Lachlan McKenna
Director at Beretta Defence Australia- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Jake Jordans,
I have known Lachlan since 1996 and worked with him numerous times in the ADF over the last 15 years, notably when Lachlan has been employed in Capability Development, as a Senior Operations Manager and a Project Manager. During the time that we worked together, Lachlan consistently achieved superior results, regularly exceeding expectations. His performance broadened the impact of a number of his appointments from essentially transactional interactions with limited direct results to 3rd and 4th order impacts with long term, multifaceted solutions. He rapidly earns the respect of his peers and leaders becoming a sounding board / mentor to those that he works with. Lachlan unfailingly sought out and accepted additional responsibilities in order to achieve the overriding operation objectives. This resulted in significantly greater focus on operational solutions that improved responsiveness and effectiveness with in the functional areas he was assigned. Lachlan maintains a holistic view of capability and resource development throughout change when many senior personnel have become inward focused. He is very effective in ‘selling’ the longer term goals and the benefits of full engagement in strategic and operational development. Lachlan demonstrated superior analytic and interpersonal skills and is a strong leader who consistently drives operational improvements at strategic level within any enterprise he is part of.
Lachlan Mercer MMS (qtc)
"I have known Lachlan since 2009, when I first meet him as a student on the Australian Defence Force Capability Technology and Management Course; an internationally respected, premier Defence course, which qualifies successful students with Masters Degree in Defence Technology and Acquisition. I have since worked with Lachlan as a consultant on Project LAND 998 Phase 1, replacement of aviation fire trucks. During this project I found Lachlan to be an effective project leader, providing clear and effective, direction and intent. Lachlan's ability to focus on the strategic outcomes of the project and remain "out of the weeds", allowed him to manage the project effectively. His technical training allowed him to understand, manage and redirect the lines of investigation to produce a superior outcome. His overall direction and leadership produced an outstanding outcome for this phase of the project.
Jake Jordans,
I have known Lachlan since 1996 and worked with him numerous times in the ADF over the last 15 years, notably when Lachlan has been employed in Capability Development, as a Senior Operations Manager and a Project Manager. During the time that we worked together, Lachlan consistently achieved superior results, regularly exceeding expectations. His performance broadened the impact of a number of his appointments from essentially transactional interactions with limited direct results to 3rd and 4th order impacts with long term, multifaceted solutions. He rapidly earns the respect of his peers and leaders becoming a sounding board / mentor to those that he works with. Lachlan unfailingly sought out and accepted additional responsibilities in order to achieve the overriding operation objectives. This resulted in significantly greater focus on operational solutions that improved responsiveness and effectiveness with in the functional areas he was assigned. Lachlan maintains a holistic view of capability and resource development throughout change when many senior personnel have become inward focused. He is very effective in ‘selling’ the longer term goals and the benefits of full engagement in strategic and operational development. Lachlan demonstrated superior analytic and interpersonal skills and is a strong leader who consistently drives operational improvements at strategic level within any enterprise he is part of.
Lachlan Mercer MMS (qtc)
"I have known Lachlan since 2009, when I first meet him as a student on the Australian Defence Force Capability Technology and Management Course; an internationally respected, premier Defence course, which qualifies successful students with Masters Degree in Defence Technology and Acquisition. I have since worked with Lachlan as a consultant on Project LAND 998 Phase 1, replacement of aviation fire trucks. During this project I found Lachlan to be an effective project leader, providing clear and effective, direction and intent. Lachlan's ability to focus on the strategic outcomes of the project and remain "out of the weeds", allowed him to manage the project effectively. His technical training allowed him to understand, manage and redirect the lines of investigation to produce a superior outcome. His overall direction and leadership produced an outstanding outcome for this phase of the project.
