Ambassadors
The Commando Welfare Trust is proud to be supported by a network of Australian leaders.
Dallas Hodgetts
Dallas has 15 years’ experience in the Australian Defence Force, with 7 years’ service in Special Operations Command. During his ADF career, Dallas saw deployments to Afghanistan, Timor Leste, border protection operations in the north of Australia and served on the Tactical Assault Group (East).
Post service, Dallas continues to advocate for Veterans, having made submissions to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Inquiry into transitions from the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Dallas holds two university degrees, receiving a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Canberra, which saw him admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Dallas also holds a degree in Training and Development from the University of New England.
Moving from Sydney to Western Australia in 2022, Dallas is currently employed as the Principal Veteran Engagement at Roy Hill, a world class mining operation in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. In this role, Dallas supports the employment and careers of over 200 Veterans and continues to advocate for Veterans and Veteran owned businesses, working with industry leaders to develop and support Veteran employment in the resource sector.
Having proudly served in the 2nd Commando Regiment, Dallas hopes to contribute to the welfare and support of all Special Operations Command soldiers, sailors and aviators, as an Ambassador for the Commando Welfare Trust.
Ryan Tindall
Ryan’s extensive background in the Australian Army Special Forces and his diverse experience in subsequent roles make him a valuable asset to the Commando Welfare Trust.
Ryan served 13 years in the Special Forces where his time included five special operations task force deployments in Afghanistan, four deployments on personal security detachments and three counter-terrorism operations.
Highlights (among many) include participating in an offensive in East Shah Wali Kot, where he contributed to his unit being awarded Battle Honors of East Shah Wali Kot.
During his military career, Ryan served as a Non-Commissioned Officer and played a crucial role as a military instructor at the Special Forces Training School. Ryan served with pride in the 2nd Commando Regiment and additionally as the Deputy President of the Unit Trust; supporting the underlying culture of the Regiment. His intimate knowledge of the rank and file makes him well-equipped to understand all ranks and roles of Special Operations.
In his current position as Owner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Operations at Empire Protection, Ryan brings operational excellence to this specialised security management business; particularly in the Defence Industry and Personal Protection portfolios.
Ryan’s passion for community service is also commendable; visible through his volunteer work with the NSW Surf Life Saving Club, where he serves as a Senior Instructor, Patrol Vice Captain, and Duty Officer.
Ryan’s outstanding work was validated when he was recognised as Duty Officer of the Year, stemming in part from his leadership in a significant surf rescue operation during the 2019 state flood emergency. His actions in this event highlight his exceptional capabilities in high-pressure situations.
As a Trustee for the Return Services League (RSL), Ryan continues to contribute to the welfare and support of fellow commandos and veterans. His dedication to raising awareness of the sacrifices made by his commando brothers, and serving the community is evident in his multifaceted and ongoing roles and achievements.
Richard James
Richard holds a tertiary qualification in Management Science and in 2019 completed the Senior Executive MBA at Melbourne Business School. His 20-plus years’ of business experience will be an asset to supporting the growth of the Commando Welfare Trust.
With his early career focusing on the Automotive industry, Richard further developed his experience of change management in complex systems working for an Australian-based management consultancy. Richard joined SYPAQ in 2019.
Richard works predominantly from SYPAQ’s Canberra and Brisbane offices as General Manager of the Consulting division. His responsibilities span the management of SYPAQ’s Consulting Services, Managed Services and Systems Integration projects. Richard’s team specialises in Enterprise Digital Transformation, Agile Delivery and Atlassian Services, Cyber Security, Emerging Technology Integration into legacy environments and Software Application Development and Test Automation.
Richard is a member of the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) Queensland Council which focuses on being an active voice and connector for industry and government. Richard’s responsibilities on the council include participating in ICT procurement legislation for the future of jobs and the skills required for tomorrow.
Away from the office, Richard is a volunteer at his local Surf Life Saving club Nippers program that his two young daughters attend.
Reece Dewar OAM
Reece has over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Defence Force, with 12 years of service with Special Operations Command. He is highly experienced in Counter-Terrorism and Offshore Recovery Operations gained through 17 Years of training and operational deployment in the Australian Defence Force and as an advisor to the UAE Government.
Reece was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Special Operations Community.
Reece has been responsible for the development of National Level Defence and Law Enforcement Capabilities within Australia and the Middle East. He has significant experience in national security, operational management and training.
After retiring from the Australian Defence Force he has been an instructor in Leadership and Management, primary advisor for the development and employment of the UAE Special Operations, Offshore Recovery and Counter-Terrorism Company, and Operations and Training Advisor for UAE Law Enforcement, Special Operations.
Reece returned to Australia in January 2018 where he is the Managing Director of GRIFFIN Security Consultancy and Training Pty Ltd. On returning to Australia he was contracted to Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation as the Venue Security Operations Coordinator.
He holds a Diploma of Security Operations Management, Diploma of Project Management, Diploma of Leadership and Management, Diploma of Assessment and Training.
Reece was a part of Channel 10’s hit show Hunted.
Marcus Thompson, AM, PhD
He served in a variety of command, regimental and Special Operations appointments including: Command of the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment; secondment to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as the Senior Advisor Defence Policy and Operations; Director General Special Operations Capability; Commander 6th Brigade; and deployments to East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His final appointment was as the inaugural Head of Information Warfare for the Australian Defence Force.
Marcus holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with honours from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Business from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a Master of Defence Studies from the University of Canberra, a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University, and a PhD in Cyber Security from the University of New South Wales. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Since leaving the Australian Army, Marcus has founded Cyber Compass Pty Ltd, an independent advisory focused on improving cyber security and developing sovereign Australian capability. He has worked with and supported many Australian entities, including Macquarie Technology Group, ParaFlare, several major banks and financial institutions, and the Melbourne Business School. He is a Non-Executive Director of Penten, and a Non-Executive Director of Bank Australia.
