the team | PQI

Meet your Team

Across the entire PQI Group, from apprentices to our leadership team, in all positions we have some truly amazing team members on board, all dedicated to producing positive outcomes for and with you.

This close-knit team shares an absolute passion for this business, each other and what we do each and every day. No matter whether from PQI Fitout, PQI Joinery or PQI Maintenance, every single person is committed to their trade, their roles, their team mates, their results and you as a PQI client.

Each of these people bring commitment, experience, heart and their personal influence from all walks of life, the one common thread? In most cases, years and years in the construction industry and for many, years and years working with PQI!

Quite uniquely, we have people on our team who have been serving our clients as a key part of this team for 25 years, 21 years, 20 years … We think that’s quite something in what can be a tough business like this, indicating something special about our culture and better yet? This sees you harness deep experience saving time, effort and of course money.

Consider the group of leaders listed here are just the tip of the PQI iceberg, with many more diligent, hard-working and skilled team members bringing every effort to achieving our shared goals for you and for PQI Group as a whole.

Management

Brad Dunne

Managing Director

0412 757 486

Profile

Craig Stewart

General Manager

0413 666 642

Profile

Sandra Lysaght

Financial Manager

0487 777 811

Profile

Arthur McKinley

Publicist

0414 938 777

Profile

Fitout Team

Josh Turner

Fitout Manager

0458 417 226

Profile

Wayne Middleton

Project Manager

0466 882 512

Profile

Chloe Marando

Fitout/Estimating Assistant

0420 273 325

Profile

Jasmin Collins

Fitout/Estimating Assistant

0401 938 616

Profile

Joinery Team

Nathan Meers

Joinery Manager

0406 013 665

Profile

Paul Gollan

Project Manager

0423 978 022

Profile

Darren Howe

Joinery Design

1300 962 542

Profile

Maintenance Team

Jim Walker

Maintenance Manager

0433 690 660

Profile

Pradeep V Raja

Project Manager

0450 766 492

Profile

Olivia Moon

Administration

0458 417 278

Profile

Brad Dunne

Managing Director | 0412 757 486

Inspiration.

From a one-man band, starting with nothing much but a drive, a passion and a vision, to now a market leader is quite the journey …

And that’s exactly the inspirational journey that Brad Dunne has taken the PQI Group on over the last 31 years.

From the group’s humble beginnings in Brad’s laundry in his home in Chirn Park on Australia’s Gold Coast, to being the pre-eminent high-end fitout, joinery and maintenance provider … Brad’s success is to be congratulated and, his vast experience is without peer.

Right now, Brad continues to be a leader that demonstrates daily a commitment to excellence, empowerment of others, absolute determination, positive problem solving, a “can do” one team collaborative approach, attention to detail and; a focus on building very real relationships – in fact, partnerships – with clients and team alike, all with a dose of cheeky fun thrown in.

And, you’ll see all of these characteristics reflected in PQI’s amazing leadership team from Craig Stewart, to Josh Turner, to Nathan Meers and Jim Walker and others too.

Brad’s heartfelt belief that you: “build your people and the people will build the business” has meant that the PQI Group has a team of incredible longevity, experience, skills and passion who do exactly that under his leadership.

And who focus, as Brad does, on fulfilling each and every client’s vision successfully.

You would think with 31 years in business, a highly regarded, well known and respected brand, Brad could take the foot off the pedal but no, Brad is more determined than ever to see PQI Group be what he calls: “a hundred year company”.

A company that lasts and lasts purely because of the sheer value it adds, the quality of its work and its people and the difference it makes to its clients and the community.

Pretty inspiring right? We think so.

Brad is married to Sharon and lives in Perth, Western Australia overseeing the Group’s growing operations in the West and supporting Craig Stewart and the Leadership Team to fulfil the journey to that 100-year company.

