News

Sean Priestly

Sean has worked in the baggage handling industry since the early 1990’s, starting his career with Glidepath with a ME (mech). Sean has developed expertise in BHS system design, site commissioning, and initial site ‘go-live’ operations. Sean’s skillset involves the setup and management of:

• – Design and review of BHS system controls network architecture.
• – Management of High-Level Control hardware and software installations for Airport baggage sortation systems.
• – Manage and implement IT systems providing companywide IT services including B2B and remote engineer VPN connections.

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Adam Taylor

Principal Engineer

Adam started his engineering journey at school where he re-wired friends’ cars and worked on orchards, which in turn led to him starting a cadetship with NZPO, so like many of Neo’s senior staff his grounding is soundly practical and enmeshed in delivering working solutions.

This start in the trades put Adam on a journey that saw him working for NZPO as a technician, consulting for TelecomNZ and NewBridge/Alcatel, as the Design Engineer for a power utility, lecturing and researching at AUT University, and as the Senior Engineer for an electrotechnology company. This work was interspersed with completing a NZCE in Wellington, his Bachelor’s degree and his Master’s degree in Christchurch, and his Doctoral degree in Auckland.

In conjunction with his broad experiences across the electrical engineering spectrum, Adam has a keen interest in electrical machines in general, linear induction machines (like those used in MagLev trains) in particular, power electronics, HVDC systems, battery systems, and in growing great engineers. He has authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications in these areas, as well as wind turbine modelling, SWER systems, power line communications, and IGBT-based convertors.

Adam is also a devoted father of three sons, an avid bushman and fisherman, a semi-retired weightlifter, and the lover of the two fine PA Vauxhall’s he owns.

Dima Ibrahim

Principal Engineer

Dima is a Principal engineer at Neo Consulting. Since graduating with a BE from the University of Auckland in 2003, she has developed significant expertise in the detailed design of motor control systems, telemetry, PLC hardware and instrumentation. Additionally, Dima has considerable experience with site supervision, commissioning, project management, specification and documentation development. She is a well-grounded, practical engineer and an asset to Neo.

To relax, Dima enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Frank Kassai

Principal Engineer

With more than 30 years’ experience to his credit, Frank is our go-to guy for airport baggage handling systems (BHS) and council telemetry projects. He also has considerable experience in process control for the freight, food and beverage sectors, gained while working for Heinz, ABB and other global brands.

Frank is appreciated for his commitment to exceptional customer service, delivering beyond the call of duty and maintaining positivity at every stage of every project. He loves his job and this rubs off on everyone else in the Neo team.

Outside work, Frank is a mad-keen soccer and cricket fan, fisherman and fitness enthusiast. Working on multiple airport projects has also given him a taste for travel.

Richie Murray

General Manager – Business Development

Since graduating with a BE from the University of Auckland in 2007, he has been heavily involved in the water and wastewater sector.

Over the years, Richie has been exposed to a wide variety of sites and processes. This experience has provided him with unique insight into how mechanical, electrical and control systems inter-relate. Richie’s knowledge allows him to expertly advise on best-solution results for clients.

Outside of the office, Richie loves to spend time with his young family.

Nicole Bamford

Office Manager

Welcoming and friendly, Nicole is a vital component in ensuring Neo’s daily operations run smoothly and effectively. Nicole enjoys people and the daily interaction with the team and wider communities. She enjoys looking after the team which she finds an extension of her busy household of 3 boys at home. This takes on many forms and includes organising training sessions, morning teas and the many and varied cultural events Neo enjoys.  Nicole has a real passion for developing a fun and inclusive culture at Neo.

Nicole is an ex-PW – Qualified Accountant where she worked in London for 4 and half years before returning to New Zealand to work for Fonterra. After which she became a stay-at-home mother for a number of years.

Nicole has a passion for great food and wine and loves exploring New Zealand and the wider world on adventure holidays with her family and friends. 

Scott Wilson

General Manager – Consulting

Scott wears our GM hat and is responsible for the day-to-day operational aspects of the engineering design team at Neo. He has more than two decades of electrical engineering consultancy under his belt and his pragmatic approach to applying proven engineering principles to new problems gives Neo a valuable edge in the market.

Before studying electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Auckland, Scott worked as an electrician; that’s the sort of ground-up experience that helps to keeps things real at Neo.

Much of Scott’s time is spent overseeing design projects, where he provides guidance, quality assurance and mentoring. He’s also a hands-on designer for nearly every project he’s involved with.

In his free time, Scott is a keen footballer, cricketer and family man.

Alberto Sepnio

As CAD manager at Neo Consulting, Alberto’s role is to facilitate, coordinate and manage all design drawings produced by the Neo team. His eye for detail is backed up by more than 20 years’ experience with electrical and instrumentation design engineering, including drafting designs for industrial power plants. Alberto also has significant experience with project coordination, plant pre-commissioning and site supervision.

