Executive Team
Ben Pieyre
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director
Mr. Pieyre joined Boom in September 2019 and has over 18 years of experience in the crane hire industry at a national and international level, commencing his career as a fleet controller before establishing his role in senior management. Prior to joining Boom Mr. Pieyre served in senior leadership positions within the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies. He has extensive operational experience specializing in Civil Construction, Industrial Services and Maintenance Sectors, as well as HR/IR and Engineering.
Mr. Pieyre is an active participant in working to promote a safe and sustainable crane industry and is currently the President of the Crane Industry Council of Australia.
Mr. Pieyre holds an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management and French qualifications in Business Management, Human Resources, Commerce and Marketing. Since the date of appointment, Mr. Pieyre has not held any otherASX listed public company Directorships.
Emmanuel (Manny) Bikakis
Chief Financial Officer
B. Bus (Accounting & Business Law), CPA, MAICD
Manny joined BOOM in December 2022
Manny has widespread experience across the Property Development & Major Projects industries, Petrochemicals internationally (both at BP & PPG), and the Agricultural sector, where he’s driven key financial & cultural turnarounds. Manny brings extensive finance & business services skills, as well as broad commercial, strategic and operational knowledge. Manny is a Certified Practicing Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Business Law), Post Graduate in Management and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Reuben David
General Counsel & Company Secretary
B.Com, LLB (Hons), FGIA
Reuben joined BOOM in January 2022
Reuben joined Boom Logistics from Orica Limited where he most recently served as Acting General Counsel and Company Secretary for Orica’s West Australian Joint Ventures. Previously, Reuben served as Senior Legal Counsel at Bluescope Steel Limited, and before that he worked as a commercial lawyer with Minter Ellison and K&L Gates. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Senior Management Team
Lester Fernandez
Director of Operations
B Com (Finance)
Lester joined Boom Logistics as General Manager, West Coast, in September 2022 and has been in the crane hire industry since 2011. Currently serving as the Director of Operations at Boom Logistics, he oversees and optimises all operational activities across Australia. In this role, Lester focuses on strategic planning and execution to align operational capabilities with business objectives, driving growth and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
With a degree in Finance and tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Human Resources, and Management, Lester brings extensive experience in the Resources, Infrastructure, and Maintenance sectors. Additionally, his background in logistics and the aviation markets has equipped him with a broad perspective and versatile skills that enhance his ability to manage complex operations effectively. His industry knowledge, commercial acumen, and leadership capabilities significantly strengthen the Boom Logistics leadership team.
Angas Smyth
General Manager – Finance
B.Com, CPA
Angas joined the BOOM team in 2016 and previously served as the Company’s Commercial Manager prior to being appointed to General Manager – Finance in September 2022.
He has extensive experience in management of financial and commercial streams across the Company’s packages of works with his role being responsible for functional financial management & financial planning.
Angas is a Certified Practicing Accountant and works in unison with executive & state based management teams.
Rod Welfare
General Manager (East)
Rod has worked for BOOM since 2010, initially as a Supervisor, and has progressed through a small number of management roles during his tenure to his current role of General Manager (East).
Through extensive on the ground experience, Rod possesses the technical understanding & knowledge of ‘on the ground’ requirements to deliver projects & contractual requirements to our clients.
Within Rod’s role, he is responsible for the operational management of Queensland, Victoria and NSW Projects, Fleet Management and Inter-operational support.
Chris Vas
General Manager (West)
Chris is a seasoned leader with over 13 years of experience in the industrial services sector, specialising in cranes and rigging.
His extensive background encompasses regional contract project and team management, handling high-value, business-critical contracts across greenfield and brownfield projects in the mining and construction sectors. Christopher excels in strategic business planning, operational management, and the development and execution of growth initiatives, maintaining a strong focus on safety and stakeholder satisfaction.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from The University of Notre Dame Australia, complemented by an Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical).
His educational foundation in both biomedical science and mechanical engineering equips him with a unique blend of analytical and technical skills, which he has effectively applied throughout his career.
Shane McLaughlin
State Manager – NSW, VIC & Travel Towers
Shane joined BOOM in February 2022 and has extensive experience within the crane hire industry within Australia, having undertaken senior management roles within the sector for the past 17 years.
With extensive experience dealing with blue-chip clients and significant exposure in the management of Construction, Mining and Oil & Gas sectors, Shane has a full understanding of the compliance & performance expectations of these clients.
Arthur Ziolek
National Business Development Manager
B.Com, MBA (Supply Chain Management)
Arthur is a driven National Business Development Manager who has been with BOOM since 2016. He has over 20 years of experience, previously working for Leighton Contractors, Toll and DHL, in supply chain management and business development with significant expertise in supporting large-scale client construction & EPCM projects with their crane & support service requirements.
In his pivotal role, Arthur is responsible for the identification and development of project opportunities, maintaining industry relationships, formulating bid strategies and preparing bids and submissions.
Andrew Brooks
General Manager – Human Resources
Joining BOOM in November 2020, Andrew has extensive Human Resources management experience working within Construction, Mining & Infrastructure industry sectors focusing on Human Resources, Organisational Capability and Employee / Industrial Relations.
Being an experienced HR/IR Manager, Andrew adds significant value and industry understanding to our Senior Management Team to drive employee compliance & development, retention and social initiatives.
Chris Nicholls
General Manager – HSEQ
B.Com (Management), Grad Cert OHS
Chris joined BOOM in September 2023 to lead National Health, Safety, Environment & Quality functions.
Chris has over 15 years experience within the crane industry with over a decades experience within HSEQ leadership roles. Chris’s extensive experience stretches across the resources, construction and oil & Gas sectors throughout Australia.