechanical engineering, business, and maintenance management.

With over a decade of operational experience in mining and heavy industry, Aaron has held pivotal roles in Aluminium, Iron Ore, and Coal assets. His expertise spans technical, strategic, and leadership domains, as well as asset management functions. Notably, Aaron has spearheaded transformational initiatives and cultural enhancement projects, fostering organisational growth and development.

Since establishing Untapped Resources in 2017, Aaron has provided consultancy services to Tier-1 clients such as BHP, South 32, Rio Tinto, Pacific National, and FMG, alongside medium and smaller private enterprises. His collaborative approach and proven record make him a trusted advisor in driving organisational excellence and performance enhancement.

Mitchell Cobcroft

General Manager | Principal Consultant

New South Wales

Bringing over 15 years of experience in heavy industry, Mitch is a valuable member of the Untapped team. Previously serving as the Maintenance Manager at Pacific National, Mitch held pivotal roles overseeing coal fleet maintenance and national intermodal operations. Where he managed a diverse portfolio of rollingstock, comprising three thousand freight wagons, 185 locomotives, and container handling equipment.

Mitch's background in line leadership and logistics at Rio Tinto further bolsters his expertise in driving operational excellence. He excelled in orchestrating major maintenance activities, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to stringent requirements. Mitch's proficiency extends beyond technical prowess; he is adept in SAP/CMMS systems, complemented by his exceptional skills in people management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and facilitating organisational change.

With a proven history of delivering results and a comprehensive skill set, Mitch plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and driving sustainable growth at Untapped. His dedication to excellence and collaborative approach makes him a valuable asset in navigating complex challenges and achieving organisational objectives.

Wayne Zarb

Principal Consultant

Western Australia

Wayne is a highly experienced leader, coach, and consultant with over 25 years working in Tier-1 mining organisations. His career encompasses time across multiple commodities and areas, including gold, iron ore and marine operations, as well as functional HSE roles. He has led large-scale operational and safety teams of more than 300 people, delivering transformational change through a people-focused and technically astute approach.

Specialising in leadership development, operational strategy, and risk management, Wayne has designed and implemented programs that have strengthened safety culture, enhanced workforce capability, and optimised operational performance. His connected leadership style fosters strong relationships at all levels, driving engagement and sustainable change.

With deep expertise in operational readiness and execution, critical risk management, and cost optimisation, Wayne has successfully delivered multi-million-dollar savings while improving safety and efficiency. He has played a key role in aligning teams, refining maintenance strategies, and influencing mindset and behaviours to reduce risk exposure and uplift individual and organisational output.

A results-driven leader, Wayne combines technical expertise with a people-first mindset to build high-performing teams and drive cultural and operational excellence. His ability to bridge strategy and execution makes him a trusted advisor in mining operations, leadership coaching, and safety improvement.

Tim Rice

Principal Consultant

Tasmania

Tim is a seasoned professional boasting tertiary qualifications in mechanical engineering and maintenance management. With over two decades of experience, he has demonstrated proficiency in engineering and leadership roles, showcasing a keen understanding of reliability, maintenance, and asset management. 

Tim's expertise extends notably to defect elimination, where he has garnered global recognition as an authority in the field. He is the esteemed author of a comprehensive book on the subject and has conducted numerous training programs, solidifying his reputation as a sought-after expert in the industry.

Throughout his career, Tim has not only actively practiced but also mentored others in the realms of reliability, maintenance, and asset management. His deep knowledge base and significant contributions underscore his commitment to advancing best practices and driving continuous improvement within the field.

With a proven record of excellence and a wealth of experience, Tim stands as a respected figure in the industry, sought after for his insights, guidance, and invaluable contributions to the realm of engineering and maintenance management.

Justin Goodreid

Principal Consultant

New South Wales

Justin is a chartered mechanical engineer boasting two decades of experience in mining and heavy industries. He has served in pivotal roles directly for industry giants such as Rio Tinto, Glencore, Orica, and Yancoal.

Throughout his career, Justin has held diverse positions spanning Mobile Equipment and Processing assets, encompassing project management, planning, scheduling, supervision, and engineering. Notably, he excelled as Asset Management Principal at Yancoal, overseeing mobile equipment asset budgeting, reliability reporting, and SAP governance. 

Justin's expertise extends beyond maintenance and reliability engineering; he is also a certified NSW Statutory Mechanical Engineer with proficiencies in ICAM investigation, Apollo RCA Facilitation, and Internal Auditing.

Will Mcewan

Principal Consultant

Queensland

Will McEwan serves as a Principal Consultant at Untapped, bringing over 15 years of comprehensive experience in maintenance and asset management to the table. A tertiary-qualified Mechanical Engineer, Will honed his skills during a decade-long tenure at Rio Tinto, where he held various planning, scheduling, supervisory, and engineering roles across coal and iron ore assets.

With a profound understanding of maintenance and asset management cycles, Will collaborates closely with planning teams to enhance scheduling, master data accuracy, and plan adherence. Since transitioning to consulting in 2019, he has contributed his expertise to major industry players such as Glencore, Macmahon, RTIO, and BHP, supporting a myriad of Australian-based asset management programs. Furthermore, he has undertaken international assignments for Freeport and Anglo.

As a maintenance strategy expert, Will specialises in data analysis, ensuring informed decision-making grounded in numerical evidence. Leveraging his frontline leadership experience, he prioritises the human aspect of maintenance, fostering engagement and enhancing the quality of work to drive continuous improvement initiatives. Will's multifaceted skill set, and proven track record make him an invaluable asset in optimising maintenance practices and achieving operational excellence.

