Our People

Greg Brooker is an industry leader with over 30 years of experience in the HVAC&R sector. He has held senior national and trans-Tasman leadership roles, including overseeing the acquisition and successful rebranding of Heatcraft NZ to Actrol NZ. His deep operational expertise and commercial insight position him as a respected voice in both industry and environmental spheres.

Appointed Chair of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia in 2023, Greg plays a key role in steering the organisation’s strategic direction and championing its role as a global leader in refrigerant stewardship. Representing the refrigerant wholesaling industry, he is a strong advocate for regulatory improvements, such as technician registration and mandatory leak detection, to ensure system-wide accountability.

Greg is known for his pragmatic leadership style, commitment to industry-wide collaboration, and focus on practical environmental outcomes.

Greg’s go-to reminder of nature’s scale? The 2022 Tongan volcano released 150 million tonnes of water vapour into the stratosphere, a striking illustration of why the global phase-out of CFCs remains one of the most critical environmental interventions of our time.

Nathan Johns brings over two decades of experience at BOC, where he has held senior roles in operations and product management. For the past six years, he has overseen the company’s refrigerant portfolio, helping shape responsible supply and lifecycle practices for a critical class of products. Appointed to the RRA Board in 2022, he is proud to support a globally respected environmental initiative and values the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded experts dedicated to making real change.

Nathan is especially passionate about accelerating the phase-down of high global warming potential refrigerants and improving recovery outcomes across the sector. He also views his role as a valuable opportunity to continue developing his governance skills in a purposeful and collaborative environment. Nathan’s perspective on climate is simple but striking: “The Earth will endure, but it is humanity we must protect.” It’s a reminder that environmental action is about more than preserving nature; it’s about securing our collective future.

With a background as a refrigeration mechanic, Alex has worked across the commercial HVACR sector before founding his own business. He enjoys the trade’s hands-on and constantly evolving nature and takes pride in mentoring the next generation of technicians.

A long-time industry contributor, Alex served on the AMCA Victoria Board for 20 years, including two terms as president. On the RRA Board, he values learning from peers and helping to shape sustainable refrigerant practices.

Alex’s go-to reminder of why RRA’s work matters? Cape Grim in Tasmania is home to the cleanest air in the world and serves as a vital monitoring station for ozone-depleting substances — a powerful indicator of the global importance of refrigerant management.

Gary is an Engineering Manager at Daikin Australia and represents the HVAC&R manufacturing sector on the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia Board. With more than 35 years of experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, Gary brings extensive expertise in engineering, product development, regulatory compliance, industry standards, and sustainability.

After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney, Gary began his career with consulting engineers Norman Disney & Young before joining Daikin Australia in 1991. Over the course of his career, he has held technical, commercial and leadership roles, contributing to the introduction of new technologies, the development of engineering software used globally, and the advancement of industry standards and best practice.

Gary has a long history of industry involvement through organisations including AREMA, CESA and Standards Australia committees. He is passionate about responsible refrigerant management and the role it plays in reducing environmental impacts while supporting the essential services provided by refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

As a Director of RRA, Gary is committed to promoting refrigerant recovery, reclamation and stewardship, helping to advance a more sustainable and circular approach to refrigerant management across Australia.

His favourite aspect of serving on the Board is collaborating with industry leaders who share a common purpose of delivering practical environmental outcomes for future generations.

John McCormack has been a central figure in Refrigerant Reclaim Australia’s development for over two decades. First elected to the Board in 2001, he went on to serve as Chair from 2002 until 2023, helping to shape RRA into a globally recognised model of product stewardship. His leadership has been instrumental in building trusted industry–government collaboration and ensuring cost-effective, high-impact refrigerant recovery and destruction.

John brings over 35 years of experience in the commercial and technical sectors, including the chemical and refrigerant industries. He began his career with DuPont in 1988 and transitioned into leadership roles across technical sales, product management, and strategic business units.

A champion of evidence-based policy, John continues to advocate for a united industry voice, improved training and licensing, and regulatory reform that supports environmental outcomes without imposing unnecessary burden.

John points out that the phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs has done more to slow global warming than any other single action, a legacy the refrigerants industry should be proud of, but rarely celebrates.

Larry has dedicated his career to advancing Australia’s electrical and HVAC&R industries through leadership, advocacy and workforce development. As Executive Director of NECA SA/NT, for nearly 3 decades he has represented electrical and communications contractors across South Australia and the Northern Territory, working closely with government, regulators and industry to strengthen the sector and support its future growth.

With more than 28 years’ experience in industrial engineering, maintenance and construction, Larry has held numerous leadership positions across vocational education, skills development and industry governance. He has played a significant role in shaping national licensing and training frameworks, including serving as a Director of the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) for four terms and representing industry on the National Occupational Licensing System Advisory Committee for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Larry also serves as Secretary of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association of South Australia (RACCA SA), where he has supported the industry for more than 25 years.

Larry has also been recently appointed as Managing Director of the communications industry cabling registrar ACRS which licenses communications workers throughout Australia.

