GMC Board Announces New CEO

August 20, 2021

The Geelong Manufacturing Council Board today announced it has appointed advanced manufacturing advocate, Jennifer Conley, as CEO of the GMC, effective from 1 September.

“The Board is thrilled to welcome Jennifer to lead our vibrant membership and to help foster and grow opportunities and competitiveness for the region’s manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses,” Chair of the GMC Board, Ms Lyn George, said.

“The GMC has established itself as the leading voice for industry and the manufacturing sector in Geelong and the southwest region.

“Jenn’s inspired ability to encourage collaboration and innovation across traditional industry boundaries and her skill as a communicator and advocate meant she was the best person to lead the GMC into our 25th year next year – and beyond. We look forward to a new era for manufacturers as they navigate the challenges and access the opportunities of the future with her visionary guidance,”  Ms George said.

“Jenn has been at the helm of the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong, an organisation formed under the auspices of the GMC, and her skills in facilitation and building opportunities are very highly regarded.”

Jennifer Conley3 Color
Incoming GMC CEO, Jennifer Conley

State Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP, said:

“I would like to congratulate Jennifer Conley on her appointment as the new CEO of the Geelong Manufacturing Council. I am aware of the excellent work Jennifer has done in building the Advanced Fibre Cluster here in Geelong, and the great work Geelong Manufacturing Council has done over many years in support of Geelong’s manufacturing industry. Geelong is still very much a manufacturing town. Our innovative workers and capable manufacturers have weathered so many transitions and continue to create jobs and investment in the region.  I believe Jennifer’s appointment will strengthen the Geelong Manufacturing Council role in supporting and creating new and traditional manufacturing in Geelong.”

Deakin University Vice Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin said:

“I am absolutely delighted to congratulate Jenn Conley and the Geelong Manufacturing Council on this wonderful appointment. Jenn’s expertise in linking industry, government and the research community – and her success in building bigger opportunities for all – heralds an exciting era for manufacturing and the collaborative ecosystem in Geelong and the southwest region. ”

CEO Quickstep, Mark Burgess, said:

“Jenn Conley has been a skilled facilitator for building the manufacturing innovation ecosystem nationally, and more recently in Geelong, for several years and her continued leadership in this important region is welcome news. I thoroughly endorse the GMC Board’s appointment: A wise choice.”

Geelong-based Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said:

“Jennifer Conley’s appointment is terrific news for Geelong. She will be a great asset in harnessing our important local manufacturing capability and attracting investment, especially as we chart our economic recovery from COVID-19 and build our future resilience.”

Jennifer Conley said:

“This region has over 10,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and the multiplier effect of those jobs is higher than any other sector. GMC members’ export earnings, their R&D investments, their commercialisation of innovation and technology improvements, all combine to create huge spill over benefits to the rest of the local economy.

“This is an exciting role and I’m very much looking forward to working with the GMC’s stellar group of member companies and organisations, and the dedicated GMC team and Board, to help maximise their success.”

Lyn George
Chair, Geelong Manufacturing Council