Human Resources

Global Groundwater's success is founded on the strengths of it's personnel, in particular the senior personnel listed here.

Richard Nixon B.Sc. (Geol. & Soil Sc.)
Richard is a Senior Hydrogeologist and a founding partner at Global Groundwater. He is also partner in a 4000 ha farming enterprise at New Norcia and Gillingarra, which includes perennial pasture systems and low volume irrigation/fertigation trials. More recently Richard has been taking on project management roles where he develops teams with specialist skills and manages these teams to deliver integrated services and outcomes for clients.

Richard is skilled in GIS analysis, geophysical surveys, aquifer and bore yield assessments, groundwater modelling and remote sensing studies. He is also experienced in contract preparation, project administration and contract supervision. As Managing Partner of Global Groundwater Richard has managed many large and complex projects and as such has had significant experience in project managing broad-based teams and supervising works to completion. Richard is a member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and the Australian Drilling Industry Association.

David Skidmore B.App.Sc., (Hons.)
David has gained considerable experience since 1990 in groundwater investigation, development and management projects throughout Western Australia and Victoria. He was previously a hydrogeologist with the Geological Survey of Western Australian (GSWA) then the Water and Rivers Commission where he was seconded to the Water Corporation to provide hydrogeological expertise and undertake large groundwater appraisal projects.

David's range of project experience is broad and includes reviewing groundwater and other data for statutory reporting, designing, undertaking and managing groundwater exploration and development programs for Mining, Community, town and industrial groundwater supply and management. In particular, when with GSWA, David undertook a groundwater resources evaluation of the Pilbara region incorporating the aquifers of the northwest Hamersley Range.

David Haydon BSc Hons Geology
David has gained extensive experience in hydrogeology and management of groundwater programs since 1984. He spent 5 years with an international hydrogeological, engineering and environmental consulting firm AGC Woodward-Clyde Pty Limited, where he rose to the position of Supervising Hydrogeologist. Prior to AGC Woodward-Clyde David spent 3 years in minerals exploration and mining from 1981 to 1983.

David has been a consulting hydrogeologist to Western Australian State Government departments including, the Water Authority, the Water and Rivers Commission, the Water Corporation and the Fisheries Department. He has had extensive involvement in the development and review of country town water supplies and in the preparation of regional groundwater management policy and plans.

David has been involved in hydrogeological investigations and groundwater development projects for a wide variety of industries that utilize groundwater and has managed and undertaken numerous projects gaining experience from grass roots investigations to project management. His particular expertise is now providing a supervisory role for groundwater projects undertaken by Global Groundwater.

Louise Hopgood B.Sc. (Hons. Geol.), B. Env. Impact Assessment
Louise joined Global Groundwater in 2003 as a hydrogeologist. She previously spent 3 years as a scientific officer with Department of Agriculture WA where she managed "Rural Towns Program" groundwater drilling in Western Australian rural towns. Prior to that she worked for 8 years as a geologist with various Western Australian mining companies.

Louise's principal role with Global Groundwater has been in researching for and analysing data and preparing and editing reports and undertaking exhaustive cross checks and quality assurance procedures. She is experienced in reviewing groundwater and other data for statutory reporting and also has experience in designing drilling programs, preparing budgets, monitoring program costs and supervising drilling and field personnel.