Our Team Delivers Expertise Across Engineering, Technology, and Sustainability

Knowledge and Innovation at Global Synthetics

At Global Synthetics, we leverage our global network of experts to solve the most complex challenges for our clients. Our experienced sales and technical teams provide innovative solutions backed by the expertise of professionally qualified engineers, with over 200 years of combined experience. From design to installation, we deliver sustainable, tailored geosynthetic solutions at every stage, ensuring both technical excellence and cost-efficiency.

Our Team

Driven by a passion for geosynthetics, we focus on delivering innovative solutions with honesty, respect, and transparency. Together, we build strong partnerships, tackle challenges with empathy, and work collaboratively to create lasting impact in our industry.

George Fannelli

Manager Major Projects

George Fannelli has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Masters of Engineering Science from the University of NSW. His thesis was on Geosynthetic basal reinforcement of embankments on soft soil foundations. He has worked in the geosynthetic industry since 1991 for the largest and leading international manufacturers including BP Amoco, Ten Cate and most recently as Managing Director of Global Synthetics. He is a current committee member of Standards Australia CE20 Geosynthetics and long-time member of the International Geosynthetics Society.

Jason Crase

State Manager QLD

Jason Crase is a qualified Civil Engineer with some 30 years experience in geosynthetics in the Australasian market based in Brisbane. Jason has construction and design experience with geosynthetics and retaining structures.

Sean Hayes

State Manager WA/NT/SA

Sean Hayes studied Civil Engineering at the University of Technology in Sydney & has been actively involved in the field of geosynthetics for the past 26 years. For the first 5 of those 26 years, he was stationed in Sydney & was on the board of the Australian chapter of the IECA (International Erosion Control Association.) Since moving to Perth 23 years ago, Sean has held positions as state manager for Maccaferri & Ten Cate Nicolon, two of the largest companies in the fields of geosynthetics & erosion control worldwide.Sean is a past director of Global Synthetics Pty Ltd and oversees the WA, NT & SA regions for Global Synthetics and its subsidiaries. Along with the former directors in the eastern states, Sean opened the offices of Global Synthetics 15 years ago and saw the business grow to what is now the largest Australian owned company in the manufacture and distribution of geosynthetics, erosion control products & subsurface drainage.Sean currently sits on the panel for the Western Australian Pavements Group as well as the Western Australian Landfill Working Group

Amir Shahkolahi

National Technical Manager- AU/NZ

Amir has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a designer, project manager and researcher, he has been involved in Geosynthetic industry over the last 15 years. He is now the Vice-Chair of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Queensland chapter, member of the International Geosynthetic Society Technical Committees for reinforcement, Stabilisation, and Barriers. He is also an Industry Board member of the Australian Pavement Research Hub, member of the Standards Australia Technical Committee CE/032-Reinforced fill structures working group, and guest lecturer at Sunshine Coast University and University of Wollongong.

Chris Smith

Executive General Manager - Geosynthetics

Chris took an exciting opportunity in 2006 to be involved in the start-up of a new business and played a pivotal role in creating what we would call Global Synthetics today. Chris has been in the geosynthetic industry for over 18 years and spent the early part of his career working for Ten Cate. Some would say his involvement is 30 years+ as he has been in around geosynthetics much longer, having visited his first Gabion structure and keystone block walls being constructed at the age of 7. Today Chris is an integral part of the Global Synthetics Management Team. As National Sales Manager Chris is involved in large civil infrastructure projects having worked on such vital projects as Pacific Hwy Upgrade, Northconnex, Westconnex and Sydney Metro. Chris continues to be committed to delivering the values developed personally at the establishment of Global Synthetics ‘nothing is a hassle’.

Tricao Vo

Business Development Manager - Environmental Systems

Tricao Vo is a Senior Business Development Manager at Global Synthetics. He is a degree-qualified engineer from the University of Sydney and a 24 year veteran in the geosynthetics industry. Tricao’s technical expertise includes and is by no means limited to: reinforcement systems, erosion control systems, geotextiles. During the past decade his work has focused on environmental systems including all associated aspects of landfills, sewage and bioretention ponds, heap leach ponds, tailings storage ponds and even revegetation of these systems.