Other than creating beautiful built environments, Brad’s passions are surfing, motor racing and boating and of course, sampling the fine wines and food of the great south west as Brad would say “somebody has to do it!”

Craig Stewart

General Manager | 0413 666 642

LEADERSHIP.

Starting his career as an energetic 17-year old apprentice, Craig has grown just like the business has grown, from plucky start up to polished performer! Being part of PQI Group – and delivering the incredible results PQI produces time and time again – has quite literally been Craig Stewart’s working life.

In fact, he has had his hand in every client engagement – almost every major and minor project since 1999 – so if you see a project like Tag Heuer, to Ford, to Bond University Craig has had something to do with it.

Forging experience from that beginning as a bright-eyed apprentice, to site manager, to estimator, to project manager of multitudes of extraordinarily complex high-end luxury projects, and ultimately, to leader over the last 21 years … Craig brings to the table an incredible knowledge bank of genuine, hands-on experience at every single level of producing results for clients and of the PQI Group itself.

Now leading the charge as General Manager since June 2019, Craig relishes leveraging that wealth of experience for the greatest good – positive outcomes for clients and all involved.

Working side by side with each Team Leader & Finance, Craig oversees all aspects of the business – fitout, joinery and maintenance – and the incredible teams and individuals across the entire business, from the factory floor to out on site to produce outstanding results.

Craig’s dedication, loyalty, integrity, commitment to deliver and exceed expectations, team spirit and leadership are second to none.

All those qualities are reflected in his special ability to mentor, motivate and mould people into being leaders in their own right. His belief that “everyone leads” means he fosters leadership in every person and team to successfully lead tasks, projects and powerful outcomes.

Fundamentally, Craig leads PQI Group and its key relationships with clients, subcontractors and suppliers, not from some theoretical place but from having been there and done that – a deep and broad experience in both building and business – that fosters positive relationships, produces fantastic results for all and sees each and every project and the business thriving.

Never one to shout it from the rooftops despite all of his accomplishments and skills, Craig is also our quiet achiever. Humbly working away to make all that happen. And with the amazing PQI team, make it happen he does.

Craig’s down time is best spent with wife Shelby, two kids Maddox & Nyah, family, and friends where he resides on Australia’s Gold Coast. Gym training, running, football and generally being active are an important part of the balance in Craig’s life, not to mention a few drinks by the water for a moment of relaxation too!

Sandra Lysaght

Financial Manager | 0487 777 811

The Rock.

Like the foundations of a great building that stand the test of time, it’s safe to say that for the last 21 years Sandra has been the bedrock of PQI Group.

Working alongside Managing Director and Founder Brad Dunne from 10 years into this 31-year journey so far, Sandra has been there for every major stage of growth and development.

But far from being a spectator as sometimes can happen in Admin & Finance – Sandra has been and continues to be a significant influence and voice in the business. Her skilled Financial Management has seen PQI Group go from strength to strength and build a very strong Balance Sheet – one most construction companies would frankly, envy.

That strength – and Sandra’s strength leading the way in this arena – gives the business confidence.

Confidence for our clients.
Confidence to be competitive.
Confidence to continue to grow.
Confidence to hold tight and keep pushing during crazy times like 2020.
Confidence to continue to take on marquee and flagship projects time and time again.
Confidence to collaborate as a team and with our greatest priority: our clients.

Her many accomplishments in the business include working in every area of office administration and finance within PQI, through to developing a sophisticated spreadsheet based, incredibly accurate estimating database, that continues to expand and grow and drives accuracy and outcomes for estimating through to Project Management for PQI and clients alike.

Sandra is passionate about systems and believes in “constant and never-ending improvement”. As such she is always looking for ways to speed up, simplify and improve PQI’s processes and procedures. Her work in these arenas continues to make PQI better and better for all concerned.

Sandra loves spending time in the garden, renovating, sharing a beer with friends around the fire pit, playing a mad game of hockey and travelling to see the wonders of the world. Sandra also has two grown up daughters who grew up as part of the PQI family!

