Yarra Valley Water has appointed Dr Dale Andrea as its new General Manager Service Futures, who will lead the utility’s digital transformation with a focus on enhancing customer experience and business outcomes through process and system improvements.
Dr Andrea will spearhead efforts to integrate operational technologies (OT) with information technology (IT) to generate new insights that will improve decision making and inform the development of core services.
Yarra Valley Water said Dr Andrea’s current and future-focused strategy development will enable the business to deliver effective essential services in the face of challenges such as climate change, population growth, and evolving customer needs and expectations.
Dr Andrea brings strong skills in corporate strategy and digital transformation, as well as human centred design, customer engagement and innovative program delivery.
He has significant senior executive experience and previously served as VicRoads Registration and Licensing Services Chief Information Officer, where he led the complex technology transition from a government entity into a commercial joint venture and launched the Victorian Digital Driver Licence. He also led the digitisation of customer services at the Department of Transport.
Dr Andrea’s contributions have been recognised with several awards, including a Gold Learnx Award, Gold Australian Computer Society Disruptor Award, ITS Australia Award and multiple Drivenxdesign Awards.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said the appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process and will strengthen work already underway to transform services around customers’ needs.
“We are excited to welcome Dale to our team. His extensive experience and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to transform services around the needs of our customers,” Mr McCafferty said.
“Dale is known for creating inclusive and inspirational workplaces that empower people and activate exceptional talent. This experience fits nicely with the working environment we strive for, building on our efforts over the last 20 years to create a highly constructive organisational culture. We believe his focus on agile practices and collaboration will drive continuous innovation and create enormous value for our customers and partners,” he said.
Dr Andrea said, “I am excited to join Yarra Valley Water and lead the Service Futures Group. I look forward to working with the team to provide exceptional customer services and enhance digital capabilities to promote a sustainable future.”
Featured image: Dr Dale Andrea. Image: Yarra Valley Water
