Regional Managers
Sam McCabe
Managing Director Aerotech Group / Chief Pilot Aerotech 1st Response
The backdrop of Sam's childhood and teenage years was Aerotech. With over 22 years of operational experience along with being one of Aerotech's most experienced pilots, Sam has a great depth of understanding of what it takes being an aerial operator. Now Managing Director for the Aerotech Group, Sam's focus is on nurturing the existing business and looking for additional growth whilst being uncompromising in customer service and safety.
Peter Bidstrup
Chief Pilot Aerotech Agriculture / Regional Manager Mid North
Peter has been flying with Aerotech for 15 years and has over 7,000 hours. Brought up in the mid north of South Australia, he has a strong understanding of local farmers' needs and brings extensive experience in all types of agriculture including broad acre farming, cotton, rice, spraying and spreading in both day and night. Peter also flies for the fire operations in the summer months, with significant experience in this type of flying also.
Chris Traeger
Regional Manager South East
Chris is Aerotech's longest serving employee, having been with the company for over 20 years. Chris grew up on a property out of Tintinara and has a firm understanding of the needs and concerns of farmers. He is a builder by trade and plays a large role in designing and manufacturing Aerotech's equipment as well as managing Aerotech's South East operations.
Mark Gurner
Base Manager Mid North
Mark has been part of the Aerotech team for around 5 years. He joined the Aerotech team as manager of our maintenance operation based at Parafield Airport and is now responsbile for Aerotech's mid north operations. Mark has extensive experience in dealing with dangerous goods, having driven fuel trucks for BP in his previous job. Mark is also responsible for internal company auditing for our aerial fire fighting operations.
Danny Allen
Regional Manager Yorke Peninsula
Danny has been with Aerotech for around 5 years. He is pilot for both the agriculture and fire operations and manages the Yorke Peninsula region. He grew up on a farm just out of Arthurton and continues to farm in addition to flying for Aerotech.
Mick Howell
Regional Manager West Coast
Mick has been with Aerotech around for 2 years. He has extensive local experience on the West Coast in a diverse range of agricultural roles. He was born in Cummins and raised on the family farm between Yeelanna and Kapinnie. Following school Mick spent the next 20 years farming with his father and brothers. After that he worked for Westfarmers Landmark as a sales agronomist for 10 years, then took on the role managing Eyreial Ag Services which became part of Aerotech in July 2009. In his role for Aerotech Mick has managed and developed all parts of its West Coast operation.
Hamish Jacob
Regional Manager Northern Territory
Hamish grew up in Naracoorte and commenced his flying career there before moving to Kununarra in northern WA. Hamish moved to Darwin 2 years ago to fly and manage our top end operations which includes spraying and fire bombing.
Carl Marshall
Manager Aerotech GPS
Carl trained for his pilots license and 'ag rating' in New Zealand before making his way to Australia to spray cotton in Mungindi for 10 years. He has since joined Aerotech and has been flying for another 5 years, clocking up 7,500 low level flying hours. Whilst still involved in flying, Carl is now assigned to the development of Aerotech's GPS business.
Brad Mass
Chief Engineer Aerotech Maintenance
Brad has been with Aerotech for more than 8 years and has strong engineering skills. He has worked on Air Tractors for his entire career and has a strong knowledge of the aircraft and its systems.