Executive

Martin Chimes
Director
Martin has been building successful businesses for more than 30 years. Originally qualified as a chartered accountant, he also has experience in all aspects of operations, finance and marketing. Martin was Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Express, Australia’s largest listed office Supplies Company with sales of over $900 million per annum and has been the founding shareholder of a multitude of companies that have become leaders in their field.

Peter Baron
Director
Peter is a qualified graphic & industrial designer. He has won an Australian Design Award and patented and commercialised a number of successful products for over 30 years. Peter is the creator of the Unistraw™ Delivery System.

Alan Wahlhaus
Director 
Alan is a qualified accountant in three countries: Australia; the USA; and South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Accounting degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Alan has held various senior executive roles ranging from trading commodities to Finance Director of listed companies.

Tim York
Managing Director
Tim is a qualified Engineer with a background in strategy consulting, manufacturing, and sales. Tim has previously worked with Coca-Cola Amatil, Ernst & Young, and Amcor.

Sales and Marketing

Michael Connolly
Global Sales & Licensing Director
Michael's background includes strategic business development in high-value business infrastructure companies. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies – majoring in economics and politics from University of Limerick (Ireland) and University of Vienna.Send email

David Levine
Commercial Director
David has over 20 years experience in international sales, marketing and business management in the following industries: hospitality; publishing; and FMCG. His diverse range of experience has given him exposure to organisations such as United Distillers, and General Media.Send email

Bas Melssen
Commercial Director – Asia
Bas has been working in the Asian region since 1997. His background is in brand strategy consulting and FMCG marketing. Prior to joining Unistraw he headed up the Malaysian operations for Global brand consultancy FutureBrand; was the General Manager of Marketing for a regional FMCG company; and was involved in launching Sipahh in Malaysia.Send email

Tony Been
Commercial Director – Americas and

Middle East
Tony’s background includes sales and marketing experience working with L’Oreal, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Lion Nathan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University majoring in Marketing and Behavioural Studies.Send email

Adam Ballesty
Global Brand Director

Adam  has had 15 very passionate years in brand marketing in the FMCG and beverage industries, working with Nestle and Jack Daniels. Adam has also been involved in start-ups in innovation and research. Adam jumps out of bed wanting to change the world one straw at a time.

Chris Stock
Managing Director, Unistraw Australia

Chris has an extensive background within the FMCG industry specializing in Sales, Marketing and Operational management. In the last 20 years Chris has spent much of his career within Australia's largest blue chip FMCG companies.

Brian Direen
Project Development Manager
Brian has a wide business background, focused on new product development, market research, brand development, strategic planning, marketing, and operations.

Manufacturing and R&D

Ken Palazzi
Director, International Operations
Ken is a professional Mechanical Engineer with an industrial background including large machinery installations; plant modification; managing casting and extrusion operations; and managing a flexible packaging plant. This involved printing, laminating and fabricating high-technology flexible products; factory upgrades including large machinery installations and standardization of production families; and technical management and development of critical customers and products within the flexible packaging industry.

Liz Perle
R&D Director
Liz has had 15 years experience in New Product Development, working mainly in the FMCG industry. Liz has worked in both Australia and Europe and previously worked for Uncle Toby’s and Kellogg.

Corporate Services, Finance and Legal

Paul Christesen

Group Financial Controller

Paul has over 30 years of experience in commercial, operational and change management across major Australian FMCG organizations. These include: Arnotts; Tooheys; Nestle; and Goodman Fielder.

Daniella Bonanno
Legal Counsel
Previously a lawyer with Coles Myer, Daniella has a background in property, retail; and commercial law, and in law firms.