Not everyone in the team wants to be up here on this page in the glare of the Internetz, and that's perfectly OK :-) They are still our much loved Nerds.
Dean Alphey

Dean Alphey

Leo Cartwright

Leo Cartwright

Hailing from the land of Geordies, Leo possesses a unique blend of technical brilliance and Geordie charm that can fix any tech problem with a wink and a smile. Rumor has it that printers cower in fear at the mere mention of his name.

When it comes to hardware transportation, Leo defies the laws of physics. Levitating stacks of computers, monitors, and all sorts of tech gear into client offices, he effortlessly glides through narrow doorways and crowded hallways.

Leo is also a mad keen soccer fan, and his passion for the game is unparalleled. You can often find him engrossed in heated discussions about the latest matches, analyzing tactics, and predicting the outcomes with uncanny accuracy. Just be careful not to get between him and his beloved team, or you might witness a spectacle that rivals a printer malfunction in its intensity.

Ray Dumesny

Ray Dumesny

Captain of everything Sensible
With 20+ years in the industry, Ray is one of our most experienced specialists focussing on procurement, vendor management, inside sales and contract and project architecture and management. Ray organises stuff. Including lunch. And always closes. When he's not doing that he races insanely fast karts. About those open tickets, ppl .....
Barbara Fong

Barbara Fong

Ministry of Finance
Barbara keeps the herd in line, even the 'Nerd Herder' himself. She keeps the cogs turning in the office. She qualified as a company administrator in United Kingdom. She and her husband co-founded the start-up of NetConnect Communications, one of the first Regional ISP’s in Australia. She is also a mean cook and loves a glass or 3 of champagne. Who's got this call??
George Fong

George Fong

Nerd Herder
George is the co-founder (along with Barbara) and Nerd Herder of the company. George moved to Australia in 1987 with Barbara, and basically stayed. He comes from Planet Linux. George likes riding motorcycles that are too big and fast for him. He likes surfing the Internet. Some say I invented the internet. Some may be slightly exaggerating. But it’s true I didn't break it.
David Fong

David Fong

IT Glitch Hunter and Bulbasaur tamer
David is a passionate Graphic Designer with a background in IT customer support. Combining his love for Pokémon, Celine Dion and an ardent fan of Norwegian group Aqua, he infuses his designs with a unique and vibrant style.

With exceptional communication skills and a commitment to providing top-notch service, David excels in addressing technical issues and ensuring customer satisfaction.

His keen eye for aesthetics and dedication to delivering visually captivating designs make him a valuable asset in crafting engaging visual content and user-friendly interfaces. Beyond his professional pursuits,

David enjoys attending live concerts and expanding his Pokémon collection, which fuel his creativity and bring fresh perspectives to his work.

Luke Fong

Luke Fong

CEO (LP) and maker of Chaos
Luke is the technical specialist and CEO at Lateral Plains. He comes with significant experience having worked as a technical specialist and change manager for IBM in 2008. Here he worked with large corporate clients - Westpac, Medicare, Myer, Victoria Police and Newcrest Mining Limited. Luke loves the mechanics behind why things work a certain way, this is where his other love of Karting comes from. Wears keyboards out. Beers after work ppl?
 Aidan Kofoed

Aidan Kofoed

Anomoly Fixer and Miniature Sci-Fi Guru

When it comes to navigating the digital realm, Aidan is a true sorcerer, casting spells with lines of code that make technical gremlins disappear faster than you can say "404 error." He's like a coding Gandalf, guiding users through the treacherous paths of technology, ensuring a smooth journey for all.

When he's not debugging in the tech-savvy realm, you can find him immersed in the ethereal melodies of Sleep Token. Rumor has it that he's on a first-name basis with each band member and can harmonize with their tunes like a seasoned rockstar, With Aidan around, our office playlist never misses a beat.

Aidan's creativity extends to crafting miniature sci-fi wonders that seem to teleport right out of a futuristic utopia. His models are so realistic that we often wonder if he's secretly building portals to other galaxies during his coffee breaks.

