Message from the RTAA

Meet the RTAA’s Executive Team

A message from the Rail Track Association of Australia.

Thomas Kerr

Jonathan Barnes

Steven Johnson

Kieran Navin

Jim Mahood

THE RTAA IS A membership-based, ot-for-profit organisation. We are dedicated to providing high levels of services to our members through the promotion of our strategic priorities. Members come from across the Australian rail community and include contractors, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, academics, regulators, government agencies and individuals. The RTAA’s Executive Team is as follows:

Thomas Kerr, President Thomas is a Chartered Professional Project Manager, Civil and Systems Engineer and a Trainer/Assessor with 10 years experience in the construction and maintenance of railways.

With extensive expertise in rail, Thomas has a broad understanding of different railway modes through the whole of asset life and is proficient in solving problems using systems thinking. He has achieved many accolades including Sydney Trains Gold Award, RTAA Young Rail Specialist Award and Transport for NSW’s Employee Excellence Award. Since joining as a member of the RTAA in 2014 and taking on various roles within the association, Thomas stepped up to the challenge of leading the RTAA as president in 2017.

Jonathan Barnes, Vice President Jonathan has worked in the rail industry for the last 15 years, having started his career with Swetha in 2000. He spent his early years in Rail Safeworking and corridor management, while studying civil and computer engineering at Western Sydney University. He joined RailCorp’s Intern program in 2008, working in the Civil Major Construction group, and has subsequently worked across a range of areas. Jonathan joined the Management Committee in 2013 and has played a key role in the Rail Industry Field Day as well as improving the RTAA’s engagement with young members. In 2014, Jonathan was elected Vice President.

Steven Johnson, Vice President Steve Johnson willingly entered the rail sector in 2000 and has never wanted to leave. Steve studied for a Masters in Railway Systems Engineering at The University of Sheffield with the intention of starting a career in railways.

Since then Steve has predominantly worked in the track renewals area of the industry focussing for many years on turnout renewals. He has worked on projects delivering improvements in the way turnouts are renewed in the UK and Sydney, with Sydney Trains. Steven is the Managing Director of MATISA Australia, a subsidiary of the Swiss manufacturer of railway maintenance equipment, MATISA Material Industriel S.A.

Kieran Navin, Treasurer Kieran has worked in or around the UK and Australian railways for the past 13 years. He’s interested in fixing complex problems, be they technical, strategic or human. During his career, Kieran’s varied roles have included stints operating tamping fleets, ¬managing welding teams, supporting enormous bids, running small businesses and relentlessly searching for the next and newest technology.

Kieran joined the Executive as Treasurer in 2018. Kieran is currently Managing Director of Riddell View Pty Ltd, a consultancy firm offering Project and Bidding Leadership expertise.

Jim Mahood, Secretary Jim has 35 years’ civil engineering experience and started his career as a civil engineer with the State Rail Authority ofNSW. Since that time he has held various positions including within Broadspectrum’s rail and power businesses, as well as having experience in road maintenance and pavement stabilisation projects. He was elected to the Executive in 2016 and has been an active RTAA member for many years, including playing a key role on the Rail Industry Field Day organising committe e.