Experienced, Dedicated, Focused On What Matters
Board Members
Ian provides independent governance oversight to AMHTO, bringing extensive experience across infrastructure, transport, and regional operations throughout South Australia.
He has worked across rail, powerline, and heavy machinery environments, including roles as a train driver, truck driver, and site superintendent. As a long-term business owner and father of seven, he combines operational capability with strong leadership and community presence.
Ian supports planning and coordination across regional projects, with strengths in organising people, aligning businesses, and delivering outcomes.
Respected for his calm and approachable nature, he brings a grounded presence that strengthens governance, structure, and positive culture across AMHTO.
Teena Martinac is a Bunbury-based professional with experience in administration, governance support, and local government operations. She has supported formal governance processes, taken structured meeting minutes, and contributed to decision-making forums. Teena has also represented staff on an Occupational Health and Safety Board, supporting workplace safety and structured compliance.
As former Secretary for Soroptimist Bunbury, she demonstrated strong organisation, communication, and reliability in managing documentation and coordination.
Teena brings attention to detail, discretion, and a commitment to supporting structured, compliant operations, contributing to the consistency and integrity of AMHTO’s governance and reporting systems.
Ivan Martinac is a mechanical fitter with over 40 years’ experience across construction and industrial environments, supported by a background in farming, tiling, and engineering businesses.
Elected by his peers as a union delegate, Ivan is known for his integrity, clear judgement, and commitment to maintaining safety and standards in high-risk environments.
Beyond industry, Ivan brings significant lived experience, having navigated personal challenges and rebuilt stability through discipline, work, and accountability. He uses this experience to mentor others, demonstrating that change is achievable through structured effort.
Ivan supports participants to build capability and stability, drawing on his own experience to show that with structure and effort, progress is achievable.
Chris Grom brings over 20 years of experience across rigging, scaffolding, and crane operations within FIFO environments, working in high-risk, safety-critical conditions where reliability, discipline, and site standards are non-negotiable.
Alongside his trade background, Chris has spent the past 12 years studying and practicing holistic and trauma-informed approaches, including Reiki, shamanic practice, and meditation. He is trained in suicide prevention and operates as a peer support worker.
He has direct experience working with individuals from correctional backgrounds, supporting them to stabilise, rebuild structure, and develop the behaviours required to re-engage with work and community.
Chris bridges a critical gap between industry and individual capability — combining real-world site experience with practical methods to help people regain control, build consistency, and move forward.
Within AMHTO, he contributes to building structured pathways that support individuals to stabilise, develop capability, and transition into employment with greater reliability and preparedness.
Barry Kaesler is the Riverland-based site owner and Co-Founder of AMHTO, bringing over 20 years’ experience across construction and leadership roles, supported by deep regional knowledge. Raised on a broad acre mixed farm, Barry developed strong foundations in machinery, problem-solving, and practical work, progressing into leadership positions within the construction industry.
Through lived experience navigating personal and psychosocial challenges, Barry identified the need for structured, practical pathways for people experiencing instability. Drawing on construction-based hazard control principles, he co-developed AMHTO as a system-focused model.
Barry continues to operate his building business while working full-time within AMHTO, providing local leadership grounded in accountability, structure, and real-world delivery.
Brett Zerna is the Founder and Director of AMHTO, with experience across FIFO and high-risk industries including mining, gas, and construction. Working alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds, he developed a strong systems-based approach where safety, planning, and accountability are non-negotiable.
Through firsthand experience, Brett recognised the real impacts of burnout and the gaps in current mental health responses. Drawing on WHS principles and the Hierarchy of Controls, he developed AMHTO to address risk earlier through structured environments.
Surrounded by high-performing professionals by choice, Brett leads with a focus on action, accountability, and delivering meaningful, immediate impact.
Brett and Co-Founder Barry Kaesler first worked together in FIFO operations over a decade ago, forming a shared understanding of high-risk work environments and workforce/Life style pressures that now underpin the AMHTO model.
Alison Zerna, oversee’s financial governance while checking the implementation of structured, Tier 1-aligned safety systems. Her role ensures strong accountability, compliance, and consistency across all operations.