Arthur McKinley

Publicist | 0414 938 777

Consummate Professional.

Arthur has been involved in business all his working life and his enthusiasm and drive saw him given opportunities that eventually led to management and director roles in a range of successful enterprises.

In 2000 McKinley Group was formed specialising in marketing and PR. Fairly quickly successful relationships developed with a diverse range of companies, including The Ray Group, Villa World, SV Partners, Bos Properties, ECN Technology and QCN Fibre, to name a few.

Arthur was introduced to Brad Dunne, the Founder and Managing Director of PQI by Villa World Director Gerry Lambert in 2011. A story was developed and published about how PQI was founded and this great association has continued ever since.

Being able to develop long-term relationships has been the key to Arthur’s success in business. He thinks the greatest asset of any enterprise is its people and has been delighted to see PQI Group grow.

Married to Nellie with two children, Karen and Chrissy, and two grandchildren Scarlett and Daisy, life has proven to be great. Arthur loves the Gold Coast, boating, entertaining and meeting new people are characteristic of life in the McKinley household.

has proven to be how great life can be on the Gold Coast. Boating, entertaining and meeting new people are characteristic of life in the McKinley household.

Josh Turner

Fitout Manager | 0458 417 226

DEDICATION.

For all of his career, from his first day he arrived at PQI Group as a fresh faced 17-year old to now, Josh has been an avid, motivated learner, with an incredible work ethic, dedicated to the job at hand.

Someone motivated to continually discover, grow, challenge himself, apply knowledge and produce results.

To say he’s been truly focused on honing his craft is an understatement …

From the beginning he has been a sponge, soaking up the knowledge and brilliance of the experts he was surrounded with from our inspiring Managing Director Brad Dunne to many others. As he was exposed to all aspects of the business, across estimating, design, joinery, shopfitting itself, brand management and leadership, he applied what he learnt in the field immediately.

As such, he now proudly draws on those 20-years of experience delivering many successful multi-million dollar builds across the luxury retail and other sectors for our amazing clients, in his leadership role as our very capable Fitout Team Manager.

In this role, Josh focuses on leading a great team of Project Managers and Site Supervisors across Australia, the Pacific and Asia, who all work under the umbrella that is PQI Group, to “plan the work and work the plan”.

In true Josh form, he also continually looks to grow and give back to the company that he says “has given him so much”. With that heart, and the dedication Josh demonstrates daily, he’s an integral part of PQI and our client’s lives.

Josh enjoys staying active in his down time via gym and indoor cricket. He also enjoys spending time with friends, taking the kids to sports on the weekends and says that “camping with the family is the ultimate”.

Wayne Middleton

Project Manager | 0466 882 512

VERSATILE.

With a career path of 31 years to rival PQI Group itself, Wayne has a rare versatility.

Starting as an apprentice carpenter and joiner in 1989, Wayne has a wealth of experience across the entire building industry – from domestic, to commercial to retail building environments.

This makes him one of our most versatile and experienced Project Managers.

For the last 4 years Wayne has brought that wide and deep background in construction, as well as his strong work ethic, skillset, and passion for quality to PQI Group and our client’s amazing projects.

Unlike many other construction businesses, where the Estimators estimate and the Project Managers manage … at PQI group, a Project Manager owns the project from beginning to end. That means they estimate and when successful, as the Project Manager, are then accountable with the joinery and site teams, with the contractors and suppliers, for seeing to it that we build to that estimate.

We think this drives personal responsibility, accountability and partnership with our clients from the beginning of a project to handover. Given that, as a Project Manager and Estimator with PQI, Wayne has been instrumental in securing and successfully delivering complex luxury retail and joinery projects throughout Australia.

Away from work, Wayne enjoys his time trail running, surfing, fishing, riding motorbikes, martial arts, playing guitar, having a BBQ and beers with friends and spending time with his family.