Professor Ian Langford, PhD, DSC and Bars
With 30 years of experience and as a senior officer in the Australian Defence Force, Ian Langford has had the challenge and opportunity of leading large and small teams in complex and ambiguous environments.
Ian has held a range of appointments in the Army and Special Forces throughout his career. Ian commanded the 2nd Commando Regiment, as well as multiple Special Operations Task Groups in Afghanistan, Iraq, and on domestic counter-terrorism duties. Ian has also led the at the strategic level, responsible for the Army’s future strategic investments, future concepts and capabilities, major capital acquisitions and critical sustainment systems as the Head of Land Capability on two separate occasions in both 2019/20 and again in 2022.
Ian Langford’s operational service includes deployments to Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and the South-West Pacific. For his service, Ian has been awarded several Australian commendations, and the Distinguished Service Cross on three occasions. In 2019, he was appointed as an Honourary Aide de Camp to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. He was also until recently the patron of the Defence Entrepreneur’s Forum, an internationally recognised innovation pathway for young leaders as part a global defence innovation network.
Ian Langford is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Directors Course. He has also completed the Senior Executive Leadership program at the Australian National University as well as the Senior Leadership in National Security and the Senior Leadership in Government program from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Ian holds a bachelor’s degree in management, a Master of Arts, a Master of Defence Studies, a Master of Strategic Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy from Deakin University. He has been published dozens of times as an independent author, essayist and editor. In 2022, Ian retired from the Army as a Brigadier and has since formed his own advisory company, Burran Consultancy. He holds several Board positions, including a Listed Investment Company, and advises small and large firms across the private sector. He is also tenured as a full Professor at the University of New South Wales, and also the Executive Director of the Security and Defence Plus Alliance.
Sarah Cullens
In March 2020, Sarah founded Precision Public Affairs (PPA) – a boutique public affairs company based in the heart of Australia’s decision-making capital, Canberra.
PPA is a bipartisan and apolitical firm that provides our clients with a range of tailored strategies to achieve their organisational objectives including, Corporate Affairs, Bipartisan Government Relations and Public Policy, Parliamentary Protocol and Strategic Engagement, Market Access and Business Development Support.
Sarah’s expertise spans the Defence, Home Affairs, Energy, Industry, Trade, Innovation, Communications, and Health portfolios.
With ten years’ experience working at the highest level of the Australian Federal Government, including for two Prime Ministers and three Federal Ministers, Sarah has a proven understanding of the Australian regulatory environment, government policy, procedure and protocol, as well as an extensive network spanning the ministry, backbench and federal government departments. She is also a former Managing Director of Nexus Public Affairs.
In between her time on the Hill in the Australian Parliament, Sarah honed her corporate public affairs, marketing and media management skills in the Global Markets Division of Deutsche Bank and spent four years within News Corporation’s Corporate Affairs team in Sydney, working directly to the Australian Chairman, John Hartigan.
Sarah is known for her twice national award-winning program management and trusted rapport with clients and colleagues.
Sarah serves on the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) National Board and served as Vice President of the AIDN ACT Committee.
She also serves on the Board of the National Institute of Strategic Resilience. A proud Army wife, daughter, sister and granddaughter, Sarah also serves as an Ambassador for the Commando Welfare Trust, for whom she provides pro-bono government relations advice.
John Davidson
John Davidson enlisted in the Australian Army in February 1980 and underwent recruit and Infantry Initial Employment Training. During this period, he was encouraged by then LTCOL Peter Arnison, the Commanding Officer of the School of Infantry, to apply for Officer training.
He remained at Singleton for an additional three months to complete the rugby season and was fortunate enough to complete his Parachute course before posting to D Company 6 RAR.
In January 1981, John commenced Officer training and graduated into the Infantry. He served in various positions including in 5/7 RAR, the Irish Guards in Germany, and at Butterworth in Malaysia. In 1985, he was posted as a Platoon Commander to Singleton. By 1987, he successfully went through the selection and training process, leading to his posting as Adjutant of the 1st Commando Regiment in 1988.
His other SOCOMD postings included OC 2 Commando Company, SOJ7 (Training Officer HQSO), and Commanding Officer of the 1st Commando Regiment. During these roles, he contributed to Force Structure Reviews, Trade Model Reviews, Pay cases for ECN 079 and 353, and the raising of 4RAR (Cdo).
Additionally, he served as the Detachment Commander for all Counter-Terrorism events at the Police Operations Centre and subsequently the State Crisis Centres before TAG East was raised. He was also the Special Forces Liaison Officer (SFLO) in Qatar for the Afghanistan conflict and the SFLO/Planner in Tampa, Florida for the Iraq war. John’s international experience included a 12-month posting to Cambodia for UNTAC and a six-month posting to UN HQ in New York to support troop withdrawals.
After 26 years of active service, John transitioned to the reserves, where he served for another 13 years. In this capacity, he held various positions including:
- Project Officer at HQSO/SOCOMD
- SFLO to the 1st Divisional Commander
- Commanding Officer of the 1st Commando Regiment for 12 months (full-time)
- Commandant of SFTC (now SOTEC) for 12 months (full-time)
- SFLO to the Commander of the 7th Fleet for Talisman Sabres
In 1994, John founded a company named Klepper Pty Ltd, which he sold in October 2022.
Academically, John holds an MBA, a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Management, a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management, and a Bachelor of Professional Studies. He is also a Master Project Director with the AIPM.
I have been married to Fiona my wife for 42 years and have two children both Veterans. In retirement I do business mentoring and provide support to Veterans in need