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Defence Teaming Centre, a non-profit organisation focused on the South Australian defence sector, has appointed three new members to its board to support the development of their organisation.
The Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) has introduced three new members to its board with the aim of increasing the member-based association’s 2025–28 strategy. The DTC is a leading non-profit, member-based organisation that invests all its earnings into the Australian defence sector, with a specific focus on South Australia.
Joining the board is Andy Semmler who is the head of industry development and engagement SSN AUKUS at ASC and has over 30 years of experience in the defence industry across sea, air and land. Emilio De Stefano, CEO and managing director of defence management and security consultancy De Stefano & Co is also joining, recently winning the 2025 defence industry’s Cyber Business of the Year award. Tony Kyriacou, Defence Partnerships director at Flinders University, is the third new member to join the board, bringing experience from Defence SA where he aided in promoting major defence programs.
“The addition of Andy Semmler, Emilio De Stefano and Tony Kyriacou strengthen our ability to deliver on our five core priorities,” DTC chair Mike Hartas said.
“We are committed to strengthening connections across Australia and with global partners to support AUKUS and international initiatives, while growing a robust and balanced mid-tier sector to foster innovation and competition.
“Andy, Emilio and Tony can add significant value to these efforts through their experience, capability and networks,” he said.
Duncan Milne, Peter Richings and Wendy Smith are all being re-elected onto the board, with Travis Shueard, Duncan Milne and Peter Richings remaining in their executive positions. Standing down from the board are Thomas Tizard and Naomi Smith.
The DTC 2025-28 strategy has a primary goal of strengthening and increasing connections for members in the defence industry, uplift workforce and manufacturing development, and advocate for the defence industry on a national level.
“We have announced a series of very impactful industry capability development initiatives to ensure that DTC delivers on its mandate at a time when the industry’s future has never looked more promising,” Hartas said.