Chloe Marando

Fitout/Estimating Assistant | 0420 273 325

DRIVEN.

Chloe’ was welcomed into PQI in 2018, starting out working alongside our project management teams, she quickly settled into assisting on all aspects of projects and estimating within the Fitout Team.

She is a self-motivated and driven player and has a comprehensive exposure to many aspects of what it takes to successfully deliver complex and luxurious projects for some of the world’s best-known brands.

From determining project scopes, to drawings requirements and generating accurate cost estimates – to interacting with clients, designers and engineers to analysing proposals, Chloe’ demonstrates her passion and commitment to exceed project goals each and every day.

Chloe’ is someone who continues to build her tool kit and evolve with the business. She adds much to the team through her positivity and drive to succeed.

Travel is in her bones, Chloe’ is a sun worshiper and water baby at heart, Chloe’ laps up most of her time out being busy with her husband and three kids. Enjoying anything on high beta from wake boarding, to mountain biking, running, Muay Thai and football.

Jasmin Collins

Fitout/Estimating Assistant | 0401 938 616

Determination.

With 8-years experience in cabinet making, Jasmin’s determination to grow in this industry has seen her swap the tools of the trade to the finesse of estimating.

Joining the PQI Fitout team 2 years ago Jasmin works closely with Fitout Team Manager Josh Turner, honing estimates and assisting across projects, talking with contractors, suppliers, engineers and certifiers to support all our PQI Fitout projects.

Her hard work and determination has seen her flourish and broaden her knowledge of the industry, estimating and project management quickly. She continually strives for great things and is motivated to achieve higher goals, continuing her journey from cabinet making to estimating to project management over time.

Her love of the construction industry means she is always up for a challenge and a deadline, in good spirits following the PQI mantra of exceeding customer expectations and delivering on time and on budget.

Weekends and down time is spent with her 10 year old son, keeping active at Crossfit with friends and outdoors.

Nathan Meers

Joinery Manager | 0406 013 665

Experience.

Beginning in commercial office fit outs with his Uncle Al at the tender age of 16, Nathan Meers is a lot like our PQI Joinery Team; what we call “a hidden gem”.

With a strong work ethic and attention to detail instilled in him so early, Nathan, like our joinery business itself, has so much deep and detailed experience to give to those who recognize the true value and work closely with him and his amazing team. And give he does.

Over the last 30 years – yes 30 – as a cabinet maker and joiner, Nathan has done everything in the joinery world. From high-end, luxury, fine furniture, to extremely detailed and complex joinery, to motor home fitouts to luxury retail and commercial to residential and high-rise apartments, the list goes on and on.

He has also achieved in every role possible from Joiner, to Drafter where he started at PQI in 2015, to Factory Foreman, to Production Manager in 2018 and now as Joinery Team Leader. In this role, Nathan oversees and leads the entire PQI Group Joinery business.

In his understated and yet passionate way, a way unique to Nathan; Nathan leads the charge at PQI Group Joinery. From new business development – fostering relationships with architects, builders and other construction groups – to enthusiastically ensuring a productive, positive and safe factory with an amazing team culture – to mentoring apprentices – right through to triple checking installation, he’s across it.

In fact, he’s all over it.

With a reputation inside and out of PQI Group, for his dedication, strong focus & eagerness to produce results for clients and grow the business, Nathan is a born leader bringing decades of experience, knowledge, skill & ability to any project … including yours.

And he does all that, while creating a team focused environment that takes great personal pride in being on time and on budget for clients, exceeding client expectations & delivering exceptional, quality craftsmanship time and time again.

On the personal front, Nathan works to live but also lives to work and … play golf!

Paul Gollan

Project Manager | 0423 978 022

Unity.

Lead Installer.
Site Manager.
Factory Foreman.
Project Manager.
That’s quite the pathway!

In so many cases across the industry, Project Managers have barely set foot on the joinery factory floor let alone been an installer or a foreman.

