Corporate
VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd is overseen by a Board of Directors with diverse expertise in all aspects of the company's business. Board members are well supported by a skilled Senior Management Team, which directs the day-to-day operations of a dedicated workforce.
Board Members
Kees founded Van Ek Contracting (now VEC Civil Engineering) in 1994. With his inspiration and guidance, the company became a leading civil engineering and construction business in Tasmania and Victoria - renowned for its innovative approach to bridge building, road and rail works. His expertise in civil engineering has seen VEC expand its activity across Southern Australia and the South Pacific and, in his current role as Executive Chairman of the company, he remains its guiding influence.
BRAD KLAFFER - MANAGING DIRECTOR
Brad has worked in the construction industry for the last decade as Chief Financial Officer of Hazell Bros, a prominent Tasmanian civil engineering company. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in accounting and corporate governance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Directors (GAICD). Brad brings to the company his specialist and practical knowledge of the financial aspects of civil engineering. He holds the positions of Director and Company Secretary of VEC and works within the company as a member of the Senior Management Team.
Bob has broad business and management experience and brings to VEC his special expertise in executive coaching and human resources. He has a B.Sc.Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Newcastle in NSW, is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CP Eng). Bob has also completed studies in marketing, finance and human resource management, is a member of the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) and holds a number of board positions.
Gordon is the Principal of Imagine Partnership, a management consultancy with a focus on the construction and manufacturing sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Surveying, an MBA from the University of Tasmania and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Gordon has held several senior management positions in the public and private sectors, including General Manager of a vehicle manufacturing company. He brings to the company expertise in strategic planning, systems and process.
Nick serves on number of Boards and Board Committees and until December 2009 was Company Secretary and CFO of Tassal Group Limited. He brings to the company contemporary expertise in governance, financial management, risk management, M&A and strategic planning and execution.
Nick is a Commerce graduate of the University of Tasmania, respective Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Chartered Secretaries Australia and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, as well as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Company Auditor.
David has 38 years’ experience in the engineering and construction industry working for government and major contracting organisations in Australia and Hong Kong, which included 21 years with the Leighton Group, 10 years as General Manager of Thiess’s VIC/TAS/SA/NZ operations and six years as the manager to Evans and Peck’s infrastructure advisory business in Victoria.
David’s direct construction experience includes dams, tunnels, roads, bridges, rail, sporting arena, hospitals, prisons, schools, mine infrastructure and mining developments.