Shane Mattson

Shane Mattson

Bug Detector and Caffeine Custodian

Shane is the elder wizard of both Linux and Windows realms, and the unparalleled virtuoso of the virtual Microsoft Office. If the digital universe were a bustling metropolis, he'd be the seasoned explorer who knows all the secret shortcuts and hidden passages.

In a world where mere mortals struggle to comprehend the intricacies of technology, Shane dances through the ones and zeroes with the grace of a caffeinated hummingbird.

When he's not taming virtual beasts, Shane dons his other hat—literally and figuratively—as the revered CoffeeMaster of the office. The aroma of his creations is rumored to have a calming effect on malfunctioning machines, coaxing them back to life with the promise of caffeinated bliss.

If you're ever lost in the vast expanse of Microsoft Office, fear not, for Shane Mattson is the undisputed cartographer of this digital labyrinth.
In the office, Shane is both a tech guru and a source of learning, turning complex problems into interactive learning sessions.

Jarrad Pumpa

Jarrad Pumpa

The Supreme Finder and Acquirer
Jarrad smashes through our inside sales and procurement requests, whilst listening to vast amounts of K-Pop and J-Pop music. He’s spent over 11 years in the industry in a variety of sales and procurement roles, and has been dubbed by some as ‘the man who can get anything’. Whilst this is not strictly true, he has been able to find people some weird and wonderful things they didn’t think possible. In his spare time he enjoys playing videogames, baking delicious foods with too much butter and sugar, and tending to his hobby farm. Hey guys, I have home-made cookies again
Scott Schrieke

Scott Shrieke

Windows Whisperer
In spite of Scott's youthful looks and enthusiasm, Scott's been associated with our crew for many many moons. First as a gun technical support officer in NetConnect and then as one of the region's longest running tech IT and hardware operations, Serendipity Cyber Services. Still has the same Magnum PI ring tone on his phone and is still a Tech Whisperer. Can't get into that laptop? Here, let me do it :-)
Nick Shorten

Nick Shorten

Few ppl know that Nick can connect his brain to the very heart of your PC over the phone because he is the fourth dimension in trouble shooting and problem solving. He also knows how to mentally visualise the entire solar system during lunch. He is also the only member of the Nerd Herd to have a pet Venus Fly Trap on his desk Yeah no problems, I already fixed it.
Tevita Topui

Tevita Topui

CEO (LPE) and All Knowing Father of Two
Tev has had long experience with regional communities and making ICT work for them. Apple computers stand to attention when he walks into the room. The original founder of Eureka ICT, he's the COO of our expanded family. When he's not making ICT magic he's helping kids who have lost their way. This week we will do good things ... right after I get coffee.
Rachel Smolski

Rachel Smolski

Student Herder and Commander of Quiet Times

With a magical wave of her hand (figuratively, of course), she orchestrates the online examinations at our Ballarat HQ, ensuring absolute silence so that students can fearlessly conquer their academic quests.

She could hush a room full of howling banshees effortlessly. It's rumored that even a pin dropping would earn a stern glance from Rachel.

No exams? Fun tornado.Espcially when its come to talking about her beloved AFL team, The Blues. You'd think she's coaching them from her desk. The enigmatic guardian of exam tranquility and seriously vocal fan of The Blues.

Disclaimer: No banshees or team members (as far as we know) were harmed during the maintenance of exam silence.

Karen O'Toole

Karen O'Toole

Events & Examinations Plate Spinner
Self-confessed circus performer! Juggles balls and spinning plates for a living both at work and home.

Previously spent 11 years in Recruitment of the casual workforce within Education before joining the LPE team in 2021.

With LPE to keep those plates spinning, Karen looks after the project management of our events from venue bookings, client management, staffing our events, to making sure we have everything needed so that candidates have a smooth exam event.

At home the plates continue to spin looking after two little people and their busy little lives, schooling, and sporting activities.

When the plates drop at the end of the week, Karen enjoys a nice glass of red and a good movie.