That means they can sometimes lack the practical understanding of what it is that’s being built – why the design will or won’t work – and how to make it work inside the constraints of any site or project that can arise. Not so in Paul’s case …

Arriving at PQI Group as a contractor with a wealth of experience and industry knowledge 7 years ago, Paul quickly became a Lead Installer, from there a successful Site Manager and on to Factory Foreman.

However, it was Paul’s ability to efficiently run complex projects alongside his passion to deliver quality work to our clients that exceeded their expectations, that saw him progress to his current role as Project Manager.

The other things we love about Paul (and you will too) – his strong work ethic, passion for quality, calm demeanour and interdisciplinary industry knowledge that makes him innovative on the job and; last but not least, his commitment to results.

On time and on budget.

Better yet, while project management isn’t always easy, and we all know despite all the planning in the world there can be a great deal of troubleshooting required … No matter what is happening, under what tight deadlines or pressures, Paul is the embodiment of collaboration – in fact, unity.

He works as one with his peers, site team, contractors, suppliers and of course, clients. Never an “us and them”, instead it’s always “we” and “how” … “How do we make this happen for the best possible outcome in the best possible timeframe, together?” His unwavering commitment to that level of unified approach is a breath of fresh air.

On the weekends Paul loves everything outdoors from fishing, boating, motorbike riding, gardening, spending quality time with the family along with a healthy side of renovating houses – of course more construction project management!

Darren Howe

Joinery Design | 1300 962 542

Comprehensive.

Microvellum.
Pytha.
PallettCAD
AUTOCAD.
Not everyone knows what these names mean but being able to draft on all of them means you have a completely comprehensive skill set.
A skill set held by Mr Darren Howe.

In fact, his 32-year resume reads like a job functions list for the carpentry and joinery arenas…

Carpenter/Joiner building houses, multistorey buildings and specialty factories.

Site Fitter/Installer. Machine Shop Manager. Factory Foreman. Production Manager.

Initially driven by a need to hand draft architectural drawings for production as part of his tasks as a Production Manager, Darren was introduced to AUTOCAD 19 years ago. And, as they say, that was all she wrote! Darren quickly moved into this specialized field.

With his comprehensive skills across multiple drafting platforms, it is little wonder Darren is the “go to specialist” for extremely complex designs for high end projects, especially shopfronts and joinery.

Becoming part of the PQI Group 6 years ago, with his deep appreciation for almost every key role in the process, Darren has a passion for and leads the charge for absolute excellence in drafting such that the manufacturing, installation and build processes go smoothly.

On his down time, Darren loves volunteering as the bar manager at his local Rugby League football club, watching Rugby League & motor racing, making things with timber (of course!), working on cars & doing whatever his wife & kids tell him to do!

Jim Walker

Maintenance Manager | 0433 690 660

Steadfast.

Welcomed into PQI Group in 2016 to lead the evolution of the Maintenance Division, Jim has been instrumental in seeing that team grow in capability, services and an ever-expanding client base.

For instance, Jim and the team’s work with flagship store Cartier, has set the standard for just what a true ongoing partnership to manage a key brand asset well, and save Cartier thousands in the process, can look like…

Jim has been steadfast in his leadership of the Maintenance team from fledgeling to fast growing, with a focus on truly managing a client’s assets as if they were our own.

To Jim and this team, going into to a facility or store to conduct repairs, re-fits, updates or scheduled maintenance doesn’t ever feel like “going to a job” … instead Jim and the team under his leadership, operate as if they are going to our very own business or site and as such, treat each with an entirely different level of respect and service.

Jim has steered the Maintenance team to now be able to offer an extensive range of services customised to meet the individual needs of each store or facility. Each offering is designed to save the client thousands or help them generate more business from an existing site.

