EGR USA announces the appointment of Damien Rickards as its new chief operating officer, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in operations management.
Born in the small country town of Biloela, Queensland, Australia, Rickards’ journey from packing products on the floor to leading large-scale projects is a testament to his dedication and leadership, according to company officials.
“EGR USA is about to undergo a period of growth that is incredibly exciting to be a part of. To harness the team and lead them through this next phase of challenges is a huge responsibility and one that I am eager to undertake,” said Rickards. “My goal for the entire team is to ensure that we are well-prepared to surface and solve any problems that may arise and to support all members of the team in achieving success.”
Rickards’ career began packing products at EGR while pursuing his university studies at night. His hard work and commitment quickly paid off as he moved up the ranks within the company, serving as quality officer in the Extrusion Division, then acrylics operations manager, and later, TPD Operations Manager.
His experience in these roles has equipped him with a deep understanding of the company’s operations and a strong foundation in leadership, the company states.
In 2019, Rickards left EGR to take on the role of QLD Operations Manager for a major steel reinforcing company. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in securing the bid for Queensland’s largest infrastructure project in history—Cross River Rail. This project, valued at $5.4 billion, includes Queensland’s first underground rail system, spanning 10.2 kilometers with four stations and utilizing approximately 80,000 tons of steel, officials noted.
“Rickards’ leadership has been a breath of fresh air. His continued support for EGR Inc. as a group has brought our internal team closer together and we’re excited about the direction he’s taking us,” said Bryan Speers, vice president at EGR USA.
