Aaron, the Executive Director of Untapped, boasts a distinguished career in engineering and management. Recognised as an Engineering Executive by Engineers Australia, he holds Fellow and Chartered Manager titles 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 industry giants such as BHP, South 32, Rio Tinto, Pacific National, Macmahon, and FMG, alongside smaller private enterprises. His collaborative approach and proven record make him a trusted advisor in driving organisational excellence and performance enhancement.
Bringing over 15 years of experience in heavy industry, Mitch is a valuable addition to the Untapped team. Previously serving as the Maintenance Manager at Pacific National, Mitch held pivotal roles overseeing coal fleet maintenance and national intermodal operations. His responsibilities included managing 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 Resources. His dedication to excellence and collaborative approach makes him a valuable asset in navigating complex challenges and achieving organisational objectives.
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.
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.
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, her goal is to cultivate a robust safety culture that prioritizes 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 proactive safety measures are identified and implemented.
As a certified HSE Auditor with Rio Tinto and proficient 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 commitment to driving safety excellence and fostering continuous improvement, she empowers organisations to mitigate risks effectively, ensuring a safer work environment whilst promoting sustainable growth.
