I’ve been with Zenith Energy for almost four years and currently work as the Contracts Manager – Corporate. My responsibilities are varied: I review Terms and Conditions, handle pre-contract negotiations for major contracts with long-lead items, support insurance management, and administer our Power Purchase Agreements.
I first joined Zenith coming from the commercial construction sector. I was looking to broaden my horizons and explore a new industry, and Zenith gave me the opportunity to do exactly that while helping to build the office. What made me stay was the supportive environment and the bold, innovative direction the company is taking. With the rapid growth we’re experiencing, processes are still evolving, which makes it an exciting time to be here.
No two days are the same in my role. Recently, I’ve been focused on negotiating a Turbine Supply and Install contract, managing warranties, operations and maintenance agreements, and working on insurance renewals, alongside ongoing tasks like charge escalations and heat rate guarantee calculations.
For me, the culture at Zenith is one of support. Help is always available when needed, and that makes a huge difference. Of course, growing processes as the company expands can be challenging, but it’s something we’re tackling together.
One of my proudest moments was leading the negotiation of the last TSI contract. That milestone, along with the professional growth I’ve experienced — from Contract Administrator to Contracts Manager — is something I’m grateful for. Zenith has given me the space to learn about the resources industry, energy generation, and commercial terms while still supporting my university studies and other commitments.
Work-life balance hasn’t always been easy, but Zenith’s flexible hours have allowed me to keep up with my studies and activities outside work. Looking forward, I feel there’s still a lot to learn in my current role, and I’m excited to see what opportunities our upcoming projects will bring.
Michael Buzzard is the Executive of IPP Growth at Zenith Energy, spearheading the company’s expansion in the independent power producer sector. With over 25 years’ experience in business development and commercial management, Michael specialises in sustainable energy solutions and strategic partnerships that foster growth and innovation.
Mark Sputore is an experienced in-house legal professional with 20 years of industry expertise. Since joining Zenith Energy in 2023 as General Counsel & Company Secretary, he has been responsible for overseeing legal, governance, and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance and strategic risk management. His extensive experience in corporate law and energy sector regulations supports Zenith Energy’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Abby Kenward is a Human Resources Executive with the ability to optimise businesses by effectively resourcing, managing, developing and deploying people. Over twelve years’ experience in implementing and managing HR & IR business functions, including; Resourcing, Remuneration and Benefits, Learning and Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Strategic Planning. This experience has been gained across a range of industries; consulting, oil and gas, engineering, construction and non for profits.
Dominic has 25 years international commercial experience with the past 15 years in senior executive energy sector business development and leadership roles. He has shaped strategy, business direction and led market development in renewables and microgrids across the public and private sector. Dominic has led a range of professional clean energy and microgrid projects as consultant and project director with energy utilities, remote communities, mining operations, commercial and industrial property developers. Dominic was responsible for the founding and building one of the longest standing successful private clean energy businesses in Australia. He was also the Project Director for the creation of a new statutory electricity corporation for the WA government with 800,000 customers
Tim joined Zenith Energy as Executive Manager Corporate Development in April 2021. He leads the Corporate Development Team, focusing on originating and executing the acquisition of new distributed energy solutions for Zenith. An experienced commercial and finance executive, Tim has held a number of finance and corporate development roles with South32 and BHP. Prior to his current role with Zenith, he was the Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance for South32. He has a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Law and a Master of Applied Finance.
Elvin has over 25 years experience in the energy industry including as an upstream oil & gas industry executive across the LNG value chain for fixed and floating small to mid-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in USA, Canada, China, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia & Papua New Guinea. Elvin is experienced in establishing new domestic virtual pipeline natural gas markets and expanding existing market offerings for the LNG fuels and power sector including initiating, evaluating and delivering sanctioned business cases to realize target ROI. Elvin has previously held executive management roles for an ASX top 50 energy operator delivering a baseload LNG project in Papua New Guinea, and for specialist SME consulting companies in the Australasian region supporting both onshore and offshore Exploration & Production activities.
Simon Jelly is a Specialist Electrical technician who has +20 years’ experience in the remote power industry. He is highly skilled in Gas, Diesel, and Hybrid renewable power stations, having designed, commissioned, and constructed numerous power stations throughout WA and the NT Mining Industries. Simon has strong leadership skills having grown a successful design and construction team at Zenith over 10 years. Simon has been responsible for designing, engineering and the construction of new projects, managing all technical aspects of the business including, operational efficiency initiatives, the tender process, as well as R&D.
Russell has over 38 years’ experience in safety management roles across the mining, energy, power and drilling industries. Most recently, he was the Contract HSE/HR Manager overseeing Drillwest and Acqua Drill Resources through his own company RP Hazard, Risk and Training Solutions. Previously he held roles with BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers Energy (Kleenheat Gas), Western Power and Boart Longyear. Russell’s expertise includes risk identification and management, development and implementation of Management Systems to Australian Standards and ensuring a compliance focus with safety in design.
Graham is an electrical technician and experienced manager having worked in the IPP industry with Doug for many years, he has over 30 years’ experience in designing, constructing, and operating, remote area’s power stations and renewable energy systems. He is responsible for, managing all engineering, project construction, and operational/maintenance aspects of the business, including the company HSEQ and Human resources teams.
Hamish has extensive experience in the downstream oil industry gained primarily in building markets in numerous sectors across Asia, Europe and the US. Hamish was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of a private commercial services company, which he sold into a major public services conglomerate in the second half of 2015. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of a privately held oil distribution company, which holds exclusive distribution rights to a major international brand and has performed roles as Segment Director and Marketing Director for one of the world’s largest oil companies.
Doug is a 35-year veteran of the power generation industry. He has designed and built more than 60 remote power stations across Australasia, initially through his own company, StateWest Power and later through Zenith Pacific, which he co-founded in 2006. StateWest was subsequently acquired by Wesfarmers Energy. Doug is recognised in the industry for his innovative thinking, both in finding effective solutions to difficult power generation problems and for creating the now widely-recognised Build – Own – Operate (BOO) approach to the establishment of remote area power plants.