Alison began her career as a trade-qualified hairdresser by age 18 before transitioning into heavy industry. She spent 12 years at the Whyalla Steelworks, progressing into a senior operator role across both production and administrative functions, while also acting as a Safety Representative contributing to site safety systems and workforce accountability.
After relocating to Perth, Alison became the first female top operator in Cockburn Cement’s 80-year history, working within a safety-critical environment alongside engineers and operational teams. She is known for her consistent application of safety standards, including exercising stop-work authority where required, reinforcing that safety and risk control are non-negotiable.
Within AMHTO, Alison embeds structured safety and operational discipline into daily delivery, ensuring participants operate within real-world standards and are prepared for transition into external worksites.
Operations
Daniel Gaspari brings lived experience, resilience, and a genuine understanding of behavioural change into his role with AMHTO. Having navigated significant personal challenges early in life, Daniel made a deliberate decision to change direction — building stability, accountability, and a strong foundation for himself and his family.
He has since developed extensive experience working in high-intensity, forensic, and trauma-informed environments, supporting both adolescents and adults. Daniel has held frontline, coordination, and leadership roles, overseeing teams and implementing behaviour support plans alongside multidisciplinary professionals.
Within AMHTO, Daniel leads behavioural support and participant development, focusing on stabilising individuals, resetting mindset, and building the structure required for consistent performance. His approach is grounded, practical, and outcome-focused — helping people level up and re-engage with work and life in a sustainable way.
Chris rolandson is a qualified boilermaker with extensive hands-on experience across fabrication, equipment repair, and regional industrial environments. He began his career in Mount Gambier, South Australia, completing his apprenticeship in the manufacture and maintenance of timber handling equipment before travelling and working across multiple regions of Australia.
In his early years, Chris was a high-performing equestrian competitor, achieving state-level success in show jumping and competing in open-class events from a young age.
Following a life-changing diagnosis, Chris has drawn on resilience and lived experience to reshape his path, bringing a grounded and practical perspective to mentorship.
He now contributes to AMHTO by supporting participants through skill development, guidance, and real-world insight, with a strong focus on capability, persistence, and leading by example.
Sarah McGlinchey supports AMHTO in an operational and financial control capacity, bringing experience from the Pilbara across cost control, reporting, and structured project environments.
She specialises in implementing systems that ensure financial oversight, accountability, and auditable reporting aligned with high-standard operational requirements.
Known for her consistency and integrity, Sarah delivers on commitments and maintains disciplined control across processes. Alongside her systems capability, she brings a strong ability to positively influence mindset and engagement, supporting individuals to redirect thinking and remain aligned with structured pathways and outcomes.
Trent Mules has over nine years of FIFO experience working across demanding industrial and high-risk environments throughout Australia. Proven in pressure-driven conditions, Trent has built his reputation on reliability, work ethic, and consistently delivering outcomes where it matters most.
Through his time working FIFO, Trent has developed a deep understanding of site operations, safety systems, and the realities faced by workers on the ground. His experience has also given him firsthand insight into the impact of burnout, fatigue, and lifestyle pressures that come with sustained high-performance environments.
As a strong advocate for better outcomes across the workforce, Trent is committed to improving how workers arrive on site—physically, mentally, and operationally prepared to perform at their best. He understands that better prepared workers lead to safer sites, stronger teams, and higher-quality delivery for clients.
Within AMHTO, Trent plays a key role as a mentor, bringing lived experience and practical knowledge into the development of individuals. He strongly believes that training must be done properly—taking the time to explain, guide, and ensure true understanding, not just task completion.
Trent operates with a clear focus on accountability, structure, and continuous improvement. He is confident in speaking up, identifying gaps, and contributing to better systems that support both people and performance.
Chris Grom brings over 20 years of experience across rigging, scaffolding, and crane operations within FIFO environments, working in high-risk, safety-critical conditions where reliability, discipline, and site standards are non-negotiable.
Alongside his trade background, Chris has spent the past 12 years studying and practicing holistic and trauma-informed approaches, including Reiki, shamanic practice, and meditation. He is trained in suicide prevention and operates as a peer support worker.
He has direct experience working with individuals from correctional backgrounds, supporting them to stabilise, rebuild structure, and develop the behaviours required to re-engage with work and community.
