Corporate Ladder: Your guide to executive appointments in Queensland
Corporate Ladder tracks the latest executive appointments within the state. Tell us what’s happening at the top table at your business.
Former NASA deputy administrator joins QLD team
Space Gilmour has appointed former NASA deputy administrator, astronaut and retired US Air Force colonel Pamela Melroy to its board of directors.
Melroy brings more than three decades of civil, defence and commercial aerospace leadership to the role, most recently serving as deputy administrator of NASA.
She is a former astronaut and one of only two women to have commanded a Space Shuttle mission.
The appointment of Melroy follows the addition of international business leader Paco Ybarra to the board last year.
Space Gilmour CEO and co-founder Adam Gilmour welcomed Melroy to the team, describing her as one of the most respected leaders in the global aerospace industry.
“Her experience across government, defence, and commercial space will be invaluable as we continue building sovereign capability in Australia and expanding our presence internationally,” Gilmour said.
“We are proud to welcome her to the Board and look forward to her guidance as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Melroy said she was excited to join the company at such an important stage in its journey.
“It’s been impressive to see the company’s willingness to tackle some of the most challenging aspects of the space sector, from launch vehicles and satellites to the infrastructure needed to support them,” she said.
“As access to space becomes increasingly important for economic growth, technological leadership, and national security, I believe Gilmour Space is well positioned to play a meaningful role in Australia’s future and the global space economy.”
POLAIR welcomes new team leader
You might like
POLAIR Townsville has appointed Sergeant Dean Hanrahan as the first full-time leader for the region since the unit became fully operational in April.
POLAIR Townsville provides operational support on a full range of policing jobs including drug investigations, traffic matters, stolen car incidents, major and organised crime, public orders, missing persons and search and rescues.
Sergeant Hanrahan has been part of the team since September 2024 and said he was excited to continue supporting the community with even stronger air support.
“The roll out of POLAIR has given police on the front-line enhanced capability through the provision of situational awareness and eyes in the sky to assist with tactical planning and help officers on the ground do their job safely and efficiently,” Hanrahan said.
“Every day is different. There is no job like it,” he added.
“During a deployment we could be responding to a large number of active jobs occurring or be tasked to respond to one major incident like a high risk siege situation or tracking a stolen vehicle.”
Department director announces resignation
The director general of the department of state development, infrastructure and planning John Sosso has announced he will cease full-time duties on July 10 due to health reasons.
The Crisafulli Government acknowledged his record of service and paid tribute to his contributions to the department.
Sasso helped drive reforms including unlocking housing development to address supply shortages, the implementation of the 2032 Delivery Plan for the Olympics, repealing BPIC laws and commencing the inquiry into the CMFEU and fast-tracking major projects, development and investment.
Sosso joined the policy and legislation branch of the department of justice in 1984, and has since served in many roles under both sides of politics.
He has been the director general of the department of justice and department of consumer affairs, and the deputy director general in the department of Premier and Cabinet.
Current Deputy Director-General, State Development Shaun Ferris will serve as Acting Director-General in the interim.
New Deputy appointed at Brisbane firm
Callinan Chambers has appointed Jason Ward to the role of deputy public interest monitor for the state of Queensland, effective immediately.
Ward was first admitted as a solicitor in 2007 before being called to the private Bar in 2009 where he continues to practice.
He primarily practices in the District and Supreme Courts, and has appeared in most Australian jurisdictions.
Stay informed, daily
Callinan Chambers welcomed the appointment.
“This significant appointment, alongside his continuing work as a barrister, is a testament to his skill, integrity, and dedication to public service. We wish Jason every success in this important role.”
New CEO appointed to lead regional development on the coast
Regional Development Australian Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast (RDAMBSC) has appointed regional development leader Paul Fisher as its new CEO.
Fisher returns to the RDA network after previously leading Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast from 2018 to 2023.
His appointment followed a competitive recruitment process and comes at a pivotal time for one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
RDAMBSC chair Jason Law said Fisher’s extensive experience across both regional development and the private sector positioned him strongly to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
“Paul brings a unique combination of regional development expertise, commercial acumen and a deep understanding of our region’s opportunities and challenges,” Law said.
“As our region continues to experience significant population growth and increasing demand for infrastructure, jobs and investment, Paul is exceptionally well placed to lead RDAMBSC’s work in identifying opportunities, addressing constraints and advocating for initiatives that deliver long-term benefits for our communities.”
Most recently, Fisher served as CCO of RAIDER Targetry, leading commercial strategy and business development initiatives.
Fisher said he was delighted to be returning to the Regional Development Australia network.
“I am honoured to be joining RDAMBSC and look forward to working with the Board, our partners and stakeholders and the broader community to advance the economic and social development of our region,” Fisher said.
Fisher will be based at RDAMBSC’s offices and will lead the organisation’s ongoing work to support sustainable economic development across the City of Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa local government areas.
State Govt appoints new board following UQ review
The Crisafulli Government has appointed a new independent governing board to oversee Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ).
The creation of the board delivers on a key recommendation from the independent review into Queensland’s resources safety framework led by UQ Professor Susan Johnston.
The Board will be chaired by former Rio Tinto Australia CEO Kellie Parker, with Dan Hunt serving as deputy chair and John Ninness, Stephanie Pearce and Sonia Lewis appointed as directors.
As per Professor Johnston’s recommendations, the appointments bring together resource industry leaders with proven experience in governance and regulation, risk management, health and safety regulation, investigations and enforcement, organisational operations and occupational health.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the appointments ensured strong leadership was in place to deliver a safer and more accountable system.
“The findings from Professor Johnston’s report were sobering, and we have acted quickly and decisively to implement the recommendations,” Minister Last said.
The new RSHQ Board commenced Wednesday 1 July 2026.
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
