SPEAKERS
Sharon Middleton AM
Whiteline Transport (Aust) PL
SARTA
Sharon is absolutely passionate about the Road Transport Industry and the Men and Women in it, having been in the game for 40 plus years. Not one to shy away from the tough issues, Sharon is a very effective advocate for the industry and its people and especially for the countless small to medium family trucking businesses that constitute 75% of the industry.
Sharon is Managing Director of Whiteline Transport, controlling the overall day-to-day operations of the East West Specialists, in addition to managing the other entities in the Whiteline Group. Sharon has significant driving experience of b doubles and road trains between Melbourne and Perth. Sharon has been the President of the South Australian Road Transport Association since 2011 having joined their Board in 2002, an Australian Trucking Association Board Member since 2016 and ATA General Council Member since 2011. She was awarded SA Contribution to Transport 2011, SARTA Life Membership 2022, 2013 National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year, Inducted into the Hall of Fame Alice Springs 2014, then in 2019 as an Icon. In 2019 Sharon was awarded the Order of Australia Medal and as Co-Founder of Foundation Shine has raised considerable funds for Mental Ill Health.
The Hon Emily Bourke MLC
Department for Infrastructure & Transport
Emily Bourke is a dedicated public servant and political leader, currently serving as a Member of the South Australian Legislative Council (MLC), representing the Australian Labor Party since March 2018.
Raised on a farm near Maitland on the Yorke Peninsula, Emily developed from an early age a strong sense of community and the importance of collaboration.
Her early career included roles in both State and Federal government, where she built a reputation for listening attentively to community needs, particularly for regional and marginalized constituencies.
In 2022, following the South Australian state election, Emily was appointed Assistant Minister to the Premier, and shortly thereafter was named Assistant Minister for Autism - making history in South Australia with this dedicated role. In early 2025, after a reshuffle, she assumed full ministerial responsibility for several key portfolios: Autism, Emergency Services & Correctional Services, and Recreation, Sport & Racing.
Most recently, she has also been appointed Minister for Infrastructure & Transport.
Andrew Excell
Department for Infrastructure & Transport
Andrew Excell has over 30 years experience in the areas of regional road operations, delivery of major infrastructure projects, metropolitan road network management and Portfolio, Program and Project Management. He has held various roles in Senior Management within DIT from the Regional Manager Metropolitan Region, Manager of Traffic Operations including the Traffic Management Centre, Director of the Portfolio, Program and Project Management Office, Director, Transport Network and Investment Strategy and currently Executive Director, Transport Strategy and Planning Division.
In his current role he is accountable for the development of longer-term strategies for the development of the transport system to improve mobility and productivity across South Australia and for developing a pipeline of viable infrastructure projects​
Chris Koniditsiotis
Chris K Phronesis
Chris Koniditsiotis is an advisor and consultant with over 40 years of experience across infrastructure, transport, energy, and digital transformation. He specialises in translating public policy and private sector initiatives into sustainable, practical outcomes.
Prior to consultancy, Chris held senior executive positions including Chief Executive Officer of Transport Certification Australia (TCA), Director of the World Bank’s automated road monitoring services initiative for the Indonesian Government, Project Director roles at Austroads and the National Transport Commission, and General Manager at the Australian Road Research Board.
A recognised leader in GPS and telematics, Chris played a pivotal role in establishing TCA as the national approver of systems and vendors on behalf of governments, regulators, and industry. He has also been called upon as an expert witness in court and continues to provide strategic guidance across complex, technology-driven projects.
Robert Cavicchiolo
Viva Energy Australia
Viva Energy has established a Carbon Solutions team, headed up by Carbon Solutions Manager Robert Cavicchiolo. The principal aim and mission of the team is to help the company’s customers on their decarbonisation journeys, supported by Viva Energy’s current and evolving mix of short, medium and long term products and solutions.
For decades the company has supplied a wide range of products and services to the Road Transport sector, including fuels, lubricants and technical advice. In alignment with the industry’s diverse needs, Cavicchiolo says delivering low and zero-emission products for its customers is a tangible next step.​
John Tsoulos
Global Business Camps
John Tsoulos is the lead Presenter for Global Business Camps. Having worked closely with businesses from different parts of the world, he has vast experience in applying business development programs producing excellent results.
John has presented at conferences, business building events, business camps and team building camps in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
In 2001, John developed the 6 Secrets ™ to any business, whilst creating the original business camp program. The event was first run in 2002 for 47 people and after 4 events held in South Australia, the events went to the National scale.
You will love his energy and drive and he will inspire you.​
Naomi Frauenfelder
Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds
Naomi Frauenfelder is Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds’ inaugural Chief Executive Officer. Naomi was previously Executive Director of the TrackSAFE Foundation – an Australian rail industry not-for-profit that addresses suicide on the rail network, and the resultant trauma caused to train drivers and other frontline staff. Naomi has spent her career to date honing her passion for working nationally to unite industries behind significant causes such as mental health, providing individuals and organisations with the resources they need to face challenges head-on and creating cultures of care and support. Naomi also holds a Bachelor and Masters from Monash University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Naomi is recognised for her collaborative approach, working closely with industry, government, and community stakeholders to ensure that mental health and wellbeing are prioritised across the supply chain. She is a sought-after speaker on the topics of workplace wellbeing, industry culture, and building resilient organisations.
Paul Alsbury
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Paul joined the NHVR in November 2024 as Executive Director of Statutory Compliance, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in senior regulatory, legal and enforcement roles. He has previously served as Assistant Commissioner with Queensland Corrective Services, Deputy Commissioner with the South Australian ICAC, and Senior Executive Officer with Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission, as well as Crown Prosecutor with the Office of the DPP.
His career also includes executive leadership roles with Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service. Paul holds Business and Law degrees, a Master of Laws (QUT), is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1999.
Chris Spiteri
ReturntoWorkSA​
Chris Spiteri is the Leader Enforcement at ReturnToWorkSA and oversees the development and delivery of enforcement strategies and operations designed to protect the integrity of the South Australian Return to Work Scheme. This includes assessing scheme participant compliance with their legislative obligations and taking prompt risk based enforcement action when non-compliance is identified. A chartered accountant with over 20 years experience, Chris has undertaken financial investigation, forensic accounting and enforcement work in a variety of roles and regulatory settings in the private sector as well as state and commonwealth government at ASIC, SAPOL and ReturnToWorkSA.​
Brent Ferguson
AI Group​
Brent is Ai Group's Head of National Workplace Relations Policy, leading a team of workplace relations policy and advocacy professionals in representing Ai Group members in workplace relations policy matters. This includes representations to Government and Opposition parties, submissions to numerous inquiries, major cases in the FWC and Courts, and influencing the public debate. Brent is a solicitor with around 20 years’ experience. In his current roles as Director - Major Cases, Workplace Relations Advocacy & Policy and as a Legal Practitioner Director at Ai Group Workplace Lawyers, Brent has been involved in a wide range of workplace developments and reforms.​
