About our Board

The CASA Board consists of the Chair (of the Board of Directors), 5 non-executive directors and the CEO and DAS.

The Board decides the objectives, strategies and policies that we will follow. They also ensure we perform our functions properly, efficiently and effectively. Besides their prescribed duties under our Act, the Board also receives specific direction through our minister’s Statement of Expectations.

Board members

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development appoints CASA Board members.

Air Chief Marshal (Ret’d) Mark Binskin AC: Chair of the CASA Board

Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Mark Binskin AC

Chair of the CASA Board

First appointed: 20 August 2021

Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Mark Binskin AC is a highly respected senior executive and leader in the national security, defence and aerospace sectors.

He was Chief of the Defence Force of Australia (2014-2018), Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011-2014) and Chief of Air Force (2008-2011).

Read more about Mark

He was:

  • Chief of the Defence Force of Australia (2014-2018)
  • Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011-2014)
  • Chief of Air Force (2008-2011).

In 2020, he was Chair of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

He is currently:

  • Chair of the Australia Pacific Security College Advisory Board
  • Deputy Chair of the Sir Richard Williams Foundation on the Boards:
    • Western Parkland City Authority
    • Australian International Military Games (Invictus Games Sydney 2018).
  • a member of the Governing Committee of the Temora Aviation Museum
  • Executive Director at BAE Systems Australia
  • Non-Executive Director at Nihon Cyber Defence.

As Chief of Defence, Mark successfully led the Australian Defence Force, comprising 80,000 permanent and reserve personnel, to:

  • significantly improve capabilities
  • responses to major global events
  • championed organisational change across areas of:
    • national security
    • culture
    • diversity
    • leadership performance.

He has provided national security advice to the highest levels of governments, industry leaders and international stakeholders, and his aerospace knowledge and expertise is extensive.

Mark was previously the ADF Airworthiness Authority and has over 3,500 hours in:

  • single seat fighter aircraft including the A-4G Skyhawk
  • Mirage 111O
  • F-16C and F/A-18 Hornet.

He continues to be active in general aviation and holds a commercial, RAAus and Remote pilot licence, and is a warbird owner.

He has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Hide profile

picture of Pip Spence PSM - Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety

Ms Pip Spence PSM

Board member

First appointed: 17 May 2021

Before joining CASA, Pip was the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Secretary for the Arts at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Before that she was the Deputy Secretary for Transport. In this role, Pip was responsible for aviation and airport policy and program matters.

Read more about Pip

Before that she was the Deputy Secretary for Transport. In this role, Pip was responsible for aviation and airport policy and program matters.

Pip has held senior leadership roles across the Australian Public Service. This includes:

  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • the then Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

In that role Pip was closely involved in establishing the National Broadband Network and the associated reform of telecommunications regulations.

Pip commenced her career in the Department of Transport and Communications, where she worked in a number of aviation-related areas. This included working in the office of the Minister for Transport.

Pip has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University.

Hide profile

Elizabeth Hallett GAICD - CASA Board member

Ms Elizabeth Hallett GAICD

Deputy Chair of the CASA Board

First appointed: 1 July 2020

Ms Elizabeth Hallett is an experienced non-executive director and chair of audit and risk committees in regulated sectors. This includes the financial services and infrastructure sectors.

Elizabeth was a corporate partner with an international law firm for 22 years, having held global and national leadership roles.

Read more about Elizabeth

This includes the financial services and infrastructure sectors.

Elizabeth was a corporate partner with an international law firm for 22 years, having held global and national leadership roles. From this experience Elizabeth brings:

  • legal
  • regulatory
  • corporate governance
  • risk management
  • strategy development skills and experience to the board.

Elizabeth is a non-executive director on the boards of:

  • Australian Retirement Trust
  • Lynch Group Holdings Ltd
  • NSW Land Registry Services
  • Clayton Utz.

Elizabeth is a reappointed member of the Australian Takeovers Panel, and sits on the Advisory Committee of the John Sample Group.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne. Elizabeth is a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors’ Course.

Hide profile

Dr Felipe Gonzalez, CASA Board member

Professor Felipe Gonzalez

Board member

First appointed: 23 March 2022

Felipe Gonzalez is a professor at Queensland University of Technology and a Chartered Professional Engineer.

He is an experienced advisor with a passion for innovation in aerial robotics and automation.

Read more about Felipe

He is an experienced advisor with a passion for innovation in aerial robotics and automation.

Felipe has been on a number of Boards including:

  • V-TOL Aerospace
  • Aspect UAV Imaging
  • Australian Spatial Analytics.

Felipe holds a private pilot licence and remotely piloted aircraft licence. He is the co-author of several books in uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and has published a large number of papers in remote and airborne sensing.