Supported by a well credentialled in-house team and an extensive list of trades and specialists, Jim derides great satisfaction in ensuring the clients are always first priority. His steadfast focus on the client’s needs, solving sometimes complex problems under difficult services, collaborating with a great team of contractors and truly believing that “prevention is better than the cure”, Jim continues to lead the growth of this division in service of our clients.

Outside of PQI Jim still likes to relive his youth; annual surf trips to exotic overseas destinations are always a priority! In between, weekend getaways, a few ‘sundowners’ with friends and a love of the unexpected occupies his time. Jim is the proud father of four young adults who have each graduated from university and are making their way in life.

Pradeep V Raja

Project Manager | 0450 766 492

Motivation.

Tiffany & Co • TAG Heuer • Burberry

Ferrero • Kinder • Godiva

Hennessey • Johnny Walker • Jack Daniels

The Middle East • Africa • Asia/Pacific

The above is a list of just some of the projects and where these projects were located internationally, that Pradeep has successfully project managed.

So it was only natural that Pradeep would find us in 2018 and bring that Project Management experience to the home of construction in Australia and the Pacific for many of those brands, PQI Group.

As a result of his years of construction and project management experience, Pradeep is someone deeply committed to quality and efficiency.

Alongside his international perspective, he brings a unique understanding of the power of balancing real-world construction experience with the development of ever improving management systems that drive just that – quality and efficiency.

Given that passion, Pradeep has taken on PQI Group’s ISO-9000 Certification to drive exceeding client expectations and ensure an impeccable, quality delivery of work – every time.

Pradeep has worked tirelessly in this regard, with certification being accomplished very shortly – an absolute rarity in our industry. This will be yet another indicator of our commitment to forging the way, as we have for the last 31 years …

A passionate, enthusiastic, motivated person, Pradeep is also committed to the ongoing development and broadening of his knowledge and skills within the building industry to benefit each and every client and the PQI team as a whole.

So much so, Pradeep is now applying his experience, working within our burgeoning Maintenance Team – to drive the growth, development and the services we offer in that arena, saving money for and, making our client’s lives all the better for it.

Married to dentist Asha, Pradeep is a nature lover and a serious foodie. He enjoys his favourite hobbies – cooking, adventure travelling, archery and shooting and loves living on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Olivia Moon

Administration | 0458 417 278

Expertise.

25 years doing any one thing surely makes you an expert – yes?

Yes.

And that’s exactly what Olivia Moon has accomplished with 25 years experience in luxury retail management!

She knows exactly what is like to be in a luxury flagship store day in and day out.

She knows, from a very practical, hands on point of view, exactly what it’s like when the store is perfect.

On brand. On point. On the money. And …what it’s like when it’s not.

She understands the impact on Store leadership. Store team members. And of course, highly sought after, store brand customers.

That’s why she is the perfect addition to our PQI Maintenance Team. Joining PQI in 2019, Olivia’s in-depth understanding of retail operations from the lense of the client’s perspective, absolutely means our maintenance team are far better equipped to deliver truly practical and cost-effective maintenance solutions to our clients that work.

From designing and implementing tailored schedule maintenance programs, coordinating ad hoc and emergency repairs as well as planning for minor store renovations and display initiatives … Olivia delivers the best in client service and relishes the chance to nurture the client relationships that PQI Group are renowned for, by bringing her special expertise and retail operations lense of expertise to any client matter.

When not discovering new cuisines or cultivating her tropical garden, Olivia can be found on the yoga mat or out on the water enjoying the QLD lifestyle with her partner and family.

Covid-19

While Covid-19 has been disruptive for all, PQI Group has put in place Covid safe practices in our HQ offices, our factory and on all our project sites.

Safe social distancing, hand sanitiser, masks where appropriate and of course, refraining from work if unwell are basics that make the difference.

At PQI Group, we take Covid-19 seriously and will continue to follow the medical advice of the Government and related authorities to ensure the safety of our team, suppliers, contractors and of course, our clients.