Executive Team
Robert S. Langford – Chairman & Non Executive Director
Joining the Blue Reef Corporation's board in September 2010, Robert has more than three decades experience in the IT industry with a proven track record of creating and unlocking value in I.T and other business ventures. Robert started his IT career in 1978 as an analyst for Royal Insurance in Melbourne.
From there, Robert progressed through the IT development ranks as system analyst and computer systems architect. In 1988 he worked as a senior development manager at Mobil Oil Europe, responsible for system rollouts in various European countries. In 1993 Robert returned to Australia to head up SAP’s consulting group in Melbourne. In 1998 he co founded a consulting company in Melbourne and 12 months later a sister company in the US. These combined entities grew from 6 to 300 employees before being listed on the NASDAQ as BrightStar Information Systems, at a capitalisation of US$200 million. After the BrightStar float Robert took on a number of directorships and advisory positions including Baan Business Systems, TIG international, ASAP Australia and Network Box.
Robert M. Smyth – Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
A seasoned and successful entrepreneur, Rob Smyth has overseen Blue Reef Corporation’s strategic development, operations and strong year-on-year growth since founding the business in 2002. Instrumental in raising venture capital and recruiting and enabling a professional management team, Rob continues to drive company strategy and growth.
In the 6 years immediately prior to starting Blue Reef, Rob successfully established, grew and exited two start-up ventures, starting his first ITC company, Globeconnect Telecomm, in 1996. As founder and CEO, he successfully developed and executed the company's business plan to become one of Australia’s first multi-vendor GSM distribution businesses. In 1999 Rob co-founded and served as CEO of Impaq, which under his stewardship became Australia’s second largest privately held ISP/ Managed Services business. Between 1988 and 1996, Rob held executive sales and business development roles at Link Telecommunications, Canon Australia and the Konica Group UK.
Guy Lupo – Chief Technology Officer
Guy is an internationally recognised products and technology strategist with over 20 years experience in the information technology, identity management, security, governance, risk & compliance and education markets. Technology visionary and seasoned ITC leader, Guy joined Blue Reef Corporation in February 2009 as the company's Chief Technology Officer.
Prior to joining Blue Reef, Guy held senior executive roles in several leading security and GRC multinational vendors and early stage venture backed companies. These included, Director of Product Management (Security Compliance) for Computer Associates inc., Product Line Manager for Identity Management and Compliance with BMC Software, Director of Products (Information Leak Prevention) with Port Authority (now Websense), Senior Software Security Architect with Cisco & Microsoft and Product Manager for Endpoint Security at Checkpoint Technologies.
Danny Gruber - Chief Operating Officer
Danny brings to Blue Reef 20 years' IT experience in customer service and product management. He has led the design and launch of globally relevant web based products and managed services.Danny began his career selling and implementing ERP solutions with Dun and Bradstreet Software and led the services team in rolling out the company's first mainframe to client server transition for major global brands. Danny spent the next 8 years implementing managed unified communication services with Polycom, Cisco and Radvision for clients such as Pacific Dunlop, BHP and Telstra.The last 7 years has seen Danny start his own digital media software company. He has won awards in Australia and the USA for his innovative personalisation technology. Danny managed the product strategy, operations and software development, and worked with the largest digital media companies such Google, Yahoo and MSN. Danny holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computing and Mathematics.
Stephen Hoy - Sales and Marketing Director
Stephen is a solution sales specialist with more than 15 years' experience in B2B sales of technology-based professional services. With significant experience in selling tailored solutions to ASX200 businesses, Stephen specialises in business and sales strategy and client relationship management. Stephen is responsible for leading and managing the Blue Reef team to deliver value, quality and consistency to each client. In his time prior to Blue Reef, Stephen successfully grew the sales function of technology-based business Wishlist Holdings until the company was acquired by Qantas in June 2011. Prior to that, Stephen enjoyed various sales and client service roles within Fairfax and Tabcorp. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business from Swinburne University
Mat McDonald – Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
Mat has extensive accounting, corporate finance and advisory expertise and experience. Commencing his career with Price Waterhouse Coopers, Mat has worked in a corporate advisory capacity for the last 9 years, focusing on capital raising, mergers, acquisitions and other transactional work. During this time he has been involved in a range of successful transactions for clients in diverse sectors and at various stages of development.
Solutions
