Ambassadors
Steve Godbee - CIO IBM Australia New Zealand
"Hi I'm Steve Godbee,
Chief Information Officer of IBM Australia New Zealand and now an ACS Certified Professional (CP). Finally IT practitioners can be recognised both nationally and internationally as true professionals, through meeting and maintaining a global standard of IT professionalism.
This is a major step forward for the IT profession and something we should all capitalise on."
Steve has been working in the ICT industry for 28 years, covering application development, project management, business operations and infrastructure management. He joined IBM Australia in 1986 as an analyst programmer and has supported IBM operations across Asia Pacific, Latin America and globally. As the CIO for IBM in Australia - New Zealand, Steve is charged with providing ICT infrastructure, tools, services and support to more than 15,000 IBM employees. Steve’s key objective is to support IBM’s business priorities and, in particular, to utilise innovative technology to meet the dynamic requirements of IBM’s on demand business. Steve holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, in Computing Science, from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Stephen Kowal - General Manager of Financial Services for CSC Australia
"Hi there, I’m Stephen Kowal,
General Manager of Financial Services for CSC Australia, a Senior Member of the ACS and now a Certified Professional (CP).
The new CP status is set in accordance with an international standard setting a new global benchmark for IT professionalism. It recognises experienced IT practitioners such as myself for the first time as true professionals in alignment with the more traditional professions. "
As the General Manager for Financial Services at CSC Australia, Stehen is accountable for all elements of the Insurance, Banking, Capital and Wealth Management business.
Stephen has extensive experience in the commercial and IT space, including prior roles as CIO and Director of Business Excellence for CSC Australia, CIO of BHP Billiton Base Metals based in South America as well as CIO of WMC and BHP Billiton IT Integration Lead in which he led the technical integration of WMC into BHP Billiton as part of the $9.2B acquisition.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computing Science from the University of New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Computer Society.
Michael Hawkins - Manager Federal Government Consulting for Oracle
"Hi I’m Michael Hawkins,
Manager Federal Government Consulting for Oracle and now an ACS Certified Professional (CP). Being recognised as a professional, recognised as having specialised skills and knowledge, and recognised as adhering to a code of ethics is big step forward for the IT profession. It has the potential to provide the market with assurance they are getting good quality IT and the potential to differentiate IT practitioners.
I encourage all ICT practitioners to get certified and for the first time get recognised as a professional at the same level as other traditional professions."
Michael Hawkins has been involved in the IT industry for more than 25 years, spanning both public and private sectors. His experience in both the technical and business sides of the industry have supported his work in the development of business and strategy plans for a number of organisations as both a member of staff and as a consultant.
Michael’s current role as Manager Federal Government Consulting at Oracle Corporation provides him the opportunity to work with all levels of Federal Government to help provide solutions around the Oracle product line and work with agencies to facilitate commercial arrangements for the advancement of ongoing relations. This work exposes Michael to the many ICT related issues that are being faced by Federal Government Agencies and give him a perspective into upcoming trends and issues.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computing from the University of Canberra and a Masters in Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales.
Mike Driver - Director of IT Projects & Governance for the Queensland DEEDI
"Hi I’m Mike Driver,
Director of IT projects & Governance for the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, and now an ACS certified professional (CP).
The new professional certification awarded by the ACS is an excellent opportunity for industry and IT practitioners to implement a professional status. Developed in accordance with global standards CP sets a global benchmark for professionalism in IT."
Mike has been working in IT&T for over 40 years in almost every aspect of the industry. Beginning as a radio technician of the RAAF Mike transitioned to the private sector and climbed the ladder to become a Director.
As a Director of projects and governance for the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Mike is responsible for the project office and IT governance. Most recently Mike was IT Group Manager at MuCullough Robertson Lawyers and the National Manager at Clayton Ut z.
Mike has a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, ITIL levels 2 and 3, Prince 2 certified and has completed the ACS’s CPEP and much more. Mike is also a Senior Member of the Australian Computer Society.
Len Spain - CIO of Excelior
"Hi I'm Len Spain,
CIO of Excelior and now an ACS certified professional (CP).
The new CP program takes the next step in IT certification distinguishing a professional from a practitioner. It puts the onus on the individual to maintain the level of competence and development that is expected by a professional. Most importantly it advances the IT profession globally setting a benchmark and formally recognising professionalism."
Len Spain is an accomplished senior executive with over 20 years experience in the ICT space across a number of industries including contact centres, transport, mining, health, defence, education and telecommunications.
As CIO for Excelior, Len is responsible for the alignment of technology strategy with business needs, developing IT capabilities that differentiate the firm’s products offerings and improving productivity through business process optimisation with best practice technology solutions. Len has held previous positions as National IT Manager for Toll Priority and General Manager Technology Services for Rural Ambulance Victoria.
Len holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Technology, Sydney, an MBA from Deakin University and is a Member of the Australian Computer Society.
