Paul Dowd has a professional career spanning more than 40 years, primarily in the private sector, but also served in the Public Sector as head of the Victorian Mines and Petroleum Departments during the Kennett State Government.

Paul is currently Managing Director of Phoenix Copper (PNX), a Non-Executive Board Member OZ Minerals Limited (OZL) and Macarthur Coal Limited (MCC); a member of the Training and Skills Commission and serves as an Advisory Board member for CSIRO, Mineral Resources Sector, Sustainable Minerals Institute of University of Queensland and SAMPEG, (South Australian Minerals and Petroleum Experts Group).

Raymond Garrand is the Chief Executive of DFEEST.

Prior to this Raymond had 4 years' experience as Chief Executive of the Department of Trade and Economic Development.

Mr Garrand is an Honours Economics Graduate from Flinders University and has extensive experience in both the private sector and Government working with a number of major mining projects in Queensland and as a board member of an international Mining Engineering Company.

Mr Garrand has worked for two decades at the highest levels of Government in Australia with experience with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra and as an economic advisor to Governments in South Australia and Queensland.

Janet Giles is the Secretary of SA Unions, the peak trade union body in South Australia.

She currently sits on the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Executive, She is a member of the Training and Skills Commission and also chairs the Adult and Community Education Reference Group of the Commission.

She is a member of the Safe Work SA Advisory Committee and a director of Statewide Superannuation.

Paul Heithersay leads the PIRSA division of Minerals and Energy Resources.

The division manages the state's mineral, gas and petroleum resources on behalf of the people of South Australia.

Prior to joining the Public Service in South Australia in 2002, Paul Heithersay spent over 20 years in the mining industry in Australia and Southeast Asia for North Limited and its predecessor Geopeko. As Exploration Manager for Australasia, Europe and Africa, his responsibilities covered all aspects of exploration and mine development.

Paul Heithersay is currently a Board Member of Auscope. He is also on the Industry Advisory panel for the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Adelaide and the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences Advisory Board.

Brian is a qualified Metallurgist with approximately twenty two years of experience in the mineral processing industry.

Brian has had approximately eight years' experience as Manager of base metals concentrators, as well as several years managing business improvement, occupational health and environment, training, and employee relations.

Brian fulfilled the role of Senior Site Executive under the Queensland Mines Act for four years at Thalanga Mine site in Queensland, joined Oxiana in 2006 and is currently the General Manager and Responsible Officer at Prominent Hill for OZ Minerals Pty Ltd.

Brian completed his first degree here in South Australia - where he is delighted to have returned to live.