Executive Management Team

APV-C Harry Hickling

Harry Hickling

Managing Director

Managing Director of APV Corporation Pty Ltd.  The company derives approximately $15 million in turnover with exports to USA, Europe and New Zealand. The company employs over 55 personnel in Australia, USA and NZ.

During his career, Harry has developed a broad business background across Automotive, Defence, Aerospace, Logistics and Maintenance Management and commercial distribution industries.  He has extensive Strategic Planning and Operational Managment expertise across several industries.

Harry has a Bachelor of Economics degree from Sydney University with a double major in Operations Research and Economics. 

APV-C Doug Keesing

Doug Keesing

General Manager:  APV-S

Over 20 years experience in Automotive and Aviation Engineering, Manufacturing and Management at Delphi, Vipac and Airbus.

Roles included Engineering Manager for Delphi's Australian Chassis and Steering Systems Divisions, General Manager of Vipac and Airbus Propeller services in Australia and Managing Director for Safe Air Australia.

Doug has an Engineering Degree, Diploma of Engineering (Aerospace) and is a Green-belt certified six sigma expert.

APV-C Carl Liersch

Carl Liersch

General Manager:  APV-T

Carl has worked in Design, Manufacturing, Project Management and Management roles at PBR Automotive and Bosch Australia, including as General Manager for the Chassis Systems Engineering Division of Bosch Australia.

Working in the automotive industry for more than 35 years, he has specialised in vehicle safety.  He led the introduction of Airbags and ABS into the Australian cars industry in the early 90s, and ESC in the early 2000s.  He has participated in global automotive projects, spoken at international conferences on vehicle safety, and spent 6 years living and working in Germany on international vehicle safety projects.  In 2015 he led the introduction of automated driving in Australia in a joint project with Bosch, VicRoads and the TAC.

In 2019 Carl took over the role of General Manager at Australia's pre-eminent crash and environmental testing facility, APV-T, in Campbellfield, Melbourne and now has a focus on survivability through product impact, environmental and life cycle testing.

Carl has a Mechanical Engineering Degree and Graduate Diploma in Project Management.

APV-C Ted Kieca

Ted Kieca

Engineering & Operations Manager:  APV-T

Ted is a Chartered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in aerospace, defence, automotive, structural, mechanical and machine building disciplines.  He has delivered unique and challenging projects for demanding aerospace and defence customers such as BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace as well as for the Australian Defence Forces.  He has also worked for Airbus, Boeing and Ford/Sumitomo Wiring Systems.

Ted brings competencies in the design, analysis and testing of aircraft structures (metallic and composite), steel structures, mechanisms, technological and mobile equipment, special purpose machinery, vehicles systems, mining equipment, plastic molding components and sheet metal parts.  He has expertise in loads, static, fatigue, dynamic and kinematics analysis.

Ted holds a Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master Degree in Project Management.  He is a Corporate Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia and Member of the College of Mechanical Engineers.  In his present role at APV-T, he utilises this wealth of experience to deliver unparalleled customer satisfaction and the highest standards in testing and developing products.

APV-C Chris Sweetman

Chris Sweetman

Regional Manager:  APV Safety Products NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand

Over 20 years experience in the Automotive Sector. General Manager for APV Safety Products from 2012 to 2017 with prior experience running Autoliv's NZ operations from 2001 to 2010. Responsible for APV's NZ operations in 2011.

Chris has a strong Customer Service focus and in-depth understanding of the Aust and NZ vehicle market. He has extensive experience in the development of solutions for the replacement and new vehicle build markets, including the Coach and Fork Lift markets.

APV-C Jack Giampalmi

Jack Giampalmi

North American Sales and Engineering Director

Jack has extensive Automotive, and Restraint Systems expertise having had a long career with Ford, Delphi, ZF/TRW, Autoliv, Joyson and now APV Safety Products.  Jack has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Michigan State University as well as an MBA from Oakland University.  Jack's career further developed into a Global Sales Director role at IDEX Corporation (BAND-IT).  He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers International and has more than fifteen years engineering and product development experience in automotive safety products, including seatbelts systems.  He is recognised as one of the inventors for a US Patent for a Cinch Tongue Assembly that demonstrates the depth of his engineering expertise.

Jack's Global Sales Director expertise along with his engineering background continues to strengthen and complement the values and depth of expertise of the APV team.

APV-C Natasha Hickling

Natasha Hickling

HR Manager

An experienced Human Resources Manager focused on people and culture, with a demonstrated history of working in the Manufacturing, Engineering & Hospitality Industries. Skilled in payroll management, recruitment, IR, change management, performance management, training and development, OH&S and export regulations. Natasha works with people at all levels of the organisation to support the business during a period of growth and development. Natasha is a strong human resources professional with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in HR & Business Management from the University of Canberra.

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