The ADF’s most senior female officer has been appointed to head Airservices Australia as the air traffic control provider rolls out a five-year, $1 billion spending program.
Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Staib will take over as Airservices CEO on October 15, replacing acting chief Andrew Clark. Former Airservices CEO Greg Russell abruptly resigned in May amid a flurry of news reports over his high salary and expenses spending.
The ADF’s senior logistician, AVM Staib serves as Commander Joint Logistics and played a key role in implementing a $2.4 billion logistics reform program under the 2009 Defence White Paper, Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement announcing her appointment.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Staib who brings over three decades of military experience in aviation, logistics and procurement management to this position,” Mr Albanese said, adding that AVM Staib was the unanimous choice of the selection committee.
“As Commander Joint Logistics, Air Vice-Marshal Staib planned, coordinated and delivered logistics support for Australian Defence Force operations and exercises overseas and in our own backyard,” Mr Albanese continued. “This includes everything from food resupply to troop movements for our 77,000 personnel serving domestically and overseas.”
Airservices is in the midst of a capital expenditure program to replace and upgrade vital air traffic infrastructure and improve aerodrome rescue and firefighting services.
A wholly government-owned statutory authority, Airservices manages about 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and some three million flights carrying 75 million passengers each year.