As a Director of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, Larry brings extensive expertise in industry leadership, contractor engagement, workforce capability and regulatory policy. His experience helps guide RRA’s mission to strengthen refrigerant stewardship and support practical, industry-led solutions that reduce emissions and promote responsible refrigerant recovery across Australia.

For his sins Larry has also been a passionate supporter and club member of Manchester United for over half a century which is not surprising given his birthplace of East Belfast the same as the great George Best.

Mark Padwick brings over 40 years of experience in the HVACR industry, with a career shaped by a strong commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. He currently serves as General Manager at Wilson Heat Pumps and has previously held senior leadership roles, including Managing Director of Sanden International. Throughout his career, Mark has been a consistent voice for industry collaboration and advocacy, driving meaningful change.

He has served in a number of key leadership positions, including Chair of the Australian Refrigeration Council, President of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia, and board member of Refrigerants Australia.

Mark’s contributions have been recognised with several prestigious honours. He was inducted into the ARBS Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the HVACR Leader of the Year award in 2021 for his leadership in the sector. He is also a recipient of the Mobile Air Climate Systems (MACS) Pioneer Award, acknowledging his long-standing impact on the mobile air conditioning industry.

Mark continues to advocate for improved consumer education and technician training to support long-term environmental outcomes, and his motivation is simple: to leave the industry, and the planet, better than he found it.

Ian is a highly respected leader in the mobile refrigeration sector, bringing over four decades of hands-on technical and industry experience. He began his career in 1979 as an apprentice electrical fitter in a coal mining operation, working across automotive, domestic, and commercial electrical and refrigeration systems. Having gained broad experience in the mining sector, Ian went on to build a successful career in the automotive industry as a qualified automotive electrician and business owner.

Ian is the owner and Director of Corjay Aire and has held numerous leadership roles, including President of the Vehicle Air Conditioning Specialists of Australasia from 2009 to 2022. He currently serves as both Director and Treasurer at VASA and is in his third term as a Director on the Australian Refrigeration Council—demonstrating his commitment to advancing technical standards and regulatory integrity across the sector.

Ian joined the RRA Board to contribute his deep technical knowledge and long-standing governance experience to Australia’s refrigerant stewardship efforts. He is a strong advocate for technician licensing and industry-wide standards, and remains committed to supporting safe and sustainable practices across all areas of refrigerant handling.

Ian reminds us that the second most abundant liquid on Earth is oil—a reminder that understanding our resources is key to environmental responsibility.

Kylie Farrelley is a leader in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, bringing over two decades of experience to her role as General Manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia. Appointed in 2019, she has been instrumental in advancing RRA’s mission to recover and destroy ozone-depleting and synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants.

Prior to joining RRA, Kylie served as Business Manager for the Fluorochemical division at ARKEMA. Her extensive knowledge of the refrigerant supply chain and commitment to environmental stewardship have been pivotal in steering RRA through the challenges posed by the phasedown requirements of the Montreal Protocol and the introduction of new flammable refrigerants.

Before stepping down to commence her role at RRA, Kylie served as the Chair of Refrigerants Australia and is currently a Director of the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). In recognition of her expertise, she was appointed to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee (RTOC) in 2023, contributing to global discussions on sustainable refrigerant practices.

Kylie is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and equality, emphasising the importance of knowledge and collaboration in driving industry progress. Her leadership continues to shape the future of refrigerant management, both in Australia and internationally. She champions the vital role of Australia’s licensed technicians, whose work prevents an average of 11.6 tonnes of emissions per year, over five times the individual limit recommended by the United Nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Under her leadership, RRA has achieved a significant milestone by recovering over 10 million kilograms of synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants, preventing over 19.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Sonja has been a valued member of the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia team since 2008, playing a key role in ensuring the organisation’s financial integrity and operational success.

Trusted with overseeing the financial operations of RRA, Sonja is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity. Her work ensures that industry funds are carefully managed and directed toward the ongoing success of Australia’s refrigerant stewardship efforts.

With a strong background in financial management, Sonja brings precision, accountability and long-term strategic focus to her role. She takes pride in contributing to environmental protection through sound financial operations, believing that when every individual plays their part, collective impact can be profound.

Sonja is passionate about supporting the transition from high global warming potential gases to lower-impact alternatives. She also highlights the environmental significance of refrigerant management, noting that the reduction in HCFCs alone is equivalent to taking nearly 20 million cars off the road.

Stacey is the Communications Manager at Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA), bringing more than 15 years’ experience in strategic communications, media and advocacy across the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, state and local government, and the non-profit sector.

Drawing on this experience, Stacey specialises in translating complex technical, evidence-based and policy issues into compelling public narratives that shape public opinion, influence decision-makers and drive meaningful change.

At RRA, Stacey leads strategic communications that elevate the role of lifecycle refrigerant management in protecting the environment through responsible refrigerant recovery, product stewardship and environmental responsibility. Working closely with government, industry and stakeholders, she develops national campaigns, thought leadership editorial, media strategies and communications that educate and strengthen understanding of refrigerant stewardship and its role in reducing harmful emissions, protecting the ozone layer and supporting Australia’s environmental commitments.

A published writer, Stacey is passionate about bridging the gap between technical expertise, public understanding and policy, and helping organisations build influence and drive practical environmental outcomes.