Ian Dennis
Ian Dennis is Chairman of Whitehorse Strategic Group Limited, and Executive Director of the Centre for Innovative Industry Economic Research Inc. He has served the IT industry for forty years, in his roles as a software developer, software company and consulting company director, and through his various honorary positions.
He was awarded an Australian Design Award for software in 1987 and was made a Life Member of the Software and Services Industry Federation in 1989 for his services to industry. He has served on the Boards of IT industry trade bodies for longer than any other Australian, and is the only person to have been elected Chairman of two of the three industry associations. In these roles he has been actively involved in policy formulation and review at State, Federal, and International levels. In 1998 he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society, receiving his fellowship for "significant contribution to the Australian information technology industry". He currently serves on the ACS National Council as Director of the ACS Economic and Industry Board, and on the ACS Victorian Branch Executive as Chairman.
He was a Founder of the ASOCIO Asia-Pacific Regional IT trade association, a prime mover in gaining Australian membership of the World Information Technology Services Association, and has represented the Australian IT industry around the world for over twenty-five years. He was Software Convener of the Australian Government Microelectronics and Software Mission to Europe in June
1990, and concluded the successful negotiation for the Australian Government of the co-operation accord with the Eureka Software Factory (ESF), signed by then Minister for Science, Simon Crean, in Berlin. He then managed the co-operation agreement until mid 1992. In 1990 he was elected a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 1993 he was awarded the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia - Microsoft Excel Award.
In 1994 Ian helped to develop the Victorian Government IT Outsourcing guidelines, and in 1995 project managed the Victorian Government Department of Justice IT outsource review. From 1995 to 1997 he developed and implemented the Victorian Government Ballarat IT2010 Industry development strategy. From 1995, he assisted in the Australian participation in the EU ESPRIT Fourth Framework, and project management and support to the highly successful TRANS2000-A project between Australia and Europe.
During 1996 he also provided project probity input as specialist advisor to the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, and in 1997 was an expert witness to the Senate Select Committee hearings on Government Outsourcing.
In 1997 Ian was elected a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
In 1998 he founded, and continues to chair, the Pearcey Foundation.
More recently Ian has lead Whitehorse and CIIER teams conducting studies on Public Sector ICT Research and Development (R&D) and an eLearning Industry Survey and Report for Multimedia in Victoria; the qualification and quantification of ICT outsourcing, examined the economic and operational implications of outsourcing and, in particular, off shoring, for the Australian Computer Society; a study of the Tasmanian ICT industry for the Tasmanian Government; an IT industry strategic analysis for the NSW Office of Information Technology; an evaluation of inwards investment decision processes for the Victorian Department of Infrastructure; a high-level statistical profile of the Victorian ICT Industry for the Department of Treasury’s industry wide reviews. In 2004 he was honoured by his appointment as a Companion of the Pearcey Foundation.
In the last year he has project managed the "ICT Skills Snapshot" evaluation and analysis of ICT employment trends for MMV and a major review of the Australian Software Industry for the Federal Government (DCITA).
Ian is also a member of the UN Roster of Experts in Technical Consultancy Services, a United Nations approved International Trade consultant (UNCTAD/GATT) International Trade Centre, and a Registered Expert in Information Technology, Research Directorate DGXII and European Commission.
Ana Govan
Young Professional of the Year 2006 Anastasia Govan, joined Whitehorse Strategic Group as a Director and shareholder in 2006. Ana is also the current NT Chair of the Australian Computer Society,
Ana was recently referred to by Business Review Weekly as a key female IT Executive, has an extensive background in the planning and development and management of IT projects, most recently for the Department of Health and Community Services, and for the Power and Water Corporation, in the Northern Territory.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Information Management, a Graduate Diploma of Management and is completing a Graduate of Laws degree. She has worked extensively with not for profit, private sector and government sectors nationally and in the Northern Territory and specialises in Information Architecture, business analysis, strategy, reporting and governance areas such as quality and risk and policy. Ana has also contributed strongly to technical and professional ICT development, speaking at conferences around Australia on knowledge management, data quality, electronic document management implementation, professionalism and IT trends.
