Sarah Downey and David Kearsley
Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has two new team members Sarah Downey as Senior Marketing and Communications Manager and David Kearsley as Codes and Standards Technical Manager. Source: Timberbiz
Ms Downey has more than nine years’ experience developing integrated marketing and communication strategies in the education and construction industries.
As an integral part of FWPA’s Marketing and Communications team, she will manage the development and creation of key initiatives, with a particular focus on sustainability and the built environment.
“Communicating key messages around forestry and wood products to our industry members, the construction industry and the general public in relevant and engaging ways is key to FWPA’s continued success. We are pleased to be able to benefit from Sarah’s extensive experience as she conveys what Australian forestry is all about and, more specifically, what we do at FWPA,” said Eileen Newbury.
Meanwhile, David Kearsley, who has assumed the position of Codes and Standards Technical Manager, has more than 25 years of experience in the building and engineering industries.
Prior to joining FWPA, he worked for the Victorian Fire Services for 10 years in the role of Fire Safety Program Leader. In this role he provided technical leadership for CFA’s Structural Fire Safety and Fire Engineering programs.
During his career, Mr Kearsley has been actively involved in writing building regulations, technical guides, and practice notes for fire safety and the construction industry.
He has also been a member of various technical groups and committees including representation of CFA on the Cladding Taskforce (following the Lacrosse Fire in 2014) and on several technical committees for Australasian Fire Authorities Council, including the Fire Engineering Network.
Boris Iskra, National Codes and Standard Manager at FWPA welcomed David to the team.
“David’s technical knowledge will be an invaluable asset to our industry and the FWPA team. Recent codes and standards changes have had an impact on the use of timber products that will need to be carefully addressed. David’s experience provides FWPA with a sound technical basis to support the use of timber products in traditional and new markets,” said Mr Iskra.
