Gary is the Managing Director and founding partner of Desert Oak Associates. He has worked extensively with boards, CEOs and senior executives of major corporations based in Australia, South East Asia, India, UK, USA and the Middle East. His work focusses on transforming the performance of leaders, teams and organizations.
Clients have included McDonald’s (Australia and the Asia region), CBA, Patricks, Freehills, PWC, Saudi Aramco, Dow, Equate, Asciano, Alsco, Hardcastle Corporation of India, LayAway Travel, Allen Jack+Cottier and leading McDonald’s Franchisee Operators based in Australia.
During his consulting career Gary advised the executive leaders and project directors of a US$40billion mega project to build a new chemical enterprise in Saudi Arabia. Completed a series of board effectiveness programs for a major Australian Bank and a board review for a leading project services company. Advised on transformation programs for major corporates, start-ups and franchisees operators. Worked extensively with both McDoanald’s Corporation, Australia and the Asia Region and the CEO’s and leadership teams of nine of Australia’s leading McDonald’s Franchisee.
From 1994 to 2001, he was Managing Director, Human Resources at Telstra Corporation, where he played a key role in the commercial transformation of Telstra. Prior to this, he worked in executive search with Russell Reynolds and was a founding director of joint venture with one of Australia’s largest law firms. Earlier in his career he worked as sport psychologist and was part of the 1988 Australian Olympic team.
Gary has a BA (Sociology) from Curtin University, a BSc (Psychology) with Honours from the ANU and is an alumnus of the Wharton Advanced Management Programme. He is a former Director of the Australian Yachting Federation.