Jake Jordans,
I have known Lachlan since 1996 and worked with him numerous times in the ADF over the last 15 years, notably when Lachlan has been employed in Capability Development, as a Senior Operations Manager and a Project Manager. During the time that we worked together, Lachlan consistently achieved superior results, regularly exceeding expectations. His performance broadened the impact of a number of his appointments from essentially transactional interactions with limited direct results to 3rd and 4th order impacts with long term, multifaceted solutions. He rapidly earns the respect of his peers and leaders becoming a sounding board / mentor to those that he works with. Lachlan unfailingly sought out and accepted additional responsibilities in order to achieve the overriding operation objectives. This resulted in significantly greater focus on operational solutions that improved responsiveness and effectiveness with in the functional areas he was assigned. Lachlan maintains a holistic view of capability and resource development throughout change when many senior personnel have become inward focused. He is very effective in ‘selling’ the longer term goals and the benefits of full engagement in strategic and operational development. Lachlan demonstrated superior analytic and interpersonal skills and is a strong leader who consistently drives operational improvements at strategic level within any enterprise he is part of.
Lachlan Mercer MMS (qtc)
"I have known Lachlan since 2009, when I first meet him as a student on the Australian Defence Force Capability Technology and Management Course; an internationally respected, premier Defence course, which qualifies successful students with Masters Degree in Defence Technology and Acquisition. I have since worked with Lachlan as a consultant on Project LAND 998 Phase 1, replacement of aviation fire trucks. During this project I found Lachlan to be an effective project leader, providing clear and effective, direction and intent. Lachlan's ability to focus on the strategic outcomes of the project and remain "out of the weeds", allowed him to manage the project effectively. His technical training allowed him to understand, manage and redirect the lines of investigation to produce a superior outcome. His overall direction and leadership produced an outstanding outcome for this phase of the project.
Jake Jordans,
I have known Lachlan since 1996 and worked with him numerous times in the ADF over the last 15 years, notably when Lachlan has been employed in Capability Development, as a Senior Operations Manager and a Project Manager. During the time that we worked together, Lachlan consistently achieved superior results, regularly exceeding expectations. His performance broadened the impact of a number of his appointments from essentially transactional interactions with limited direct results to 3rd and 4th order impacts with long term, multifaceted solutions. He rapidly earns the respect of his peers and leaders becoming a sounding board / mentor to those that he works with. Lachlan unfailingly sought out and accepted additional responsibilities in order to achieve the overriding operation objectives. This resulted in significantly greater focus on operational solutions that improved responsiveness and effectiveness with in the functional areas he was assigned. Lachlan maintains a holistic view of capability and resource development throughout change when many senior personnel have become inward focused. He is very effective in ‘selling’ the longer term goals and the benefits of full engagement in strategic and operational development. Lachlan demonstrated superior analytic and interpersonal skills and is a strong leader who consistently drives operational improvements at strategic level within any enterprise he is part of.
Lachlan Mercer MMS (qtc)
"I have known Lachlan since 2009, when I first meet him as a student on the Australian Defence Force Capability Technology and Management Course; an internationally respected, premier Defence course, which qualifies successful students with Masters Degree in Defence Technology and Acquisition. I have since worked with Lachlan as a consultant on Project LAND 998 Phase 1, replacement of aviation fire trucks. During this project I found Lachlan to be an effective project leader, providing clear and effective, direction and intent. Lachlan's ability to focus on the strategic outcomes of the project and remain "out of the weeds", allowed him to manage the project effectively. His technical training allowed him to understand, manage and redirect the lines of investigation to produce a superior outcome. His overall direction and leadership produced an outstanding outcome for this phase of the project.