Amar Singh

Business Development Manager - Pavement

Amar Singh is an experienced and qualified Civil Engineer with more than 20 year’s engineering experience in pavement design and asset management. He has been with Global Synthetics for over 1 year and is in the role of BDM - Pavements and is a member of our dynamic technical team. He delivers geosynthetic reinforced design solutions for clients as well as organises knowledge sharing technical presentation opportunities. He has a drive to succeed and loves the diversity of technical engineering and business development. He likes building trusted relationships and respect with potential clients based on his experience and offers a high quality service in a very transparent way. He loves the challenges of each and every project as they are always unique and makes him think outside the box to provide a suitable and practical solution.

Andy Warwick

National Product Manager

Andy Warwick is a National Product Manager at Global Sythetics. Andy has been working in the geosynthetic industry for over fifteen years. He has worked at several large geosynthetic companies including Geofabrics (UK), Fiberweb and Polyfabrics. Andy has extensive experience in product development as well as a wide understanding of the various applications, standards and local country practices involved in the geosynthetic selection process. Andy has demonstrated an effective leadership style and is committed to sharing his knowledge of international learnings with his team. His journey thus far has been an exciting and lucky one and he looks forward to being an integral part of the Global Tech Team.

Alda Pacetta

Business Development Manager

A passionate Sales and Marketing Professional with over 20 years experience, operating in a number of different industries. I’ve worked in a diverse range of roles but with specific focus on: Digital/Social Media Strategy, Business Development, Project Marketing, Event Management and Account Management. I believe that success is a result of hard work, a passion for what you do and taking ownership of your work. I love working collaboratively with other passionate people and believe true success comes when the entire team wins.

Michael Bates

Regional Sales Manager VIC/SA/TAS

Professional and accomplished Global Key Account and Business Development Manager with 12 years’ international experience in construction, manufacturing and renewable energy. Skilled at rapidly learning new products and markets, defining and implementing effective strategies for new business development. Strong understanding of the European construction sector with demonstrated success in delivering profitable growth of technical building products. Adept at building consensus across complex matrix organisational structures, and delivering strategies directly and by influence through others. Passionate about leading by example and fostering collaborative team environments.

Shelly Wu

Technical Business Development Manager

Wu, Pei-Hsuan earned her master’s degree in civil engineering from National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan in 2007. She assisted several geosynthetics/geotechnical research projects during her study. With her passion for this green engineering material, she joined ACE Geosynthetics in 2008. She traveled around nationally and internationally to perform workshops and technical presentations to geosynthetics use in reinforced earth structures, slope erosion control, road engineering, including in embankment on soft soil and soft subgrade stabilization, hydraulic and environmental engineerings and to participate actively in the local projects, such as site assessment, design discussion and installation assistance. She, who had been in the position of Technical Assistant Manager in Oversea Marketing Department since March 2015, lead ACE technical team and support the varies projects involving in the expertise engineering field of geosynthetics application. She joined Alpha Pinnacle Sdn Bhd since October 2018, a Malaysian registered company with core expertise in geosynthetics materials, systems and solutions, to gain more engineering and marketing experience in South East Asia. She devotes herself to developing Alpha Pinnacle competitive geotechnical solutions, by leveraging on her extensive global experience and in-depth expertise in geosynthetics technology and has assisted to the various projects involved in geosynthetics use in road engineering, including in embankments on soft soil and soft subgrade stabilization, reinforced earth structures, slope erosion control, hydraulic engineering and so on.

Peter Bayndrian

Business Development Manager WA

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Darrel Cheong

Technical Business Development Manager WA

A professional New Zealand-educated Geotechnical Engineer with experience in geosynthetics, consulting and in Government & Public Policy. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a positive “can do” attitude, I am confident that I can add value to the organisation and contribute to the sector.

Sunny Joshi

Technical BDM - MSE Walling & SSP

An enthusiastic Civil Engineer with over three years’ experience specialising in design, estimation, tendering, technical sales, business development, site supervision, contract administration and project management and delivery.

Anas Adanan

Technical Business Development Manager WA

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Shelly White

National Support Officer

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Darryl Foo

Business Development Manager

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Case Studies

With more than a decade of experience, Global Synthetics has been a key partner in numerous projects across Australasia and the Pacific Region, delivering value-engineered and technically sound solutions for construction.