Board of Directors

Chair

Mr David Turner

David Turner holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering Science and Master of Business Administration.

David holds the position of Technical Director at the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS). He is responsible for the NATA accredited testing and inspection services associated with explosion protected equipment used in underground coal mines and in other gas or dust explosive environments.

Previously, David was the authorised representative and directly responsible for the operation of all Energex’s NATA accredited laboratories covering electrical, temperature and humidity calibrations and measurement and for Energex’s NATA inspection accreditation.

David’s association with NATA goes back over 20 years through the management of accredited laboratories covering five separate fields of accreditation and inspection services, including the roles of signatory and authorised representative. He was elected to the Council in 2001 as a Members’ Representative for Queensland and continued to represent the Queensland members on Council to June 2013.

Vice Chair

Dr Sanmarié Schlebusch

Sanmarié Schlebusch has a number of qualifications in medicine and business. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, an Associate Fellow of the College of Health Services Management, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She is the Chief Medical and Genomics Microbiologist for Forensic and Scientific Services, Health Support Queensland. She is also one of the medical microbiologists at Pathology Queensland. Previously she was the Director of Microbiology of Mater Pathology, Mater Misericordiae Ltd. Brisbane. Her clinical expertise includes Water Quality Management, Public Health, and Infection Prevention and Control. She is well published and recognized for her research and expertise in innovative technologies for diagnosis of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. She is currently undertaking research on the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome using a metagenomic approach. She further contributes to translational medicine and research as senior lecturer with the University of Queensland.

Sanmarié is a Board Member and was previously the Treasurer for Women’s Health Queensland Inc. She has served in a number of management and governance roles within the health industry.

She is an experienced medical practitioner and pathologist and brings insights in contemporary diagnostics including microbial genomics. She joined the NATA Board in 2018.

Dr Mark Burgess

Mark Burgess is an experienced technology manager with over 25 years’ involvement leading NATA accredited laboratories. He has a background in electronics and scientific instrumentation, and more recently, specialising in fire safety, holding senior positions in Australia’s manufacturing sector.

He holds a PhD for research in regulatory development, a Masters in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In his current role as Director, Infrastructure Technologies for CSIRO, Mark leads science teams covering a diversified range of testing, accreditation and certification services.

An active member of NATA Council from 2009-2014, he also participates in the Commonwealth and National Agency Standing Forum. Mark fulfils a number of other advisory roles including Councillor for Standards Australia, Member of the Australian Board Building Codes Committee, and alternate member on the Victorian Heritage Council.

Ms Tracey Hoitink

Tracey Hoitink is an experienced leader in pathology operations management with more than 20+ years’ working within pathology for both private and public providers. Tracey has a background in Microbiology where she worked as a scientist for many years before changing to administrative management operations within pathology. Tracey has specialist knowledge in pathology quality management, risk management and business continuity, and work health and safety management.

In her current role as an Operations Manager she is known for seeing a future and building a path towards it, utilising resources wisely, being agile and decisive in decision making and building lasting change and a culture of accountability.

Tracey has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Science, a Diploma in Risk Management and Business Continuity and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration working towards an MBA.

Mr Eric Swayn

Eric holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sc) and a Graduate Certificate in Management.

Eric has been in the pathology industry since 1999 working as a scientist, laboratory manager and senior executive. This has included the establishment of new facilities, consolidation of facilities and the introduction of advanced technologies.

Eric is a multi-disciplined scientist with a passion for operations, quality, technology and business development. He has been instrumental in the pursuit of workflow efficiencies and best practice approaches to laboratory operations.

Eric is currently CEO South Australia and Northern Territory and National Procurement Manager at Australian Clinical Labs and is based in Adelaide.

Mr Giacomo Collica

Giacomo holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and is a recognised industry leader throughout Australia in air emission monitoring applications. His leadership has shaped and improved industry measurement and monitoring principles as well as training standards.

He is an active member on a number of Boards and committees and previously a member on the Australian Standards Development Group for Ambient Air Measurement (EV-007) and Stationary Source Sampling Method Development (EV-007-01). Giacomo is also a past member of the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Air Emission Testing Committee.

He is a Certified Lead Laboratory Auditor, specialist NATA assessor for chemical laboratory practices and air emissions applications and has contributed to the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation’s Industry Self-Monitoring Committee (CEMS) which introduced the WA CEMS Code.

Additional expertise and formal certifications include being a Chartered Chemist (C.Chem); USEPA air emission measurement method author in North Carolina (USA); and holds membership with The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI).

Giacomo is a member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (MAIOH) and a Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP). Giacomo is also a past President of the Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand (WA Branch).

Giacomo is also an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is completing a Post Graduate Law Degree at Notre Dame University.

Dr Jillian Disint

Jillian Disint is an experienced senior manager in the scientific field with more than 30+ years’ working within research institutions and the commercial sector. Jillian has a background in Microbiology and Immunology and has worked in roles in vaccine research, animal health products, human pharmaceuticals, food safety and has for many years had roles in senior management within the commercial laboratory testing field. Jillian has specialist knowledge in quality management, risk management and business continuity, environment management and work health and safety management.

In her current role as an Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Director for the Pacific region of a multi-national company, Jillian seeks to maximise efficiency in management systems across a diverse range of business lines and functions and maintain all areas of her remit at a high standard of compliance and build a strong culture of ethics and integrity.  Strategic decision making and planning form an important focus of this role.

Jillian has a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and a PhD, with the research topic being centred on immunological processes involved with vaccine responses.

Become a member

Benefits of being a NATA accredited organisation

NATA accredits organisations to perform testing and inspection activities for their products and services. This gives consumers the assurance they need to make safe, healthy and reliable choices. When you choose to become NATA accredited, you can be sure of a number of competitive advantages for your business.
Assurance
NATA members receive a globally-recognised, peer-reviewed and government endorsed accreditation that provides a unique level of assurance to members, their clients and the community.
Competence
Our accreditation provides an independent benchmark for technical competence. Receiving NATA accreditation demonstrates to customers your organisation’s commitment to quality, safety and reliability of products and services.
Recognition
NATA accreditation is both nationally and internationally recognised. This provides a competitive advantage when compared to non-accredited organisations and ensures you are market-ready to capitalise on trade opportunities.
Training
NATA has been training individuals and teams both nationally and internationally for over 20 years and enjoys a global reputation for the quality of its courses and programs. Our active role in international accreditation education has seen us conduct training in over 20 countries.
International
NATA’s long standing and active involvement with international groups enables our members to gain international recognition for their accreditation and minimises the need for multiple assessments from different suppliers.
Innovation
NATA provides innovative and timely business solutions that meet the needs of our members and fulfil the expectations of the community. We have the experience and resources to ensure your accreditation provides you and your organisation with unique advantages.