Executive team

Peter Woronzow - Chief Executive Officer (and Director General - Transport)

 After acting in the role for about 18 months, Peter Woronzow was confirmed as head of the transport portfolio in November 2021, assuming the positions of CEO of the PTA, Director-General of the Department of Transport, and Commissioner of Main Roads WA. As such, he is responsible for setting the strategic direction of transport in WA, shaping the development of a number of major integrated transport plans and leading the implementation of the State’s transformational capital projects.

Having previously been Managing Director of Main Roads, Peter brings a wealth of experience, having worked in the Transport Portfolio for several decades.

He is a member of CPA Australia, chairman of the Australian Road Research Board and a director on the Board of Austroads Ltd.

Mark Burgess - Managing Director

Mark leads the Executive team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the PTA and the many projects the PTA is involved in. Before moving to the Managing Director position in 2010, he was Executive Director of the Transperth system – Perth’s integrated bus, train and ferry system – for 12 years.

Mark joined the PTA at its creation in 2003, after six years with the Department of Transport and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI), when Transperth was managed under those agencies. Prior to joining the WA State Government in public transport roles, he gained extensive logistics, transport and people management skills during 21 years in the army.

Elwyn Gearon - Acting General Manager, Network & Infrastructure

Elwyn’s responsibilities include management and maintenance of the PTA railway network infrastructure and managing third party access to the PTA network.

Professionally, Elwyn is a degree qualified Mechanical Engineer, with additional qualifications in business and project management, and over 25 years’ experience working in public transport.

Mark Wirski - Acting General Manager, Transperth Train Operations

Mark has direct line responsibility for all customer service personnel, security personnel, train controllers, train drivers, service planners, depot staff and staff responsible for rollingstock procurement and maintenance (diesel and electric). He is responsible for promoting and managing the delivery of urban passenger rail to the highest customer service standards and is committed to ensuring the successful integration and delivery of expansions to the network.

Mark has a Commerce degree and more than 15 years’ experience in train operations in a variety of roles.

Tim Woolerson - General Manager Transwa

Tim’s responsibilities include managing the delivery of transport services through the regional train and road coach network, the maintenance of infrastructure, and the management of contracts.

Before joining the PTA, he spent six years in the private sector working in the vehicle fleet management field, and 21 years in the military, where he acquired extensive logistics and management experience and expertise.

Martin White - Executive Director Transperth System, Regional and School Bus Services

Martin's responsibilities include managing and marketing the Transperth system, comprising commercial bus contractors, a commercial ferry contractor and the urban passenger rail services.

He also oversees the management of Regional Town Bus Services and School Bus Services.

Garry Taylor - Acting Executive Director, Safety, Freight and Business Management Systems

Garry is responsible for strategic services in safety, policy, business and information management, workers’ compensation, risk management, disability access, environment, emergency management and strategic planning, as well as management of the freight rail network leases and the PTA’s involvement in freight rail network development initiatives. 

He joined the PTA from the British rail industry where he spent 25 years working in rollingstock engineering, asset management and train operating organisations.

Jeffrey Steedman - Executive Director, Finance and Contracts

As the Chief Finance Officer, Jeff is responsible for maintaining the PTA’s financial management and procurement systems and processes.

Jeff is a CPA and a fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants. He has more than 40 years’ experience in the transport sector having held senior roles in the Western Australian Government Railways and the Public Transport Authority.

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Brian Appleby - Executive Director, People and Organisational Development

Brian is responsible for strategic people management, as well as overseeing the delivery of functional human resource services for the PTA’s people.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in labour relations, human resource management, workforce services and learning and development. Brian is also vice-chair of the Logistics Training Council, and chair of the Australasian Railways Workforce Development Committee.

Ross Hamilton - Executive Director PTA Project Delivery

Ross is responsible for the delivery of major projects such as the Kenwick Freight Facility and Radio System Replacement project, the transport infrastructure component of the Perth Stadium project, the new Aubin Grove Station, the multi- storey car park at Edgewater Station and the Forrestfield-Airport Link.

Ross has worked for Westrail and the PTA in various roles including construction, planning, land rationalisation and maintenance.

David Hynes - Director Corporate Communications

David has contributed significantly to the PTA’s communications expertise and activities, specially in media relations.

He has previously worked as a media adviser to a senior Cabinet Minister; contributed to national and international publications as a freelance journalist; and run his own public relations consultancy.

This followed a 20-year career at WA Newspapers, culminating in a three-year stint as Business and Finance Editor of The West Australian.

Owen Thomas - Executive Director of Infrastructure Planning and Land Services

Owen oversees the planning for the future of Perth’s rail network including its integration within the wider transport system and urban development. He also manages the PTA’s wider land assets and environmental obligations.

Previously he worked as the PTA’s manager for Route and Infrastructure Utilisation Planning, and was a senior transit planner in the MAX Light Rail project team.