Gareth Evans

ceo, farra engineering

Before moving to Dunedin to take up the role of CEO at Farra Engineering in 2017 Gareth had a background in Hi-Tech companies and in manufacturing across NZ, Australia, and the United States.

Gareth started his career in software engineering, before moving through various project and operational management roles and gaining a Master of Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management in Sydney in 2012. With a reputation for not sitting still, Gareth’s passion is for growing and improving the companies he works for.

Outside of work Gareth’s interests include good food, travel, skiing, and scuba diving.

Sarah Ramsay

CEO, united machinists

Sarah and her husband Alex Ramsay own Dunedin niche manufacturing machine shop United Machinists. United machines high precision components for some of New Zealand’s leading high tech exporters.

In early 2019 Sarah joined United full-time as CEO to oversee the company’s expansion, adoption of new ERP software and business improvement strategies. Sarah is a Chartered Professional Director and the 2018 winner of the Westpac Otago Future Business Leader Award. Prior to joining United Sarah ran her own successful marketing agency and had an early career within the investment banking and commercial property sectors both in NZ and Australia.

Sarah, Alex and their son Finlay live off the grid in a forest 30 minutes South of Dunedin.

Gareth Dykes

CEO, FI Innovations

Gareth along with his with wife Melissa Dykes own FI Innovations, an award winning company based in Invercargill. FI Innovations started in 2002 with one employee and one customer, today they serve clients throughout Australasia with a diversified range of products and services from custom manufacturing of high end composites to 3D design and product development. 

Gareth is a self confessed “lean manufacturing fanatic” and has overseen the lean programme since 2009. Continual improvement and change has been engrained into the business and into the team culture. Gareth holds a Level 4 qualification in both Composites and Resin Flooring and has been a part of the Composites Association of New Zealand executive team since 2016. 

Away from work, Gareth enjoys spending time with his three active sons, squash, disc golf and mountain biking.

Adam Liberatore

Lecturer Otago Polytechnic

In 2020, Adam shifted careers to lecturing at Otago Polytechnic.  He teaches across mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.  Before teaching, he worked in non-destructive testing ultrasound, fuel cells, medical instruments, and home appliance industries among others.  His roles have been varied from product development all the way through to manufacturing, creating and building many new and unique products.    

Originally from Chicago, IL, USA, he moved to New Zealand in 2013.  Having never spent more than 3 years in any one location as an adult, he loves calling Dunedin home.  Adam and his family enjoy biking and tramping all the natural locations around.