Felipe is a member of the:

  • Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
  • The Standards Australia SO/TC 20 (aircraft and space vehicles) and ISO/TC 20/SC 16 (unmanned aircraft systems) committees.

Hide profile

Jacqueline Korhonen BSc BEng(Hon) GAICD

Ms Jacqueline Korhonen BSc BEng(Hon) GAICD

Board member

First appointed: 7 February 2023

Jacqueline has over 30 years’ experience in the Information Technology, Telecommunications and Financial Services sectors.

Jacqueline has over 30 years’ experience in the Information Technology, Telecommunications and Financial Services sectors, where she built her career around transformation, P&L management, complex negotiations, project delivery, operations, strategy development and risk management.

Read more about Jacqueline

Jacqueline has over 30 years’ experience in the Information Technology, Telecommunications and Financial Services sectors, where she built her career around transformation, P&L management, complex negotiations, project delivery, operations, strategy development and risk management.

She started her career as an engineer in IBM where she spent 23 years living and working across Australia, New Zealand, ASEAN, India and China.

After leaving IBM, Jacqueline was appointed CEO of Infosys Australia and New Zealand, a position she held for six years. In the later years of her Executive career Jacqueline was the CEO of SMS Management &Technologies, an ASX listed IT Services company and subsequently returned to IBM as the Vice President of Cognitive Transformation Services across the Asia Pacific Region.

Jacqueline is now a non-executive director and board advisor. She was a non-executive director of NetComm Wireless (ASX: NTC) until 2019. She is currently a non-executive director of:

  • MLC Insurance
  • Auswide Bank (ASX: ABA)
  • Nuix Ltd (ASX:NXL)
  • .au Domain Administration (auDA)
  • Bapcor Limited

In addition, Jacqueline is a member of the Board of Chief Executive Women. 

Jacqueline holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Hide profile

Dr Tarryn Kille - CASA board member

Dr Tarryn Kille

Board member

First appointed: 9 October 2023

Tarryn is an aviation professional with extensive experience across aviation research, regulatory policy, and operations.

Commencing her career as a professional pilot and flight instructor, she is now an Associate Professor, Program Director and Head of Aviation at the University of Southern Queensland lecturing in aviation leadership, management, and safety.

Read more about Tarryn

Commencing her career as a professional pilot and flight instructor, she is now an Associate Professor, Program Director and Head of Aviation at the University of Southern Queensland lecturing in aviation leadership, management, and safety.  With a keen understanding of the significant technological transformation of the aviation industry, Tarryn's research and practice is grounded in skill and capability development for future aviation professionals.

Tarryn has a PhD in aviation sustainability and has served on CASA's Aviation Safety Advisory Panel, and the International Civil Aviation Organization's Operations Panel.

Tarryn is a member of:

  • The Royal Aeronautical Society
  • Women in Aviation.

Hide profile

CASA Board member - Adrian Verkerk

Mr Adrian Verkerk

Board member

First appointed: 16 May 2024

Adrian has more than 30 years of experience in high capacity airline operations, mostly in senior executive Engineering and Maintenance roles.

Read more about Adrian

Prior to that, he spent 10 years working in technical support and systems design functions supporting a wide range of military aircraft and engine types.

During his career, Adrian has held several key regulatory posts in the airline industry, including Head of Aircraft Airworthiness and Maintenance Control (HAAMC) and Continuous Airworthiness Manager (CAM). He was the Accountable Manager for the first Approved Design Organisation under the current CASR Part 21J regulations.

He has provided leadership for the implementation of formal safety management systems in engineering organisations and driven transformation programs focused on digitalisation, fuel efficiency, optimised maintenance strategies, cabin configuration and flight path planning.

Adrian has served on a number of international airline industry bodies including the Technical Committee of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) and vice chair of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Engineering and Maintenance Group.

He is keenly interested in implementing strategies to attract and retain talent to grow the aviation sector.

Adrian holds a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Hide profile

CASA Board Audit and Risk Committee

Section 45 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 requires CASA to have an audit committee.

The CASA Board determines the functions of the Audit and Risk Committee. This includes reviewing CASA's:

  • financial reporting
  • performance reporting
  • system of risk oversight and management
  • system of internal control.

CASA’s Audit and Risk Committee comprises 2 CASA Board members and 2 external independent contractors, one of whom is chair.

Read more in the CASA Board Audit and Risk Committee charter and governance arrangements (PDF 301.35 KB).

For more information, contact the CASA Board's secretariat.

Last updated:
6 Mar 2024
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//about-us/who-we-are/our-board/about-our-board
Back to top of page