Chris bridges a critical gap between industry and individual capability — combining real-world site experience with practical methods to help people regain control, build consistency, and move forward.
Within AMHTO, he contributes to building structured pathways that support individuals to stabilise, develop capability, and transition into employment with greater reliability and preparedness.
Jamie Elefson is a father of three who began his career in concrete construction straight out of school, bringing early enthusiasm, strong work ethic, and a commitment to doing things well. He has progressed from hands-on roles into site coordination and management across remote construction projects, including community developments in the Northern Territory.
Working in isolated environments and living in the NT for 13 years, Jamie’s developed strengths in planning, subcontractor coordination, and delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget.
A football coach and active community contributor, he understands the importance of structure, positive environments, and rewarding effort.
Jason is AMHTO’s Safety Manager and a qualified Trainer and Assessor, bringing over eight years’ experience delivering training across mining and construction environments. A father of three who has lived and worked throughout South Australia in slew cranes, he combines strong industry knowledge with a practical, people-focused approach.
Jason is responsible for supporting structured training pathways within AMHTO, including preparation for industry-recognised certifications such as White Card and plant operation competencies, delivered in alignment with approved training providers.
He is known for his keen eye for detail and ability to identify positive shifts in behaviour, supporting individuals to build safer work practices and consistent routines.
Training within AMHTO is delivered through structured preparation and supported pathways, with formal certification undertaken through approved external providers, with capability expanding over time through aligned training partnerships and structured program development.
Chris Abbott is a father of four, business owner, and experienced mechanical fitter with a background across mining and high-demand shift environments. He has progressed from hands-on roles to workshop management, overseeing operations, staff, and delivery before returning to the tools.
Chris delivers work to a standard that earns respect across the industry, with the ability to diagnose, repair, or fabricate solutions to keep operations moving. He brings advanced capability in precision machining and lathe work, combined with a calm, practical approach and a commitment to teaching others.
With a strong interest in building, renovating, and investing, Chris is focused on sharing the knowledge he has developed to support capability, lifestyle, and long-term outcomes.
Matt King brings a strong, practical background across hospitality, tourism, and community engagement, alongside experience as a business owner and exporter of handmade products. His work reflects a commitment to quality, consistency, and delivering to real-world standards.
With over 28 years involved in boxing and Muay Thai, Matt has developed discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the connection between physical activity, mental health, and personal development.
He is actively involved in the Whyalla community, including supporting the Good Samaritan Inn through food donations and running independent fundraisers for individuals facing medical hardship. Matt is also preparing to launch local burger pop-ups aimed at creating conversation and awareness around men’s mental health and addiction.
For the past six years, Matt has taken part in the Push-Up Challenge, helping raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention — reflecting his consistent commitment to making a real impact beyond words.
Within AMHTO, Matt leads the culinary component as the organisation’s chef, delivering hands-on training in a real commercial environment. Through this role, he supports participants in developing practical trade skills, strengthening confidence, and building capability before transitioning into external work placements.
Matt represents a genuine level-up from his own past experiences and brings lived understanding into everything he does. He is focused on helping others build structure, capability, and direction — supporting people to level up and move forward with purpose.
Benjamin “Chicky” Chick is a high-voltage electrician experienced in live HV switching for leading Australian energy providers, working across some of the country’s most remote and demanding environments. Raised in Broken Hill during its thriving years, he brings a strong connection to regional communities and understands the value of small-town support networks.
A natural leader, Ben has stepped away from a supervisory role to work full-time with AMHTO as a behavioural mentor and program development lead. He is passionate about training and planning, setting high standards and building capable, work-ready individuals who take pride in what they do.
Rachael is AMHTO’s Social Services Officer, bringing over 20 years’ experience supporting individuals and families across regional South Australia. A mother of seven, she combines strong community understanding with a practical, people-first approach to support and engagement.
Rachael plays a key role in participant wellbeing, providing guidance, support, and structured engagement aligned with AMHTO’s delivery model. She supports individuals to stabilise, build routine, and re-engage within structured environments.
Working alongside the broader team, Rachel contributes to creating a safe, supportive setting that reinforces accountability, trust, and positive progression.
Industry Support