Team
REANNZ has a small, but highly committed and dedicated team of 12 people - the core which have a deep experience in telecommunications. To get in touch with one of our team, simply contact us.
REANNZ managers
Steve Cotter - Chief Executive
Steve Cotter has an extensive background in developing highly engineered, cutting-edge networking systems that require a deep understanding of advanced technologies and business drivers.
Steve joined REANNZ from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) in 2011. As the head of ESnet, he was responsible for providing high-performance networking to thousands of researchers and scientists at more than 40 national laboratories and research institutions. Prior to ESnet, he served as Google’s network deployment manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Before being hired by Google, Cotter worked for Internet2 as Deputy Operations Officer and was CEO & President of their wholly owned subsidiary, FiberCo.
He got his start in optical networking technologies as an engineer and program manager at Cisco Systems. Cotter also served as a Director in SBC Global Communications’ (now AT&T) network engineering and construction departments. He served eight years as an Officer and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cotter attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. He earned an MBA from Boston University.
Mark Cordy - Deputy Chief Executive and Operations Manager
Mark has responsibility for keeping the current network going and planning for and procuring the next one. He also helps to ensure REANNZ operates in an efficient manner.
Mark Cordy joined REANNZ from telecommunications consultancy Amos Aked Swift (NZ) Ltd. He has more than 30 years experience in telecommunications having held a variety of senior positions within Telecom New Zealand. His expertise includes commercial and contracts negotiation, specification and evaluation. His technical skills include standards and practices, transport and data systems, and network management systems. Mark holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Canterbury.
Chris Litten - Member Engagement Manager
Chris’ responsibilities include making sure that our members are happy, making the most out of their connection, and finding and delivering ways in which more value can be gained for their membership. He also is responsible for supporting new members to connect to the network, and assists the other managers to ensure REANNZ operates in an efficient manner.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Canterbury who spent 4 years in Switzerland and 6 years in Sweden. He worked for Biotech companies carrying out drug discovery. On returning to New Zealand he ran Industrial Research Ltd's "GlycoSyn" facility. Moving to the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, he was a Business Manager and finally a Regional Manager, responsible for nearly half of the Foundation's contracts with research providers. Chris brings client relationships skills, planning and a strong understanding of the New Zealand science system to REANNZ. He lives on the Kapiti Coast with his family.
Nicole Cherry - Corporate and Finance Manager
As REANNZ's Corporate & Finance Manager, Nicole is responsible for the financial management and corporate operations of REANNZ. She ensures that REANNZ operates in a financially efficient and sustainable manner, so that the network remains advanced infrastructure for years to come. Nicole joined REANNZ from accountancy firm KPMG, after working with REANNZ in a finance and commercial advisory capacity for 2½ years.
Born and bred in Wellington, Nicole gained a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University. She has also spent time in Hamburg, Germany studying International & Comparative Business Law, afterward working in various finance roles for media agencies in London. Nicole is a Chartered Accountant, and on winter weekends you will find her enjoying a game of hockey or snowboarding.
REANNZ staff
Richard Stephen - Deputy Operations Manager
Richard has responsibilities for guiding the network's evolution, development and related procurement; managing the administrative aspects of the KAREN RFC processes on behalf of the community, and contributing to the network standards and practices.
Richard has more than 30 years experience in telecommunications having held a variety of positions within Telecom New Zealand and Fujitsu. His expertise includes contracts preparation, specification, negotiation and evaluation. His technical skills include standards and practices, telecommunications network specification, architecture, design and construction for both fibre and high capacity microwave radio architectures and network management systems. Richard holds Electrical Engineering and PhD degrees from the University of Canterbury.
David Brownlie - Operations Specialist
David works on all technical matters relating to the day to day operation of the network including design, service management and tier 3 support. His primary relationships are with the technical staff of vendors, members and other Research and Education networks.
David joined REANNZ from Datacom where he managed a team designing, implementing and running tools for enterprise systems management capability. He has also worked at Telecom Advanced Solutions and as a network and security consultant for a variety of organisations. He was involved in the architecture and delivery of the global network for the New Zealand Dairy Board prior to the Fonterra merger. David graduated from Victoria University with degrees in Criminology and Social Policy.
Andrew McKegg - Operations Specialist
Andrew works on all technical matters relating to the day to day operation of the network including design, service management and tier 3 support. His primary relationships are with the technical staff of vendors, members and other Research and Education networks.
Andrew was most recently at EDS where he was Technical Lead of the Best Shore Network Engineering Team. He was involved in the global engineering and delivery of networking services for General Motors. He has also worked at Telecom Advanced Solutions as a Design Engineer and the Bank of New Zealand as an Infrastructure Specialist.
Desi Ramoo - Senior Member Engagement Specialist
As part of the engagement team Desi’s role is primarily one of communication and he keeps members informed on current activities and provides member feedback to REANNZ as required. Throughout the year Desivisits organisations to gain a better insight into their network-enabled research and educational use.
Desi immigrated to New Zealand with his family in early 2008 to work for BRANZ as a research scientist. At BRANZ he contributed to weathertightness and indoor air quality research where he was responsible for computational fluid dynamics modeling. Desi identified further research opportunities and obtained funding to lead his own projects in photovoltaics and ultrasound. He obtained his degree and PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Essex UK. During and after his PhD studies he developed mathematical and computational models to simulate semiconductor laser devices supplied by British Telecommunications.
Sam Russell - Network Support
Sam works on all technical matters relating to the day to day operation of the network including monitoring, tool development and tier 2 support. His primary relationships are with the technical staff of vendors, members, and other Research and Education networks.
Sam was in the initial intake of students to the Network Engineering degree at Victoria University, and graduated in 2011 with first class honours. He has previously worked in technical support at Tawa College, as a tutor at Victoria University, and as a web developer. In his spare time, Sam enjoys playing guitar, learning new languages, and continuing to migrate his home network to IPv6.
Andrea Jones - Network Process Specialist
Andrea is responsible for operational process improvement and management, ensuring technical and operational information related to the network is captured appropriately, and shared throughout the business and community. She also provides professional services for the National Education Network Trial Extension.
Andrea has worked in education for the past 8 years at the Ministry of Education and before that at Victoria University. At the Ministry of Education she worked with schools helping them to submit their roll data manually and electronically. Andrea is a graduate of Massey University and in her spare time likes to play a round of bowls with friends.
Claudia Campbell - Accountant
Claudia is REANNZ's Accountant, supporting the financial workings of REANNZ by producing high quality financial reports and analysis for management, the board and our other stakeholders.
Claudia joined REANNZ from accountancy firm WHK, where she worked in the Business Advisory Services team. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accountancy at Victoria University, Claudia recently gained membership as a Chartered Accountant with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. In her spare time, Claudia enjoys riding her horse, taking the dog for a walk or happily in the kitchen baking up a storm.
Marilyn Scannell - Office Administrator
Mazz is REANNZ's Office Executive, and supports the REANNZ team by ensuring the office operates efficiently and effectively.
Mazz originally trained and practiced as a teacher before joining the financial sector where she held a number of senior roles including development of the Insurance arm of a bank, establishment of the first help desk operations, quality assurance of large data transfer projects and numerous other project coordinator and management roles. She has tertiary qualifications in Education and Psychology. Mazz is also active in the wider community and holds positions of responsibility on numerous educational and community Boards. She has a wide range of interests including reading, the arts, travel, furniture restoration, community development, sailing, skiing and golf.