New CEO at CICA

The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has appointed Brandon Hitch as chief executive officer. Hitch takes over from Alan Marshall who is retiring.

The role is effective from 1 December 2014. Hitch has been a registered professional mechanical engineer in USA since 2009. He has also been a chartered professional engineer (mechanical) with Engineers Australia since 2013, a spokesperson added.

Hitch takes over from outgoing CEO Alan Marshall. Marshall said, “As our members know, Brandon is the current CICA Crane Safe general manager. Brandon has made a strong and valuable impact since joining CICA in 2011 as the first-ever CICA engineer on staff. Brandon is already well-respected in the Australian crane industry and is now gaining similar recognition and respect internationally through his expanded activities driving the industry and technical representation issues. I take great pride in having assisted Brandon join CICA and supported his progress, consistent with our strategic plans.”

Danny Black, CICA president, said, “On behalf of the CICA Board I wish to welcome Brandon to his new role. The Board has overseen this important CEO succession plan since last year, when we announced our decision to promote Brandon to the CEO role.

“One of CICA’s aims over the last year has been to implement our One Association project bringing the state associations together. We now have a stronger base to move forward and Brandon will help us take another big step forward. CICA has been undertaking much member research via our State of the Industry Research Project. And we know that while we have progressed CICA a long way in recent years, we still have much to do looking ahead.

“The CICA Board has this week held its latest board meeting to review our current activities, industry issues and the success of our 2014 Sydney Conference,” Black added. “And I’m excited about the many projects underway plus our plans for 2015, including the Perth Conference along with CICA hosting the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA).”

“I take this opportunity to thank Alan on behalf of the members for his management and leadership as the CICA CEO over the last 6 years, and wish him well in retirement.”

Commenting on his new role, Brandon said, “I am honoured at the opportunity to take on the leadership responsibilities with CICA. 2014 has seen a lot of changes in the Association with the initiation of the National Reference Group, the amalgamation of state associations with CICA, a new president of the Board of Directors, and Alan’s retirement.

“I look forward to continuing the momentum that has been building this year and fostering an association that is passionate about improving the industry in areas of access, inspections and maintenance, and training of existing and future personnel,” Hitch continued.