Dr Paul Scully-Power AM
Dr Paul Scully-Power is an oceanographer, integrator, strategist and Australia’s first astronaut flying aboard Challenger on the 13th mission of the space shuttle. He is an expert in sensors, remote sensing, systems analysis and ICT and is credited with discovering the phenomenon of spiral eddies in the oceans. Paul was recently designated the NSW Government Space Industry Ambassador by the Premier.
He was the inaugural President of the UN International Commission on Space Oceanography and has held the Distinguished Chair of Underwater Acoustics in the US Navy. Paul was a Research Associate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Chairman of Membership of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.
He has served with the Royal Australian Navy, the UK Royal Navy, the US Navy, NASA, the Pentagon, US Military Intelligence and the White House, and has held executive appointments in high tech, defence and security programs under four Presidents: Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton.
Paul currently serves on the Defence Department External Review Board and the NSW Smart Sensing Network Board.
Paul leads the Ripper Group’s science and research/development projects, focussing on cutting edge technology and ensuring the Ripper Group equipment is at the forefront of capability and leading the world from UAV technology perspectives.
Hon John Brown AO
The Hon. John Brown was the Member for Parramatta in the Federal House of Representatives for 13 years from 1977, and held various ministerial portfolios including Arts, Sports, Environment and Territories.
In 1986, he was named Australian of the Year by The Australian newspaper and he was the founding Chairman of the Tourism Task Force (now the Tourism and Transport Forum). John is the Founder and Patron of the Sport and Tourism Youth Foundation. He was a long-term member of the Centennial Institute Board of Governors at Prince Alfred Hospital.
John’s commitment to sport resulted in numerous honours. He received the Olympic Silver Order of Merit for his contribution to the Australian Olympic Movement and was appointed as an International Honoree of the US Academy of Sport. In 1993 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his services to Sport, Tourism and the Australian Parliament.
John continues to work for things he believes in. He established the Sport and Tourism Youth Foundation (formerly the John Brown Foundation), which awarded hundreds of scholarships to talented but impecunious young Australians in both sport and tourism. A member of the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Committee, John was also a founding Director of the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee (SOCOG). He has held positions including Director of Macquarie Tourism and Leisure, Director of Canterbury Bankstown Leagues Club and consultant to Service Corporation International Australia.
Susan Calvert
Susan is an accomplished senior executive and strategic advisory consultant with a proven track record in delivering global business growth opportunities for Australian startups.
Susan is supporting The Ripper Group to fast-track its business growth plans by building strategic partnerships, connecting with new clients and facilitating new contracts in the large DAAS industry segment.
The former head of NSW Trade & Investment, Susan brings 25+ years of experience gained in the public sector, infrastructure, innovation and business management roles. She has built a significant international network and has partnered with major international corporations and technology startups to facilitate international investments and deliver business growth. She has also worked with all levels of Government to deliver public policy reform, improve regulation, develop sustainable infrastructure and adopt innovation.
Susan is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held numerous Board roles over her career.
Tony Gordon
After a career in magazine and book design, Tony helped develop, design and produce the initial Australian Geographic journal for Dick Smith in 1985 and was the company’s creative director for 17 years, designing and producing a long list of books and magazines.
Tony Gordon Printcounsel was launched in 2002, offering graphic design, print management and production services to select clients in the publishing and adventure travel industries.
A long-time design and publishing collaborator with Kevin Weldon on various publishing ventures, Tony teamed up with Kevin again in 2015 to develop the Ripper Group’s corporate identity. He continues to advise on the group’s publishing, branding and marketing requirements.