The Secretary of the Department of Defence, Dr Ian Watt has advised the Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare of the retirement of Dr Stephen Gumley as the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
Dr Gumley’s retirement will take effect from Thursday 7 July 2011 after more than seven-and- a-half years in one of the most difficult and challenging jobs in Government.
Mr Smith and Mr Clare said that Dr Gumley has done a difficult job very well. This was recognised in 2010 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours.
Dr Gumley was appointed as the CEO of the DMO in 2004 and in 2005 oversaw the transition of the organisation to an Australian Government prescribed agency.
As Australia’s largest project manager, the DMO is responsible for more than 200 major projects each worth more than $20 million and 120 minor projects.
Dr Gumley has led significant reforms to Defence procurement, including the recommendations of the Kinnaird and Mortimer Reviews and significant contracting reforms which has led to a reduction of the schedule slippage of around 20 to 25 per cent.
He has also led a program to increase the professionalism of the DMO.
Over the past seven-and-a-half years he has managed the delivery of significant military equipment to the ADF including Super Hornets, Abrams Tanks, Bushmasters, C-17s and has overseen Australia’s involvement in the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
As a result of the changes he has led Dr Gumley leaves the Defence organisation in a much stronger position than when he commenced.
Prior to being appointed as the CEO of the DMO, Dr Gumley had 20 years of international commercial and project management experience. He was CEO of the Australian Submarine Corporation, Vice President of Boeing based in Seattle and the CEO of a number of research, development, manufacturing and exporting corporations.
The Government thanks Dr Gumley for his significant contribution.
Mr Warren King, the Deputy CEO of the DMO, will take up the position of Acting CEO of the DMO on Dr Gumley’s departure. The position of the CEO DMO will be advertised by the Secretary of the Department of Defence in coming weeks.
Mr Smith’s Office: Andrew Porter 0419 474 392
Mr Clare’s Office: Korena Flanagan 0418 251 316
