MEET OUR EXPERTS /
Our People
Driven by passion, guided by expertise, united by purpose. Discover the team powering our innovation and success.
RHEINHARDT PEENS
Managing Director
Managing Director
Rheinhardt Peens is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tier 16, a specialist engineering and automation services firm delivering expert consultation across industrial operational technologies. With over 25 years of experience in industrial automation and business leadership, Rheinhardt has guided Tier 16’s growth, helping clients implement and optimise robust automation systems spanning hardware, software, and digital infrastructure. He is an experienced OT and ICS leader with strong project management skills, technical expertise in ICS/OT cybersecurity, and a track record of delivering innovative automation and infrastructure solutions while aligning client objectives and ensuring exceptional stakeholder engagement.
STEPHEN TOTH
Technical Director
Technical Director
Co-Founder and Technical Director at Tier16, with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics (Curtin University) and deep expertise in industrial control systems and OT delivery. Schneider EcoStruxure Plant–certified, specialising in PCS architecture, control systems engineering, and project QA. Leads and mentors software engineering teams while delivering scalable, reliable automation solutions. Previously held senior and lead control systems roles at Rio Tinto and Calibre.
CLAYTON DUNCAN
Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager
Clayton brings more than 12 years Australian and international experience in the energy and resources sector, supporting organisations implementing solutions that enhance operational performance, systems resilience and drive business growth. Focused on helping organisations execute strategy and achieve high‑value outcomes, Clayton builds enduring relationships and ensures clients fully capitalise on Tier16’s capabilities for maximum impact.
ROSS PARKER
Principal OT Engineer
Principal OT Engineer
Ross Parker is a Principal OT Engineer at Tier16, bringing strategic leadership and deep technical authority across industrial process control, electrical generation, and grid‑scale battery storage systems. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Intelligent Information Processing Systems from UWA. A recognised OT network and cybersecurity architect, Ross delivers high‑assurance solutions that safeguard critical infrastructure within the SOCI Act regulatory landscape. As a Schneider EcoStruxure Plant–certified specialist, he shapes advanced process control and OT network architectures for major energy assets. Ross advises executive stakeholders, mentors multidisciplinary engineering teams, and supports organisations operating in Western Australia’s Wholesale Energy Market. His career includes senior and lead engineering roles at Horizon Power, Sandvik, ThyssenKrupp, Wood Group, DTI, and ERG.
GARY EDWARD
Principal OT Engineer
Principal OT Engineer
Gary Edward is a Principal OT Engineer at Tier16, bringing a broad range of automation skills to the table – from high-level design and specification through to detailed coding, database design, testing, and commissioning. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. With over 30 years of experience, Gary has delivered PLC, SCADA, and MES solutions across diverse industrial environments and in multiple capacities. His most recent role was Senior OT Engineer at Accenture. He has extensive experience with SQL Server and various PLC platforms and is AVEVA-certified in InTouch, System Platform, Historian, and MES Performance, with Ignition SCADA certification currently in progress. Gary is passionate about building reliable, maintainable, and future-proof OT systems that effectively bridge operations and enterprise performance.