Jesilee rigg

Senior Consultant

Queensland

Drawing upon her expertise in safety systems, practices, and auditing, Jesilee specialises in enhancing critical risk awareness within organisations. Focusing on the interface between behavioural patterns and safety systems, she cultivates a robust safety culture that prioritises organisational well-being.

With a comprehensive understanding of safety systems, Jesilee brings seasoned expertise to the field, particularly in open-cut mining. She possesses strong skills in risk assessment and incident investigations, ensuring that proactive safety measures are identified and implemented. 

As a certified HSE Auditor with Rio Tinto and Trainer Assessor, she is adept at one-on-one training sessions. Jesilee is proficient in project management, change management, and facilitating business improvement initiatives, reflecting her commitment to driving organisational excellence.

With a focus on driving safety excellence and fostering continuous improvement, she empowers organisations to mitigate risks effectively, ensuring a safer work environment whilst promoting sustainable performance.

Philip Lowe

Business Improvement Specialist

Western Australia

With over 20 years of leadership, consulting, and operational excellence experience, Phil is a results-driven professional specialising in Supply Chain, Logistics, Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management. His career has spanned diverse industries, including Manufacturing, Services, IT, Oil & Gas, Mining, and Software Development, where he successfully led large-scale transformations, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced business performance.

Phil has led the deployment of eight large-scale Operating Systems across major mining and maintenance operations, including support functions, effectively coaching leadership teams and frontline operators in process optimisation and continuous improvement. His ability to cultivate operators into proficient operating system coaches has been instrumental in sustaining long-term performance gains.

As a transformation and change leader, he has spearheaded multiple business improvement initiatives across single and multi-site operations, delivering measurable outcomes such as a 25% increase in mining revenues, a 30% reduction in operating costs, and a significant improvement in production schedule adherence from 30% to 100%. Phil's strategic focus on process improvement has enabled businesses to implement lean methodologies and data-driven decision-making, significantly boosting throughput and cost efficiency.

Leveraging advanced data analysis, predictive analytics, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Phil has trained and mentored over 900 professionals, ranging from frontline operators to Master Black Belts. He is a seasoned coach, mentor, and facilitator, with a strong track record of developing leadership capabilities at all organisational levels.

Mark Jones

Asset Management Specialist

New South Wales

Mark is a seasoned maintenance specialist, holding trade qualifications and boasting a wealth of experience in the mining sector. His expertise spans multiple asset types, encompassing a broad spectrum of hands-on maintenance tasks and strategic planning initiatives. With a keen understanding of asset management practices, Mark plays a vital role in ensuring the operational integrity and reliability of mining operations.

Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated proficiency in executing maintenance activities efficiently while adhering to strict safety and quality standards. His comprehensive knowledge base enables him to navigate complex maintenance challenges effectively and implement proactive maintenance strategies to optimise asset performance.

As a key contributor to maintenance planning and scheduling processes, Mark's insights contribute to the seamless coordination of maintenance activities, minimising downtime and maximising productivity. His dedication to excellence and commitment to continuous improvement make him a valuable asset in the mining industry's pursuit of operational excellence.

Chris Stewart

Asset Management Specialist

New South Wales

With over 25 years of experience in equipment maintenance across diverse sectors like mining, military, and rail, Chris is a seasoned Asset Management Specialist. He excels in optimising maintenance operations and driving continuous improvement, leveraging his firsthand mechanical maintenance background, maintenance planning skills, and leadership experience.

Throughout his career, Chris has played pivotal roles in maintenance and asset management, spanning his tenure in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and various positions in the mining and rail industries. He collaborates closely with planning teams, sharing insights in scheduling, master data management, and process development.

Proficient in SAP and Project One, Chris facilitates data-driven decision-making and streamlines asset management operations, providing unique insights and driving efficiency. With a proven history of leadership and collaboration, he adeptly manages tasks and projects under tight deadlines while fostering strong teamwork and communication. 

Additionally, Chris holds certifications like SAP S/4HANA Asset Management – C_TS413_202 and Certificate IV Trainer and Assessor, supporting his role as a mentor in asset management planning across all levels.

Aaron Tierney

Asset Management Specialist

New South Wales

Aaron is a skilled maintenance specialist following a solid career in the mining industry. Possessing trade qualifications, Aaron brings a wealth of expertise encompassing various asset types and a comprehensive understanding of direct maintenance practices.

His experience underscores his proficiency in executing maintenance tasks across diverse assets, ensuring operational efficiency and reliability. Aaron's knowledge base extends beyond routine maintenance activities, encompassing strategic planning and scheduling methodologies vital for optimising asset performance and minimizing downtime.

With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Aaron plays a vital role in enhancing asset management practices within the mining sector. His multifaceted skill set, and practical experience underpin his drive to embed continuous improvement and operational success in the industry.

GREGory Herbert

Asset Management Specialist

South Australia

Gregory is a highly experienced Maintenance Planner and Scheduler with over 25 years in heavy industry, specialising in asset management across Gold, Aluminium, Iron Ore, and Steel Manufacturing. Having worked with leading organisations such as Rio Tinto, Alcoa, Newcrest, and BHP Steel, he has developed deep expertise in SAP maintenance, shutdown coordination, and reliability strategies.

With a strong technical and leadership background, Gregory has held key roles in both fixed and mobile plant operations, overseeing maintenance planning, scheduling, and budgeting to optimise asset performance. His expertise includes SAP master data management, classified plant maintenance, and work management, ensuring seamless execution of maintenance programs.

Committed to operational excellence, Gregory has been instrumental in driving efficiency improvements, reducing downtime, and enhancing maintenance strategies. His hands-on approach, combined with a strategic mindset, makes him a trusted specialist in asset reliability and performance optimisation.