As a team player, Alberto enjoys the collaborative culture at Neo. He is appreciated for his loyalty and commitment to high quality work. Beyond work, Alberto is also known as a team player; he pursues a keen interest in basketball through training, playing and coaching.

Tyler MacLeod

Tyler is a senior electrical engineer known for his versatility. From completing detailed designs for water-treatment upgrade projects to providing problem-solving consultancy services to our clients, Tyler’s up for any electrical engineering mission. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty on site visits and his sense of humour supports positivity on even the most challenging projects.

Tyler has 13+ years of electrical design experience across the oil, gas and dairy industries in New Zealand and offshore. His specialised machine safety CMSE training is invaluable to the Neo team.

When he’s not working, you might find Tyler flying his drone. Travel is his other obsession; he’s visited more than 50 countries.

Stephen Rhind

Stephen has worked within the electrical industry since 1988 when he started an Electrical Apprenticeship at the Ports of Auckland. In 20 years of his professional engineering capacity, Stephen has completed an NZCE and BE and also worked throughout a range of industries. His experiences include electrical power generation and distribution design, control systems and instrumentation, construction supervision, plant commissioning, procurement and contract administration.

Off duty, Stephen enjoys spending time with his family.

Dominic Hollewand

General Manager – Advisory 

Dominic provides business advice and support at Neo Consulting. He has extensive experience in both the consulting and asset-intense utility environments.

With both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Diploma in Business, Dominic has a valuable skill set for working in the control systems field. His career spans a range of industries, including industrial chemicals, petrochemicals, water and wastewater.  

Dominic spent 20+ years with an asset owner/operator developing expertise in the management and delivery of control systems and, more latterly, the commercial and programme delivery of complex, high value, multi-year capital portfolios. He’s particularly interested in business improvement, and the fusion of people and technology to leverage efficiency.

Dominic enjoys spending his personal time with family and exploring New Zealand.

Nigel Stevenson

Managing Director

Nigel Stevenson is the founder of Neo Consulting. He has worked in the electrical industry since 1986, when he commenced an industrial electrical apprenticeship at Tasman Pulp and Paper in Kawerau. Nigel’s early work experience provided him with a sound understanding of buildable design concepts and an ability to communicate effectively with everyone, from shop-floor to boardroom.

Most of Nigel’s post-graduate experience has been in the field of industrial electrical and controls systems. He’s adept at every aspect of Neo’s work, from specification, design, programming, construction, testing and commissioning through to complete project management.

At Neo, a primary focus for Nigel is the professional development of engineers and the development of tools to make delivery of projects quicker, easier and more accurate. Nigel has been instrumental in developing a library of standard designs and cementing the quality procedures within Neo.

Off duty, Nigel enjoys spending time travelling and running.

Matthew Leahy

Matthew joined as a graduate engineer in 2018, having previously worked in the electronics industry designing and building battery powered lighting systems for drones in film. Matthew is a self-proclaimed coffee snob, and outside of work he likes to spend his summer weekends hiking or visiting new places around the North Island.

In the winter he tries to get down to Ruapehu as often as possible to spend time snowboarding the slopes.

Pranav Meelu

Pranav joined as a Graduate Engineer, having previously worked in the aviation industry. Pranav graduated from the University of Auckland with a Master of Engineering specialising in Control and Power systems.

Outside of work Pranav enjoys watching both forms of rugby, as well as being a petrol head.

Paul Bancroft

Paul joined us in 2017 after 6 years with Justswitchboards Ltd. With over 30 years of experience in the Electrical Industry, from Apprentice through to Engineer working on diverse projects from Super Yachts to conveyor systems.

Paul enjoys spending time with family and friends, he can be found on the mountain or in the sea (depending on the season), and if time permits busy DIYing or tinkering in his garage on his classic VWs.

Jude Fernandes

Jude has recently finished studying an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree at the University of Auckland. Jude’s ability to problem solve allows him to effectively apply his knowledge of electrical systems to practical situations.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family. Jude is also an avid footballer and badminton player.

Nick Carson

Nick graduated from The University of Auckland in 2014, specialising in control, power and radio systems. Nick’s attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively ensures his understanding of electrical and electronic technologies, and their application to real world problems.

Nick enjoys socialising with friends, staying fit and healthy and has a keen interest in current affairs.

Jonathan Cuff

Jonathan undertakes detailed design of water and wastewater treatment plants and pump stations at Neo; previously he was an automation engineer at Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

Jonathan is also experienced in site upgrade and condition assessments, hazardous area electrical designs and project management. Jonathan is a keen gamer and enjoys trips home to Invercargill.