Executive Team
Aaron Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Aaron is an experienced Aerospace & Defence industry leader and the Chief Executive Officer of Ferra. With a distinguished career Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organisation.
Having held several key positions within the company, Aaron has proven success in leading a dynamic cross-discipline team, providing exceptional support to renowned global Defence & Aerospace prime organisations. Under Aaron’s guidance, the team has successfully secured and executed several programs in support of cutting-edge technology platforms.
As a leader, Aaron prioritises building trust through strong relationships and delivering exceptional performance. His approach centres around authentic communication, empowerment, and accountability, forming the foundation of his leadership model.
Before joining Ferra, Aaron’s career started in the Australian Army, where he gained valuable operational experience during his deployment in East Timor. This military background instilled in him a strong sense of connection to the warfighter and Ferra’s key customers.
Aaron holds an Executive Masters of Business (Complex Program Leadership) from the Queensland University of Technology, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of complex program management and leadership strategies. Additionally, he has served as the President of the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) Queensland chapter, showcasing his dedication to fostering collaboration and driving industry excellence.
David Rogers
Chief Operating Officer
David is an accomplished executive who brings extensive experience to his role as the Chief Operations Officer at Ferra. With a strong background in finance and operations management, David’s contributions have been instrumental in driving the success of the organisation.
David brings a strategic and results-oriented approach to driving operational excellence. His ability to streamline processes, optimize resource allocation, and foster collaboration across teams has significantly contributed to the success of Ferra.
Originally joining Ferra as the Group Chief Financial Officer, David has showcased his exceptional financial acumen and leadership skills. David was then appointed Chief Operations Officer, assuming responsibility for overseeing the international operations of the group.
Prior to joining Ferra, David served as a Partner at a London based international Accounting and Professional Services firm, where he specialised in providing support to clients with specific cross-border international requirements. His expertise in financial management and his ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes have proven invaluable in his career.
David holds an Executive MBA from Imperial College Business School, which has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of business strategy and leadership. Additionally, David is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA), further exemplifying his expertise in the financial realm.
Blair Drinkwater
Vice President - Business Development & Strategy
As the Vice President – Business Development & Strategy Blair plays a key role in the executive leadership team and is responsible for driving growth and enterprise value.
Blair has over 20 years of Aerospace & Defence industry experience across Business Development, Strategy, Government Relations, Stakeholder Management and Project Management fields.
Prior to joining Ferra, Blair held senior leadership and management positions within prime global Defence & Aerospace technology companies. During this time Blair developed and delivered several key programs to domestic & international stakeholders within the Land, Air and Maritime domains.
Prior to entering the civilian workforce Blair served in the Australian Army and deployed on numerous domestic and international exercises and operational deployments. It is through this lived experience that he developed an appreciation for application of Aerospace technology in an operational context.
Blair is a member of the Royal Australian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) QLD Association and the Australian Army Aviation Association (AAAA).
Driven by a commitment to personal and professional development, Blair has achieved tertiary and vocational qualifications in Leadership & Management, Project Management, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
Australia
Simon Hack
General Manager Ferra Australia
Simon embarked on his journey with Ferra in 2021, taking the reins as the General Manager for Ferra Australia. In this pivotal role, he is responsible for overseeing and directing Ferra’s Australian operations and activities.
Simon’s career spans over two decades, during which he served as an instrumental figure at RUAG Australia/Rosebank Engineering, a prominent aerospace Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) based in Melbourne, Victoria. His dedication and contributions made a significant impact at RUAG, where he held various key roles, including the position of Senior Manager.
During his time at RUAG, Simon led and managed the manufacturing and sustainment of a diverse range of critical systems. This included hydraulic, electromechanical, and propulsion systems for some of the most iconic aircraft in the industry, such as the F/A-18 Hornet, F-35 Lightning II, P3 Orion, and C130 Hercules. These systems played a vital role in supporting the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), showcasing Simon’s deep commitment to ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of these aircraft.
Simon’s leadership approach is founded on dedication, strategic thinking, and a profound understanding of the aerospace manufacturing industry. He has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering excellence and driving innovation in the field.
India
Sridhar Chintha
General Manager Ferra India
Sridhar is an experienced leader with over 20 years of experience in aerospace, airlines, finance, and retail. His background is in IT, account management, operations management and engineering services. Since 2017, he has managed Indian operations and expansion, building strategic partnerships with key customers and developing a successful local supplier ecosystem. He oversaw a major expansion in machining capabilities, as well as in quality, assembly and engineering services.
Sridhar has successfully transferred of Group projects to India and ensured continuous timely execution at the highest quality, leveraging Group expertise and nurturing India’s unique advantage to our global customer group.
He has led global teams and functional portfolios across technical and business areas, designing and implementing operating models with cost and operations management to provide a competitive edge. Sridhar holds a Master of Information Technology from Griffith University, Australia and will complete Advanced Strategic Management Program with Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode in 2021.
United States of America
Jerry Cook
General Manager and President of Ferra Grove & Rogers
Jerry has more than 35 years’ experience in the global aerospace and defence industry. His successful delivery of profitable growth and complex projects in advanced technology businesses has led to substantial customer and industry recognition. Jerry joined Ferra as President USA in January 2018 and since then has managed Ferra USA activity and overseen Ferra’s ongoing domestic expansion and growth in the United States. Jerry is responsible for leading Ferra’s major expansions and growth in defense programs, and as well as Ferra’s latest expansion into new sectors including major assembly opportunities.
Prior to joining Ferra, Jerry worked with a major aerospace company for 32 years leading the business to become a manufacturer of components and major sub- assemblies on the F-35, F/A18. Most notably, Jerry successfully led the growth at his previous company from producing and providing complex machining structural components and transitioned it into providing major complex assembly to the defense industry.