With her background in Library and Information Management and focus on the Health and Energy sectors, Ana brings relevant expertise and a "can-do" attitude, that is a perfect fit for Whitehorse.
David Dennis
David Dennis is the Practice Area Manager of the Facilities Management Division of Whitehorse Strategic Group. He became a Whitehorse director in 2006 and brings to any task practical project management, ICT strategic development, systems integration, and business analysis experience.
Prior to joining Whitehorse, David was the Marketing and Operations Manager for Australian Exhibition Services (AES), for over six years, specialising in ICT project management, business development of services and intangibles, and project management of large-scale exhibitions and events. David was responsible for the project management of all ICT systems for AES and their partners. For over 4 years he managed all ICT strategic development, business case development, acquisitions and tender management, network upgrades and staff supervision. This included the introduction of multiple operating systems and the integration of Open Source solutions with Novell and Windows applications.
Since joining Whitehorse David has continued in this role and has successfully completed several projects specialising in ICT strategies, project management, technology needs analysis, security, systems integration and business process analysis. He was the Project Manager for ICT Strategies for Rochester and Elmore Districts Health Service, Inglewood & Districts Health Service, McIvor Health & Community Services, Cohuna District Hospital and Senior Consultant to the City Of Melbourne analysing and assessing the effectiveness of their Childhood Immunisation software application.
David has also successfully completed the SAIR GNU Linux Systems Administration and Security courses and has concluded several projects specialising in the project management and implementation of technical solutions. David was the Project Manager for the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority ICT strategy and Web Development Strategy, Municipal Association of Victoria ICT Strategy, Vincent Chrisp Architects ICT Strategy, and was head consultant on the City of Melbourne Parks and Recreation Information Management Strategy project. He is also responsible for major IT projects for the Municipal Association Victoria, and other organisations.
Phil Kowalski
Phil Kowalski joined Whitehorse Strategic Group in late 2006.
Phil is a project management specialist with many years of experience in co-ordinating resources across international borders and time zones. Coming to Whitehorse from several years consulting in the United States and Europe with major organisations such as Boeing, Goodyear and Probotec, Phil brings his Lean Manufacturing and ISO 9001 expertise to Australian industries.
Phil understands many of the technologies that organisations adopt in order to bring their processes and products into the 21st century. He has managed and installed ERP, MRP & CRM systems, along with Novell, Windows NT and Windows 2000/2003 networks.
With his background in manufacturing and his proficiency in applying the latest technologies, Phil has assisted a number of industrial organisations to update legacy equipment with computerised monitoring and controlling devices that minimise or completely negate the requirement to purchase new equipment at major capital cost. Phil has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Whitehorse Strategic Group.
Ian Wells
Ian Wells has extensive consulting and senior management experience in large and medium scale IT environments over a diverse range of industries and companies.
Ian has developed innovative strategies to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of IT service delivery for organisations across financial services, customer management services, retail, insurance, telecommunications, airlines, oil, utilities, manufacturing industries and federal, state and local governments. Within this context, he has directed and managed large outsourcing and service contracts; managed large-scale IT operational environments; managed large teams of staff, and directed multiple concurrent IT projects. He has also been responsible for the development and delivery of both short and long term strategic plans and change in large and complex environments.
Ian has recently undertaken business and IT readiness assessments for the implementation of the State and Local Government’s electronic planning applications strategy, and determining the business requirements for Southern Health’s surgical clinical audit program. He is also a seasonal lecturer at three Australian universities, lecturing in professional ethics, international business management and IT strategy.
Ian is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society and is Vice Chairman of the Victorian ACS State Board. He also has responsibility for the ACS Victoria CIO program. He has an MBA and is currently studying for a doctorate, researching ICT governance within company boards.