A Brisbane munitions company is increasing its international firepower with the appointment of leading defence industry executive Andrew Crickenberger as its Chief Growth Officer.
NIOA, based in Pinkenba, but with operations around Australia and across the globe, will task Mr Crickenberger with accelerating growth here and in the United States, as well exploring new markets.
NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa said Mr Crickenberger, formerly Vice President of Strategy for L3Harris Technologies’ Aerojet Rocketdyne Segment, had a career spanning more than three decades as a senior executive with multi-national defence companies.
Mr Nioa said United States-based Mr Crickenberger would spearhead NIOA’s efforts to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the global allied guided weapons and munitions sector.
His appointment follows NIOA’s strategic agreement with L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne to explore the co-production of critical guided weapons components under the Australian Government’s $4.1 billion Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
Mr Nioa said NIOA had also recently taken up residency at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, the US Army’s Joint Centre of Excellence for ammunition and weapons.
“With Andrew’s leadership and deep understanding of missile systems we are confident in our ambition to accelerate a broad range of critical munitions priorities for Australia and allied partners while also strengthening our domestic defence industrial base,” he said.
Mr Crickenberger said he had worked in partnership with NIOA for nearly 15 years.
“It has been great to see the growth trajectory for the company,” he said.
“I am excited to join the team and lead the efforts to accelerate that growth in Australia, the US and into new markets such as the UK and Canada.”