Experience
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Beretta Defence Australia
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Australia
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Defense and Space Manufacturing
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Director
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Feb 2022 - Present
I am excited to commence a new chapter of my professional life with Beretta Defence Australia.Beretta Defence Australia (BDA) is the Government focussed Division of Beretta Australia, and includes the global network of brands within the Beretta Defence Technology (BDT) arm of the Beretta Holding Company, Beretta Australia Defence represents the following companies and their products:- Beretta: pistols, assault rifles, and SMG’s; located in Italy- Benelli: tactical shotguns; located in Italy- Steiner Optics: military binoculars and sniper scopes; located in Germany- Steiner eOptics: IR and visible laser pointers and illuminators for tactical weapons, IR and thermal beacons and NVGs; located in the USA- Sako: sniper rifles and ammunition; located in Finland- OSS Suppressors: assault rifle and machine gun suppressors; located in the USA- Aimpoint: red dot reflex sights for pistols, PDW’s, SMG’s, assault rifles, and machine guns, and a fire control system for 84mm/40mm AGL/HMG; located in Sweden- ALS-PACEM: less-lethal hand thrown and launched munitions; located in the USA- Radar 1947 Holsters: tactical holsters; located in Italy- Winkler Knives: specialised high-performance knives and tools; located in the USA- Wedgetail Industries - rifle and pistol suppressors, AR rifles; located in Australia
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Director - Defence Division
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Feb 2022 - Present
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Australian Army
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Australia
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Armed Forces
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700 & Above Employee
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Infantry Officer
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Dec 2001 - Mar 2022
Command and Leadership roles in Regimental Postings include:3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Para)2nd Battalion,The Royal Australian RegimentInstructional and Training roles include:Royal Military College - DuntroonSchool of InfantryParachute Training SchoolWarrant Officer and NCO Academy
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OC Training Wing, Parachute Training School
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Dec 2010 - Sep 2011
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Project Manager - LAND 998
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Jan 2010 - Dec 2010
Project Managed a Major Joint Defence Project during the early stages of the project lifecycle. This role required significant stakeholder management to balance conflicting needs and requirements. Led the project through a period of infancy, providing leadership and direction to shape the future direction of the project by establishing a robust framework for future progress.
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Australian Department of Defence
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Australia
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Defense and Space Manufacturing
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300 - 400 Employee
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Project Manager - Lethality and Survivability (Diggerworks)
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Dec 2019 - Jan 2022
Led a diverse team of mechanical and materials engineers, sustainment and logistic professionals, working intimately with Defence Industry partners to develop and deliver improved and new capability solutions to warfighters in the Australian Defence Force.Team priorities included analysis and development of emerging technologies in personal armour systems, reality based training systems and personal protective equipment.Personal achievements included collaboration on a a Defence level review and co-authoring of a strategy and architecture to modernise the development of combat clothing and personal equipment for the Australian Defence Force.
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Operations Officer (Diggerworks)
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Jan 2019 - Dec 2019
A programmatic level role, providing coordination and operations management for Diggerworks, to optimise the delivery of rapid prototyping and capability development for the soldier system.Utilised Agile methodologies and ceremonies to optimise workflow and meet priorities, across multiple development teams aligned to development portfolios
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Student
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Jan 2009 - Dec 2009
Formerly known as Australian Technical Staff Officers College (ATSOC) Formerly known as Australian Technical Staff Officers College (ATSOC)
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Royal Military College - Duntroon
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Australia
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Armed Forces
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1 - 100 Employee
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Instructor - I Class
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Jan 2008 - Dec 2008
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Operations Officer and OC Rear Details
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Jan 2006 - Dec 2007
Employed as Operations Officer for 2006, subsequently deployed to Iraq as a Liaison Officer and Training Advisor. Fulfilled the role of OC Rear Details from July to December 2007. Employed as Operations Officer for 2006, subsequently deployed to Iraq as a Liaison Officer and Training Advisor. Fulfilled the role of OC Rear Details from July to December 2007.
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Adjutant
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Jan 2005 - Dec 2005
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School of Infantry
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United States
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Facilities Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Instructor
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Jan 2004 - Dec 2004
Platoon Commander and Instructor Platoon Commander and Instructor
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Platoon Commander
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Jan 2002 - Dec 2003
Rifle Platoon Commander Mortar Line Officer Rifle Platoon Commander Mortar Line Officer
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Education
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2009 - 2009
UNSW
Masters of Management, Defence Capability Development and Acquisition -
2006 - 2009
UNSW
Masters of Business, Business Management and Finance -
2001 - 2001
Royal Military College
Queens Commission, General Service Officer -
1998 - 1999
Deakin University
CPA, Certified Practising Accountant -
1994 - 1997
University of South Australia
B.Acc, Bachelor of Accountancy
Community
